Is It Ever Ok To Lie? Not!

Is it ever ok to lie? Not! Call them fibs, falsehoods, fish stories, tall tales, terminological inexactitude or whoppers, but what’s really true is that lying has become as commonplace as paper money. Have you ever lied to your boss? Don’t answer to quickly. Think about it for a moment. Is there ever a time you believe it is ok to lie on the job? Or to get a job?

According to a study by University of California, Santa Barbara professor Bella DePaulo, “people tell an average of two lies a day and that’s the ones who will admit to telling, so I think lying is an everyday behavior that probably everyone engages in.” If this is true, the challenge for you as a job seeker will be keeping up with the lies you tell.

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

4. Some people lie about why they left the organization

5. Some people lie about what they have did on the job – job responsibilities

6. Some people lie about titles

7. Some people lie about salary

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.

I have received emails and comments from readers who believe that you can get away with lying on your resume, cover letter and more. I have been told that organizations don’t do background checks. Let me respond to those naysayers who believe that lying is acceptable behavior. If you are a job seeker making a serious attempt at getting employed in this market, don’t lie about anything. Why? Because if I am right and the organization you are interviewing with verifies information you have given. I can promise you that you will continue to be unemployed. Today, organizations are much more cautious that in days and years gone by. Companies will rescind job offers if something comes up regarding your integrity. Organizations don’t have to hire you today. There is a lot of competition out there. If you lie and they find out, employers will move on to the next candidate. So, is it ever of to lie? Nope! I don’t believe you have to lie to get a job, to keep a job. If an employer threatens your employment because you won’t lie, my next question would be, why are you still working there? I leave that discussion for another day!

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