Recruiting expert: 5 things you should lie about during interviews. Regarding job interviews, honesty is often touted as the best policy. However, according to some recruiting experts, there are certain situations where a little white lie might be in your best interest. While integrity is crucial, strategic embellishments can help you navigate the competitive job market more effectively. Here are five areas where you might consider bending the truth based on insights from industry insiders.
Recruiting expert: 5 things
1. Your Current Salary
Recruiting expert: One of the most common interview questions is about your current or previous salary. Employers often use this information to gauge how much they can offer you. However, disclosing your actual salary can sometimes put you at a disadvantage, particularly if you’re underpaid in your current role.
Why You Might Lie: Recruiting experts suggest that underreporting your current salary can lead to a better offer from your prospective employer. By stating a higher figure, you can potentially negotiate a salary that better reflects the market rate for the position you’re applying for.
How to Do It: If asked about your current salary, consider providing a range rather than a specific number. This way, you’re not outright lying and not locking yourself into a lower salary bracket. For example, instead of saying you earn $50,000, you might say, “My current salary is in the range of $55,000 to $60,000.”
Risks Involved: Be mindful that some companies might require you to provide pay stubs or other proof of your salary during the hiring process. In such cases, lying can backfire. However, it could be a risk worth taking if you’re confident this won’t happen or the employer is unlikely to check.
2. Reasons for Leaving Your Previous Job
Recruiting expert: When asked why you left your last job, honesty isn’t always the best policy, mainly if the real reason might paint you negatively. Whether you were laid off, had conflicts with your boss, or didn’t like the job, these reasons can raise red flags for potential employers.
Why You Might Lie: Experts recommend spinning your reason for leaving in a positive light. Instead of saying you were fired, you might say you were seeking new challenges or growth opportunities that weren’t available at your previous company.
How to Do It: Craft a narrative that aligns with the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a leadership role, you could say, “I left my last position because I was looking for a role where I could take on more leadership responsibilities, which is why I’m particularly excited about this opportunity.”
Risks Involved: Employers may contact your previous employer for a reference, so your story must hold up under scrutiny. Ensure your explanation is consistent with what your former employer might say if contacted.
3. Your Level of Expertise with Certain Skills
Recruiting expert: In a job interview, you may be asked about your proficiency with specific skills or software. While it’s essential to be truthful about your abilities, there may be times when exaggerating your expertise could work in your favour.
Why You Might Lie: If the job requires a skill you’re not entirely confident in but believe you can quickly learn, it might be worth overstating your current proficiency. This shows the employer that you’re capable and willing to take on the challenge.
How to Do It: When discussing your skill level, use phrases like “I’m very familiar with…” or “I have a strong foundation in…” This implies that while you may not be an expert, you’re confident in your ability to perform the tasks required.
Risks Involved: If you exaggerate too much, you might be over your head once you start the job. It’s essential to ensure you can learn the skill quickly if hired. Otherwise, your lie could be uncovered early on, leading to job dissatisfaction or termination.
4. Gaps in Employment
Recruiting expert: Employment gaps can be a red flag for employers, leading them to question your reliability or commitment. While it’s essential to have a plausible explanation for any gaps in your resume, sometimes the truth might not be the best option.
Why You Might Lie: A significant gap in employment could lead to a negative perception, even if the gap were for valid reasons like personal health, family care, or travel. You can avoid raising concerns by slightly altering the timeline or providing a more acceptable reason.
How to Do It: If you took time off to travel or handle personal matters, consider framing it as a period of “professional development” or “freelancing.” For example, “During that time, I took on freelance projects to hone my skills and keep up with industry trends.”
Risks Involved: Employers may ask for more details about your freelance work or professional development. Be prepared with specific examples or projects that you can discuss. If you lie about the reason for the gap, ensure your story is consistent and believable.
5. Your Long-Term Career Goals
Recruiting expert: Interviewers often ask about your long-term career goals to assess whether you’re a good fit for the company’s future. However, being too honest about your aspirations can sometimes work against you, especially if your goals don’t align perfectly with the company’s trajectory.
Why You Might Lie: If your true career goal is to move into a different industry or start a business, sharing this with your potential employer might make them hesitant to invest in you. Instead, framing your goals to align with the company’s interests is better.
How to Do It: Focus on the aspects of the job that genuinely interest you and align with your broader goals. For instance, “In the long term, I see myself growing within this company, taking on more responsibilities, and contributing to the team’s success.”
Risks Involved: If hired based on a false impression of your long-term goals, you may be unhappy or unfulfilled. It’s crucial to balance honesty with strategic communication to ensure that you secure the job and set yourself up for a career path that truly interests you.
Conclusion
Recruiting expert: While lying in a job interview is generally not advisable, there are situations where strategic embellishments can be beneficial. These lies should be carefully considered, ensuring they don’t compromise your integrity or set you up for failure. The key is to balance honesty with tact, presenting yourself in the best possible light while remaining true to your core values. Remember, the goal is to secure a job that aligns with your skills and career aspirations, so any embellishment should ultimately serve that purpose.
The advice from recruiting experts highlights the competitive nature of the job market and the importance of positioning yourself strategically. In the end, while a little white lie might help you land the job, it’s your skills, work ethic, and attitude that will determine your success in the long run.