Just ignore your stepdad. He's being useless. Job hunting is a pain, I know. And one we gotta deal with I'm afraid. Persistence is key. It's like banging your head against a wall but that's the way it goes.
In regards to "embellishing" your resume, here's the thing you gotta understand. Employers want the perfect employee, even when they know it's not what they're getting. Like it or not, the commercial job market is all about dishonesty. You're actually proving to your employers that you can sell yourself convincingly by overstating your value to them.
So here's what you gotta do. Sell yourself up - In a Convincing Manner. Above all
NEVER lie about specifics, awards you never received, volunteer work you've never done or achievements you've never made, that will get you fired or worse. But your job is to convince your employer that you are Superman. They don't want Clark Kent they want Superman and you gotta convince them that you're their chosen one. Swallow your pride and brown nose them like a champ, it's the only thing that will land you a job.
It's all a load of bull, I know. But it's how it's done.