5 Lies Job Candidates Tell During Interviews

A hiring process is a high-pressure, high-stakes audition. With all the questions being fielded, there are also the lies job candidates tell during interviews. Did you know that 78% of individuals have lied or considered lying during a job interview?

Here are the five common lies that job candidates tell:

1. Qualification, certifications, education and skills

There are many ways to verify education credentials and certifications, yet people still lie about it during the job interview.

Every job post highlights particular requirements for education and experience, as decided by recruiters and hiring managers. For instance, some roles require a bachelor's degree and three to five years of experience, while others require only SPM-level education but with more experience.

When a candidate lies about their experience or degree, it's generally because they want to assure that they are still considered for the job, especially for entry-level roles that want candidates to have at least five years of experience (does it make sense?).

An SHRM study found that 92% of employers use background checks during the interview process. So if the candidate is a type of person that would go as far as creating a fake certificate or degree, it is not so hard to catch them in their lie.

2. Telling interviewers that the candidate has always wanted to work for the company

When the interviewer asks why the candidate wants to work for the company, they usually describe why they love the company and how they have always wanted to be a part of it. But there must be more to it, right?

If that is all the candidate says, without any facts to back up their reasoning, we can tell they are lying. For example, a candidate should not say that they always wanted to work for a company when they don't know its goals and mission.

Yet, these lies still happen because people know that companies want workers who align with their goals. In these circumstances, their primary goal is to get the job.

3. Exaggerating one's salary

When a job seeker is prepared to find a new position, one crucial factor is to get a higher salary than the one they have.

Everyone wants the salary they deserve, a salary based on their experience, knowledge, and skills acquired throughout their career. So when the interviewer asks them, "What was your last salary?", many candidates embellish to ensure they receive that higher wage.

For instance, a candidate tells the hiring manager their salary was RM5,000 per month when it was only RM4,500. That is quite a significant jump, but they probably decided it's worth the risk.

4. What happened at the candidate's previous job

Were they dismissed or let go, or did they resign? Whatever happened at their last job, a candidate must be honest about it in the job interview.

As a potential employer, one must contemplate a candidate's employment, qualifications and skills. The hiring manager should always connect with previous employers to know more about the candidate's experience there.

Usually, the candidate's former employer will share their employment dates, their time there and vaguely explain why they left or were dismissed.

The candidate's ex-boss will not tell everything in detail since they may fear being sued. Though they might not reveal the entire story, there are ways hiring managers can uncover the truth about the candidate's departure.

5. "I'm a people person"

Typically, introverts and those who claim not to like people tell this lie, especially when the interview is in person.

A huge part of growing and succeeding as a team and organisation is collaboration. Though this (white) lie can help push the candidate to get the job, it can return to bite them in the future.

How to catch a lie during a job interview

Look out for vague answers. It's a sure sign of lying, particularly when it's a straightforward question.
The candidate shares too much info. Overloading info, especially unnecessary ones, can reveal any lie told.
Improve your background knowledge. Research a candidate before the job interview. The background check doesn't need to be a deep dive, just enough to highlight an inconsistency.

Most people have lied during a job interview, but that habit will catch up with them at some point in their career. It is the hiring manager's duty to find the truth.

Source: Laurie Ruettimann