Lying in an Interview is Unacceptable
August 31, 2008 by Darlene McDaniel
Filed under Jobs
This morning I had the privilege of meeting with a new coaching client. She has been looking for a job for a long time and has been unsuccessful. In the course of our conversation we discussed whether she has been fired. Turns out she has been fired in the distant past.
The problem is she has not answered the question truthfully when asked in an interview. Albeit, it was more than 10 years ago. But the bottom line is the answer to the question is YES! I know she is not the only person who has ever lied about being fired. Given the job search climate these days, people will do just about anything to get a decent job – accept tell the truth! Truth telling is an absolute. It is absolutely necessary to tell the truth even when it may cost you the job opportunity. I know that is very difficult to swallow. But lying in an interview is unacceptable. Maybe you don’t think so, but I am telling you it will cost you dearly if you get caught lying.
If you have been fired for cause tell the truth. If you have been fired and it was unjust tell the truth. Despite the situation, don’t make up a story, don’t avoid the truth (that’s lying by the way). Even if it is embarrassing, tell the truth. I know it is not easy. Somewhere inside of us, we think if we can get away with lying it will be better for us, we will save face and move forward. But lies have a way of catching up with us.
A Few Tips:
1. Don’t share all of the gory details. Brevity is better.
2. Always include the lessons learned from the experience.
3. Avoid the Shame/Blame Game.
4. Handle your emotions about the situation so that anger and tears do not manifest during the interview.
5. Practice what you will say – alot, so that you don’t stumble through telling what happened.
If you need additional assistance, I am available by email or phone. Check out Additional Resources on my sidebar to the right – Help If You’ve Been Fired.
So what do you if the company that fires you for misconduct varifies only employment and employment dates to another potential employer? What if you want to get an honest second chance? Would telling all prevent you from getting any employment?
Any advise as to what to say? In this case a cashier asked another cashier to do a small markdown. Customers always were granted a markdown so the cashier thought is was for everyone. How can that cashier who was fired for asking to do the markdown ever ask again for another job? She would never steel or ever do what she did again. Telling the truth would never ever give her the opportunity for another chance. But if she tried, what would you say in the application and at the interview?
Hi Eva,
Thank you for stopping by bizzia Careers! See my responses to your question below!
So what do you if the company that fires you for misconduct verifies only employment and employment dates to another potential employer? What if you want to get an honest second chance? Would telling all prevent you from getting any employment?
Getting an “honest second chance” means be honest with the potential employer. You do not need to give all of the details of the termination. If the potential employer asks if you were terminated, an “honest” answer is “yes”. If they don’t ask, don’t volunteer the information. But do not mislead or lie if they ask you a direct question. Telling all may prevent you from getting some jobs, but it will not prevent you from getting a job. Lying about what happened and them finding out later makes it more difficult in the future.
Any advise as to what to say? In this case a cashier asked another cashier to do a small markdown. Customers always were granted a markdown so the cashier thought is was for everyone. How can that cashier who was fired for asking to do the markdown ever ask again for another job? She would never steel or ever do what she did again. Telling the truth would never ever give her the opportunity for another chance. But if she tried, what would you say in the application and at the interview?
If the cashier asked for a markdown and was terminated, this same cashier can get a job. Every potential organization may not want to hire this cashier however someone will. It is not a “horrible” issue, but it does create a question about integrity. Whether you or the cashier knew it or not, if the price was one thing, and you asked for another, that is a question of integrity. It is not impossible to overcome this situation and get another job.
Darlene
What should I suggest to a friend who has been laid off? What should he say on the employment application as to the reason for leaving?
Help! What should I put on the application that has long gaps of employment?
Help! What should do if you take just a small number of college courses at a time. You dedicate full time to doing a good through job in studying for these courses but doing so is a full time job. The number of chapters to read for each assignment makes it so. Now on your application for employment there now exists a long time gap. How should you explain this?
Hi Joan,
My response I just gave to Jim would apply here. The college classes are what you are doing. That information does not belong on an application or a resume, except under “Education” “Some College. But as far as the reason for the gap, you would explain that in the interview not on a resume, in a cover letter or on an application. If they are asking why you have long gaps and they want that information on an application, than tell the truth. “I was in school and it required long hours, etc….”
Darlene
Hi Jim,
I apologize for the delay in responding to your comment. My only recommendation is the truth. If you have not been working and you have long gaps, you need to include the gaps. The interview is where you really need to be able to speak to the gaps. The application should represent your true work history no matter how many gaps or how long the gaps.
Darlene