Don’t lie in your job interview!
A local expert reveals the common fibs
EMBELLISHING responsibilities, fabricating current salary, extending the time spent in a previous role and the reason for leaving a job are the most common lies prospective employees tell during job interviews.
That’s according to local executive recruiter, Melinda Barton, from Spinifex Recruiting, who said candidates often fib in an attempt to make their application seem more attractive.
“It’s also quite common to dismiss interviewer questions around mandatory capabilities by saying that they are a very fast learner,” Ms Barton said.
“They say, ‘Well, no I haven’t done that, but it won’t be a problem, I’m a very fast learner,’ and that drives me mental.”
Ms Barton also shared some examples of candidates being caught out.
“We had a guy interviewing for a job where physical fitness was a requirement say that he goes to the gym twice a week, but when asked which gym, he couldn’t answer,” she said.
“And I can’t count the number of times we’ve asked, ‘Will you pass a drug test in a medical?’ and they respond with ‘yes definitely’, and the drug test comes back positive.”
Ms Barton warned employees that if you are lying, on your resume or in job interviews, you will get caught sooner or later.
“You might get away with it once or twice, but it will always catch up with you in the end,” she said.
Mel Barton’s advice to employers is:
1. Always check dates. 2016-2017 is a very different duration to September 2016 to January 2017.
2. Find out whether prospective employees were in a contract role, they resigned from the role or they were let go.
3. Confirm that applicants were actually responsible for all that they claim they were.
4. Do thorough reference checks!