Vault: She Lied Her Resume. Now She's Being Called to the Boss's Office.

Summary

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The Bert Show – Vault: She Lied Her Resume. Now She's Being Called to the Boss's Office.

Date: March 26, 2026
Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and callers
Central Guest: Katie

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Episode Overview

In this dramatic episode, The Bert Show discusses the fallout from a listener, Katie, who admitted to fabricating almost her entire resume to secure a job. Now, after just a month at her new position, her boss has called her to a meeting—with her resume in hand—and Katie is dreading what comes next. The cast, along with passionate callers, dissects the ethics, anxieties, and desperate job market realities at play.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Katie’s Situation Unveiled (00:52–06:44)

• Katie’s Admission: Katie reveals she lied extensively on her resume—claiming a bachelor’s degree in business when she really has an associate’s degree in accounting, inventing a fake company in Salt Lake City (as its ‘marketing director’), and making up freelance marketing experience.
  • Quote: “Pretty much everything on it.” – Katie (02:08)
• Reference Faking: She also faked references to match her fabricated experience.
  • Quote: “I just kind of, like, looked at my area code and Salt Lake City and just kind of, like, made up a number…” – Katie (05:18)
• Motivation: Katie justifies her actions by the desperation of a prolonged job search and feeling like she had “nothing to lose.” (05:40)
• Hosts’ Reaction: The show’s cast oscillates between curiosity, mild judgment, and comedic disbelief.
  • Quote: “Could you point to Utah on a map?” – Radio Host (03:48)

2. Legal and Practical Fallout (06:44–07:50)

• HR Caller – Deb: A caller working in HR clarifies that, unless Katie lied on an official application form, resumes aren't legal documents. But, as Georgia (the job location) is an ‘at will’ state, she can be terminated for almost any reason.
  • Quote: “Unless she lied on the actual application, a resume is not a legal document, and the employer would have no recourse.” – Deb (06:47)
• Katie Confesses Further: Under questioning, Katie admits she did also fabricate details on the application itself.
  • Quote: “I said I had a bachelor’s degree. I can't. I'm sorry. Now, thinking back on it, it seems like such an idiotic idea…” – Katie (07:35)

3. Why Now? Hosts and Listeners Speculate (07:50–10:19)

• Performance Concerns: The cast and callers speculate that maybe her performance at work led HR to scrutinize her credentials.

• Advice Given: The show discusses whether Katie should immediately confess or remain silent and "absorb the punch" first, since she doesn't know the real reason for her meeting.

  • Quote: “If I were you... absorb the punch first before I start confessing everything because it may be something totally different. Who knows?” – Radio Host (09:54)

4. Call-In Segment – Audience Response (08:12–13:18)

Mixed and Heated Responses:

• Callers express anger:
  • Chris (08:14): "I do think she deserves what’s coming to her… she scammed this company and misrepresented her qualifications."
• Another caller (Chloe, 10:45):
  • Vents frustration about doing "everything right" (working two jobs and going to school) yet struggling to get employment, feeling it’s unfair someone can skip the line by fabricating credentials.
• Amber (12:10):
  • Shares her own struggle: “I paid $35,000 a year to go to school to get a business degree, and I’m a receptionist at a car dealership because I can’t find a job.”
• Hosts reflect: They note the recession and tough job market may be fueling the extra venom in these calls.
  • Quote: “Because of the recession and everybody’s struggling... we’re getting more venomous calls than we would.” – Radio Host (12:47)

Some Sympathy & Dark Humor:

• Co-host attempts levity: “You stretch the truth or even make crap up so you can be employed. And I admire that.” – Caller 2 (13:02)
• Encouragement to own it: “Go out like Braveheart... you may get an advertising job out of it eventually.” – Caller 1 (13:23)

5. Katie’s Reflection & What Happens Next (10:19–13:41)

• Katie’s Dilemma: She’s tempted to continue the lie but is wrestling with whether there's any possibility of keeping her job.
  • “Is there any way that they’re gonna let me stay on?” – Katie (10:40)
• Hosts’ Prognosis: They bluntly tell her the outcome is all but inevitable (“In a word. No.” – Radio Host, 10:40), but insist Katie report back after the meeting.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [02:08 | Katie]: “Pretty much everything on it.”
• [03:48 | Radio Host]: “Could you point to Utah on a map?”
• [06:47 | Deb]: “Unless she lied on the actual application, a resume is not a legal document, and the employer would have no recourse.”
• [07:35 | Katie]: “I said I had a bachelor’s degree. I can’t. I’m sorry. Now, now, thinking back on it, it seems like such an idiotic idea…”
• [10:40 | Radio Host]: “In a word. No. No, it’s probably not gonna happen.”
• [12:10 | Amber]: “I paid $35,000 a year to go to school to get a business degree, and I’m a receptionist at a car dealership because I can’t find a job.”
• [13:23 | Hosts]: “Go out like Braveheart...”

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Important Timestamps

• 00:52 – 04:42 — Katie reveals her resume fabrications in detail.
• 06:44 – 07:50 — HR advice on the legal implications of resume lies.
• 08:12 – 13:02 — Emotional listener call-ins with strong opinions and real-life stories.
• 10:19 – 10:40 — Strategies on whether to confess or wait for the confrontation.
• 13:37 – 13:41 — Show promises to follow up with Katie after her meeting.

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Tone & Takeaway

The conversation strikes a balance of humor, honesty, and biting criticism. The mood transitions from shock and banter among the hosts to outright anger and moral outrage from listeners. Katie is both vilified and pitied, exemplifying the difficult, often desperate job market. The show ends unresolved, with Katie bracing for the outcome and the cast promising a future update.

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For listeners: This episode is a candid look at job market desperation, ethical lines, and what happens when a little resume "embellishment" snowballs out of control. If you’ve ever wondered how workplaces, HR, and peers react to résumé lies, this is a can’t-miss conversation.

Transcript

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Radio Host]

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[Katie]

Okay.

[Radio Host]

But she's got a meeting today that she is really not looking forward to. Your boss calls you up and says, look, can we get together for a couple of minutes and why don't you bring your resume?

[Caller 1]

Oof.

[Thrive Cosmetics Announcer]

Oh.

[Radio Host]

Have you guys ever had a boss ask you to bring your resume to a meeting?

[Katie]

No.

[Caller 2]

And you know what I think? I think the. Because if it's good news or whatever, like, isn't it? Come in here right now. But if the boss is mad at you, that's when he pulls the let's talk tomorrow.

[Radio Host]

And bring your resume after you've only been there for a month and you know, you light on it. I mean, the writing's on the wall. Hey, Katie. Good morning.

[Katie]

Hi. How are you? Hi. I'm not good.

[Radio Host]

What time's the meeting scheduled for today?

[Katie]

At 10.

[Radio Host]

10 o'. Clock.

[Caller 1]

What time do you have to get in the office?

[Katie]

Nine. Nine.

[Caller 1]

That first hour.

[Radio Host]

That's terrible.

[Katie]

Yeah. Well, just the overnight anxiety. When did you find out about it? Like, you know, like yesterday. See the anxiety of that?

[Radio Host]

And then once you get to the office at 9 o', clock, you're sure everybody is staring at you in the office. Nobody is. But you're sure everybody that goes by you is judging. And they all know.

[Katie]

Yeah, I'm sure that they will do. That's the thing. Like, you know, I'm sure that they will be looking at me.

[Caller 1]

How. How fabricated is your resume?

[Katie]

Pretty much everything on it.

[Caller 2]

So let's go. Can we go category by category? Like what, what. What is your level of education and in real life and what Is the level of education on your resume?

[Katie]

Well, first of all, I. Let me just say, like, I did this out of desperation. Okay.

[Caller 2]

Like, we're not judging yet. We're just asking. We're just fact finding.

[Radio Host]

Yeah, give us a minute before we judge.

[Caller 2]

Yeah, we're not gonna judge you. Yeah, like this might be more of a big deal. So what would you say you got your degree in marketing when you really got a degree in pr?

[Katie]

No, I put on my resume that I had a bachelor's degree in business when I have a two year accounting degree, actually. Okay, so you have an associate's. Yeah.

[Caller 2]

I mean, all right, that's only two years of school. No big deal.

[Katie]

Okay.

[Caller 2]

And different. And different concentrations. No worries at all.

[Caller 1]

And I'm. And I'm assuming different colleges.

[Katie]

Yeah. Oh, yes.

[Radio Host]

Probably not even close.

[Caller 1]

I went to the Harvard Business School,

[Radio Host]

which was really Georgia Perimeter. What else is on that resume? That's not 100%.

[Katie]

I made, you know, I wanted. I wanted to see, kind of. I made up a company and said that I was the marketing director of IT And Salt Lake City. I don't know. I don't know why. I don't know why I chose Salt Lake City. It just, you know, seemed, really. Seemed far away. So I just made up. Made up a company.

[Caller 2]

Have you ever lived in Salt Lake City?

[Katie]

No. No.

[Radio Host]

Could you point to Utah on a map?

[Katie]

Yes, hopefully. I don't know, we'll see somewhere near Cali.

[Caller 1]

And you were marketing director?

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Caller 2]

And the company does exist or you completely made up the company too?

[Katie]

No, I completely made it up.

[Caller 1]

You know, very creative.

[Katie]

I also, I also said that I freelanced, you know, with the. For some online companies, you know, like, you like marketing and I freelanced. But really, I mean, honestly, all I've really done is, if I were to be completely honest, is probably say that I've interned for, you know, like a company, you know, like a marketing area.

[Radio Host]

So 99% of your resume is completely fabricated. Completely made up.

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Caller 1]

Did you have any references? Did it get to that point where that you actually had to provide them references?

[Katie]

I did. You know, I gave him references, but I don't think that anybody actually checked, though. I didn't think. So I sent them my resume and then they called me in for an interview and we interviewed and I had a great interview and then I got the job. So I didn't think it was going to be a problem. I really didn't think that anybody checked references. That's what I.

[Caller 1]

That's where I Think that people have been tipped off, depending on. I mean, unless you had friends that were going to cover for you that you use as references. Or did you. Who did you put as your references?

[Katie]

I just, again, it sort of went along with, like, the company in Salt Lake City, and I just kind of, like, looked at my area code and Salt Lake City and just kind of, like, made up a number, which clearly

[Caller 2]

was your thought when you did this. Kind of like, I'm going to make everything up. I'm going to put everything out there. If they call the resumes and it's false, or references and it's false, and so be it. If they Google it, whatever, I don't get the job. I don't have the job now anyways.

[Katie]

And, mean, I had nothing to lose. I've been looking for a job for two years in Atlanta, you know, and so I got this. And they got this great opportunity in Tampa because my friend knows. I mean, she, like, is aware of the companies, you know, and it's. It's just hard to get your foot in the door.

[Radio Host]

Of course, I mean, you can justify it, sure. But the bottom line is the bottom line before I take these calls, because they are Streaming in now. 404, 741Q100. Let me just try to connect some dots. You said you've only been there a month, right?

[Katie]

Yeah.

[Radio Host]

And have things gone well? Because I'm just trying to figure out why after you're there, they would go back and start checking your references and check over your resume, because something must have happened to tip somebody off that something's not right.

[Katie]

I don't know. I really felt like I was doing a very good job, you know, and it was. It was a little rough start because, again, like, I really didn't have that much experience in the field. I mean, I, you know, I was a really good intern when I interned, and it wasn't completely new, and I did, you know, I'm doing my best. I honestly, that's why I'm so freaked out, because I felt like the month has gone really well, actually.

[Radio Host]

Good morning, Deb. You are part of the Burt Show. Hi.

[Katie]

Good morning. I work in hr. And unless she lied on the actual application, a resume is not a legal document, and the employer would have no recourse. Unless she actually lied on the application itself.

[Caller 2]

Sure she would have.

[Radio Host]

What do you mean, no recourse?

[Katie]

Yeah, well, as far as Georgia is a right to work state, so the employer can basically terminate her for any reason anyhow, that's recourse that is recourse. But as far as. Exactly. Exactly. Unless she actually lied on the application and signed it, they don't have any legal.

[Caller 2]

But what if it says on the application, please attach your resume.

[Katie]

The resume is still not a legal document.

[Radio Host]

It's separate. Did you lie on the application also, Katie?

[Katie]

Well, yeah, I mean, I sort of printed, you know, I printed what I had. Yeah, I mean, I said, I said I had a bachelor's degree. I can't. I'm sorry. Now, now, thinking back on it, it seems like such an idiotic idea, but it was.

[Radio Host]

Landed you the gig. Yeah.

[Caller 1]

I wonder if you said you had a rough start because you're figuring, you're, you know, figuring things out and of course it's only been a few weeks that you've been on the job. I'm wondering if they noticed that she was having a rough start and thought that maybe that's when they would call the references. Well, let's call this old company and see.

[Radio Host]

See how they handled her.

[Caller 1]

Yeah. See, why is she having a problem? And then they realized that something was wrong.

[Radio Host]

Chris, good Morning. You're on Q100. Hi.

[Katie]

Good morning. Hi. I just wanted to say that, I mean, as mean as it sounds, I do think that she deserves what's coming to her. Just because when it comes down to it, in the end she scammed this company and she lied about. She misrepresented her qualifications and the company hired her based on that misrepresentation and now it's coming back to bite her. So I really think that she's going to get what she deserves in the end.

[Radio Host]

Productive call.

[Caller 1]

That's good to know about the school, though.

[Caller 2]

Are you in a. Did we already ask her if she's in a management position now?

[Radio Host]

Katie?

[Katie]

No. Yeah. Well, I mean, it's sort of like a mid level management and not, you know, I don't have that. I don't have that much power. But it's a really, it's like a very good salary compared to obviously making what I was making, you know, at Starbucks.

[Caller 2]

Is it similar to the, Is it similar to, I guess, is it similar to the fictitious job that you described on your resume for that?

[Katie]

Well, yeah, because I tailored, I tailored that on my resume to what I was applying for. So it looks like I had a lot more experience.

[Radio Host]

Well, here's the bottom line as it pertains to the listeners calling in. You've got. You're a sitting duck. I mean, when you walk in there, what's gonna happen to you? Is what's gonna happen to you and there's really nothing you can do.

[Caller 1]

I think you should own it. Like, I seriously, I mean, in normal circumstances, I mean, because there's a lot of people that lie on their resumes to try to get a job. And I do think in this economy, I think you have to own it. And when they confront you on it, I wouldn't be, you know, teary eyed and scared about it to say, you know what, own it. And say I was creative on it because I really wanted to work for this company and focus. I mean, because you're gonna get fired anyway. Sometimes you just have to, you know what? Screw it.

[Radio Host]

We have taken calls before also where people are scheduled for a meeting and as soon as they sit down with the supervisor, they just throw up all the information before the supervisor says what the problem is and they end up getting fired for something that they, the supervisor really wasn't sitting them down for. So if I were you, I think the advice that I would give is a absorb the punch first before I start confessing everything because it may be something totally different. Who knows?

[Katie]

I mean, like, honestly, I, you know, I thought about, you know, I wanted to email you guys because my first instinct is just to like, keep the lie. Do you know what I mean? Like, grab it, hold it and like, just, just as much as I can, you know, go down the sinking ship. But I'm trying to think in my mind if there's any way, any way that they're gonna let me stay on.

[Radio Host]

Yeah, in a word. In a word. No. No, it's probably not gonna happen. Hey, Chloe. Good morning.

[Katie]

Hi. I think this girl should be fired because I go to school full time for the past four years and I work two part time jobs and I get about five hours of sleep a night and I bust my butt to do this every single day. And for her to lie on a resume and get a job like that. Everybody's looking for a job and you know, if she's not qualified, she should not have the job.

[Caller 2]

Well, I don't think you should be. I mean, you sound angry and I think I am.

[Katie]

I mean, like, you know, I was like, I worked a full time, you know, at a terrible job. Just wait till you graduate. Just like, I don't care. Just wait till you graduate and you can't get a real job. And then, then we'll see. Then talk to me about it. Okay? Like, don't, don't judge me right now. Okay, I'm gonna judge you. You're like you're doing something wrong. I bust my butt every single day to find a good job, and you're sitting there lying on your whole resume, and then you just think it's okay. I was using my resume for two years and it didn't work. You know what I mean? Like, then go out and do some other stuff to make it better. Oh, I tried. That's what I was trying to do. I was trying to get another job. It doesn't matter. You still lied and you're not qualified for it. I was, I was doing okay. I was doing an okay job. I, you know, I wasn't like, perfect because I didn't know, but I honestly was doing like, a good job. So that's, that's really, for me, the name, not the worst, but that's one of the worst things about it is that I, I thought that I was doing this job really well.

[Radio Host]

Most are really. Most are really, really mad at you. Hey, Amber. Go ahead.

[Katie]

Hi. I just want to say I'm so pissed off because. Can I say that I'm sorry. I'm mad because I have a four year degree from Mercer, which is in macon. I paid $35,000 a year to go to school to get a business degree, and I'm a receptionist at a car dealership because I can't find a job. Mm. And it makes me mad. Like, go be a receptionist for a few years and then go back to school and then you'll have the right to get the job. I was waitressing and working at Starbucks. My waitress still. I still waitress. I have two jobs. I waitress at night. I'm here at 7:30 in the morning to open a dealership, and I waitress at night. It sucks. And I have a degree.

[Radio Host]

I think if we take this call a couple of years ago, that the passion that we would take from our listeners would be very different than it is today. But I think because of the recession and everybody's struggling and everybody seems to be in the same place, that we're getting more venomous calls than we would. You know what I'm saying?

[Caller 2]

Katie, I appreciate your creativity and your commitment to getting a job in this economy. You know what? Some people who just sit around and remain unemployed, but not you, you stretch the truth or even make crap up so you can be employed. And I admire that.

[Radio Host]

Jeff is a champion of stretching the truth and making things up.

[Caller 1]

Right now, you know you're gonna get fired. And so that's why I say just go in there and own what you did.

[Radio Host]

Have some dignity.

[Caller 1]

Absolutely.

[Radio Host]

Go out like Braveheart.

[Caller 1]

You may get an advertising job out of it eventually. Oh well, she can write a great resume. Maybe she can write a great ad.

[Caller 2]

You know, advertising that'll really set people off. People lose their mind.

[Radio Host]

Hey Katie, can we at least talk to you over the next couple of days to find out what happened in that meeting today?

[Katie]

Yeah, man. Yeah, sure.

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