8 lies people tell in interview

Lying is a cause to a means and a means to an end. A shortcut round the longer course, dishonesty can act as a trampoline to future progress and further success. Sometimes though, the trampoline breaks at its seams and you fall through onto the ground. Through your sheer desperation and desire to be hired you can irreparably damage your opportunities. The operative surge behind lying is the presumed guarantee that you will swerve away from exposure and ultimately emerge as the victor. However, that’s unlikely to occur when you lie during an interview. The individual sitting beside you is not made of cardboard, nor were they appointed to the position yesterday. The lie you are telling is immediately perceived as such, fracturing any prior chance you earned. If that hasn’t convinced you to stay honest, here are eight lies that run like a broken record player in the interview room.  

“ I get along very well with everyone. I’m a very agreeable person”

The primary issue with this sentence is that it’s so plainly a lie, in an interview or not, that it calls your entire character into question and possible disrepute. People, and acquaintances in particular, are like tectonic plates – sometimes they accept each other and sometimes they shift with devastating effect. You get along with ‘everyone’? If that’s true, you can’t be contributing all that much to your relationships. Besides all this, your placid temperament isn’t necessarily a priority at this moment in time. Looks like you’ll be seeing those people you get along so famously with a lot more from now on.

“I quit”

You could have quit. You may have had an unfortunate encounter, a change in objective or a plane ticket away. In those circumstances, say those two words with authority and clarity of mind in knowing your honesty. If you were fired (or even made redundant), explain that instead. Redundancies can be often easily accounted for by the lack of necessity and it’s your responsibility to be transparent about past faults that may have led to your dismissal if you were fired. Present the facts in a fashion that elevates you.

 “I don’t mind the travel”

Whereas the previous two lies have been destructive towards your opportunities of securing a position, this may one enhance them. That’s good, right? Not necessarily. If the travel is going to be detrimental to every other area of your life then it’s too powerful.  Don’t place yourself in a compromising position only to constantly associate work with further worries and general negativity.

 “I care about this company”

Don’t feign passion if you cannot substantiate it with information you’ve collected from research. Most interviewees skip the research and believe they can simply struggle through any queries about the company itself. Why would you research the company? Isn’t it their responsibility to discover information about you? No. They are the princes. You are the pauper.

 “I’m a good team player”

Like the first lie, this statement is likely to be dissected and proven wrong within a week. If you claim to be a good team player, ensure you make a conscious effort to continue that role when you’re provided with the opportunities to defend your words. Your contributions to interviews aren’t only projected to cling onto a job; they are expected to be maintained throughout the rest of your tenure.

“My ex-boss and I had a great relationship”

Your relationships with acquaintances define your profile in the eyes of your prospective new employers. Companies are propelled by their personnel and how they connect. In an ideal situation, you would have enjoyed an excellent and fruitful relationship with your boss. If you haven’t, however, don’t lie about it. Explain your differences. Your boss will be contacted in any case so any dishonesty will be exposed at once.

“I’m not good at tests”

Your academic results will often be referenced when you apply for a new position. Being honest about these results will improve your chances as it expresses accountability and reflection, both valuable tools in business. If you didn’t perform highly academically, use your previous weakness to initiate a conversation about your own growth and how your work experience has taught you to improve your deficiencies. Lying is also indicative of a lack of confidence, a skill often touted as extremely valuable in the workplace. Tell the truth, then talk.

“I never gossip”

Finally, this is a lie that is at once unnecessary and irrelevant. Unless the issue is directly addressed, which is highly unlikely, don’t delve into workplace undercuts. This displays a lack of engagement with the primary objective and a mind that is focused on topics other than the prospective position and the work it implies. Remember that occasionally silence is better than honesty. Don’t introduce any topics unless they will evidently improve your chances.

What next? – Well if your current resume is not getting you to interview to allow you to tell the truth send it to me for a free confidential no obligation assessment [email protected]  

Following my last article I gave free advice to a number of people who were appreciative of my frank and honest response

GL said   "Thank you for your review and critique. I believe that this is the best, most constructive and honest opinion I have received on my resume to date, it is tremendously appreciated"

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