Is it a good idea to lie on a job application or resume?

Don't lie on your application or resume! What may appear right now as simply a small omission or fabrication could come back to haunt you big time down the road. Most employment applications contain some type of clause that if it is revealed that you lied about any of the information you provided then that, in and of itself, is grounds for immediate termination. It is much better to emphasize those skills that you developed, in this case while you were at the newspaper, that could be beneficial in your new sales position. For instance, perhaps while in the editorial department you were detail focused and required to meet specific deadlines. These kinds of skills could then be directly applicable to a sales position. yze your activities at the newspaper and I'll bet you can come up with lots more specific skill sets that you used or developed while you were there. As far as committing to a sales career you could always make the case that selling is practically a part of every job you've had. While it might not have been a product you were selling, maybe it was an idea for an article that you "sold" to your boss or a different, perhaps more efficient method of performing a task that you had to "sell" to colleagues, the goal is to highlight the selling skills you use in your everyday life so that a potential employer will see that these skills come naturally to you. And finally, no employer wants to hire someone who's heart is not in the job. Are you sure you want to get back into sales? Are there no alternatives that would be more satisfying to you? If you do decide to move ahead with a sales career then look at this as a stepping stone toward what you really want to be doing. Concentrate on what you can learn while you're there and how this will move you closer to the goal you ultimately desire. Try to put yourself in the position of the person making the hiring decisions. Are you the type of employee you'd want to hire? Do you have the right attitude to be productive and successful in the position? What can you offer the company that others cannot? Put things into perspective and this could be a win-win situation for you and any potential employers. Good luck.