Why You Should Not Lie During Job Interviews

Everyone lies. The last U.S. administration lied to justify  its attack on Iraq. Companies lie to employees. Politicians lie to the public. There is nothing wrong with lying to get a job you know you can do. You may also be tempted to lie in a job interview if it might win you the job, but it’s never a good idea.

It’s really not OK to lie in a job interview. Your lies can stop you from getting the job you want and come back to haunt you. We know some people lie because they are nervous or because they really want the job. But it is never good to lie, although you don’t have to tell the whole story. For example, if you left your last job because you didn’t get along with your boss, you don’t have to say this, because it might not put you in the best light. So ask yourself why you didn’t get along with your boss. Perhaps he refused to consider you for promotion. Then you could say that you left your last job because it didn’t offer you an opportunity to develop your career.

I don’t think employers expect people to lie or find it acceptable when they do, although they might expect some embellishment. But skilled employers will use an interview to find out the truth. It is easier to be caught than you might think. And if they find out that you lied, they will probably give the job to someone else and keep a copy of your resume with a note saying that you lied. This will likely prevent the firm from considering you for future positions. Also, if, after hiring you, an employer finds out that you lied, there is a good chance you will get fired. If you lied about a qualification you didn’t have and caused any risk as a result, the company may also take legal action against you. For example, if you lie about your qualifications if other people’s futures or lives depend on your competence (to get a job as a doctor, a lawyer, or an airline pilot). Lying in such professions is inexcusable.

Instead of trying to find ways to lie at an interview, focus on finding a means to answer questions truthfully, but in such a way that it makes you look good. Find out about the firm and the position you want. Then, when you go for the interview, talk about your strengths and what you can bring to the company. If you are not right for a job, it is better to be honest about this than it is to lie and end up in trouble. Employers are likely to be impressed by your honesty and remember you in a favorable light. And if a job becomes available that matches your skills, they may offer it to you.

You may or may not get away with lying at a job interview, but it is never worth the risk. In this weak economy, there are more competitors than ever for every job. Employers are doing more through background checks and interviews to find the perfect employee. They are under a lot of pressure, because if they hire someone who lied about their qualifications, they could later be accused of negligent hiring and get in trouble. Companies value integrity. Clever candidates will use this to their advantage by telling the truth and landing the jobs they want.