Do You Dare Lie?
June 1, 2009 by Darlene McDaniel
Filed under Jobs
Do you dare lie on your resume, or in your interview? I am amazed at how easy it is for people to lie about their credentials, about their work or life experience and then when caught, they either attempt to perpetuate the lie or they get angry for the exposure. I am publishing this post I wrote back in July 2007. With some additional
information added. As a coach, I am asking you not to lie. Don’t lie on your resume, don’t lie on applications. Don’t lie in an interview. Don’t lie about anything. It will not serve you in this market.
Unfortunately, today we have redefined our definition of lying. According to Merriam-Webster, a lie is defined:
to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
to create a false or misleading impression
Here are some questions people may ask themselves:
1. Is it a lie if you make a false statement that you believe to be true?
2. Is it a lie if you make a false statement, you know the statement is false, in order to deceive?
3. Is stretching the truth lying?
When it comes to the hiring process, from completing the application to the interview, from the first day of employment to the last day, you have a responsibility to operate from integrity. To be honest in all that you do and say.
Here are some common things people “stretch the truth” about in the hiring process:
1. Some people lie about where they have worked in the past
2. Some people lie about the dates of employment
3. Some people lie about where and when they attended college
Lying by its definition should not be an option you choose when applying for jobs, during your interview or during your employment. Most companies spend a lot of money verifying your information, especially information included in your resume and cover letter and on their application. Don’t erode your chances for employment by lying.
As I have been answering questions on LinkedIn over the last few days, I am amazed at how many people are willing to tell “a little white lie” in order to buy more time when an organization calls to do an initial screening or phone interview. When an organization calls you about an interview. If you are not prepared to speak to them, say so. Reschedule the interview. Understand that in order to reschedule that interview, there is no need to lie. But understand that in this market your lack of preparation may cost you the opportunity. The consequences for choosing to lie may be greater in this market than in the past.
Remember: If you tell an untruth, make a false statement knowingly or not, if you stretch the truth, then by definition, you are lying. Period!
Image Credit: sxc.hu
Is it considered lying to solely focus on the positive side of what you’ve accomplished in your profession, while ignoring mistakes that you’ve made during previous jobs?
Also, what if an application asks you if you’ve ever used drugs, but it was a really long time ago?
Hi Jewel,
Thanks for visiting and asking great questions.
1. Your first question – No it wouldn’t be a lie if you did not speak about mistakes made in your previous jobs. I would tell you, that while it may be difficult to discuss mistakes you have made, it is also lost opportunity, potentially great information to share. Especially, if you have grown and learned from those mistakes. Check out my book review section. There is a book by Ron Fry that will help you strengthen your interviewing skills. It is called 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions.
2. If an application asks, have you ever used drugs and you have, whether it is a long time ago or not, you should answer yes. Most employers do not come right out and ask the question. Typically, they will say something to this affect, “…is firmly committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Consistent with that objective, offers of employment may be conditioned upon passing a drug test…” Most are interested in ensuring that employees are drug free today, rather than what they did in their youth.
Again, thanks for the questions. I may take some time and discuss the drug screening in a future post.
I remember lying in an interview one time. The interviewer first told me that the company was a smoke-free environment and then aseked would I have a problem with that? I said “no” because I did not smoke. (LIE) He looked at me a minute and then ended the interview nice and polite with “we will call you for another interview with the department manager” (LIE). He never called and it was not until years later,when I quit smoking, that I realized cigarette smoke lingers in your clothes especially when smoking on the way to an interview with a trench coat on and the windows rolled up:) Needless to say liars never prosper!
I think this is a great way to solicit business.
Adonna – Thanks for visiting and sharing your story. Can I use your story in a future post? It is a great story for candidates to hear. Something as simple as smoking a cigarette, and lying about it can get in the way. And really, it probably wasn’t the fact that you smoked. He was genuinely interested in finding out if you could live with it in the work environment. The part we forget, is the lying, no matter what the issue, creates a “question mark” in the minds of the potential employer. “If you lie about the cigarette smoking, what else will you lie about?” What else have you been “dishonest” about? Needless to say, I know you have moved well past that teachable moment in your life and are prospering tremendously! Thanks!
Hi Cheryl – Thanks for visiting. Can you expound on your comment about soliciting business?
I must say a lie is a lie. If it is not the truth then it must be a lie.
Hi Jennifer – Thanks for visiting. I wonder, is there ever a time when a lie is the truth? Probably depends on who is defining what truth is…
I believe that lies catch up with people and the more lies you tell the more you continue to tell because you have to cover the first set of lies. So being honest, even though painful at times ALWAYS pays off. When lies are uncovered the liar loses the only thing that can’t be brought or sold..their integrity.
Thanks for visiting Gabbriel! Integrity is much like lying and telling the truth. Either you have it or you don’t. Which is why it is so important for people to understand by choosing to lie, they choose not to be a person of integrity no matter how much they justify the lie as necessary.