Just the facts, candidates, on resumes

"We're not talking about truth, we're talking about something that seems like truth - the truth we want to exist."

In 2005, humorist Stephen Colbert introduced the word "truthiness" during the premiere episode of "The Colbert Report." His definition above describes his replacement for truth, a term he had planned to use in the broadcast but determined was not ridiculous enough for his brand of political satire.

It's also a concept that has found a home amid this year's election campaigning. Already we've seen that the truths some candidates want to exist about themselves may not necessarily correspond with reality. Such falsehoods, even seemingly innocuous ones, are a disservice to themselves and the people they wish to serve.

Those who run for office - and anyone applying for a job - know that self-promotion is a necessary part of the game. It's about putting your best foot forward. Human resources workers commonly deal with job seekers who bend the truth and embellish their accomplishments. A 2004 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management showed more than half of employers found inconsistencies on resumes in areas like previous employment and criminal records.

It's stunning to think this is happening in the digital age, when job candidates certainly must be aware that Internet searches can check awards, education, length of service and job titles. In addition, Illinois' Freedom of Information law offers the public access like never before, including negative records absent from resumes.

The heightened risk of getting caught also should be obvious to candidates for public office, but some still find it difficult to accept that they are not what they dream themselves to be. The temptation to alter or omit the truth is powerful.

Recently, Senate candidate Mark Kirk learned the hard way about the importance of a clean resume. It turns out the military award that he had claimed for years as his own belonged to his entire unit. Then his opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, had his own slice of humble pie after a false claim that he was a board member of a banking group was pointed out.

In many cases, lying begets more lying, and those lies tend to grow until they are as plain as the nose on one's face. Yet the ability to admit wrongdoing or mistakes is a measure of the kind of integrity needed in leaders. Those who choose public service must know how to face their blemishes. This year's candidates will have enough challenges once they get the job.

People seek office for a variety of reasons, and we'd like to believe most of them are well-intentioned. Still, truthiness is bound to creep into fliers, interviews and online questionnaires. The public has no tolerance for exaggerations and misstatements. Good governance requires that, when the votes are counted, upfront and honest candidates are left standing.