While headlines about the job market and open positions might make it sound easy, finding a job and advancing your career can still be challenging in today’s competitive landscape.
Landing a job interview feels like a win, but many hurdles remain. Although honesty is generally the best policy, with so much at stake, is a little white lie really that bad?
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Amelia Beronila, a renowned career success advisor at Psychologyjobs.com who has interviewed over 10,000 job seekers, claims that lying in a job interview is more common than you think. However, Amelia warns against lying indiscriminately.
“You might have to tell some lies to land a new job, but you shouldn’t lie about skills that you don’t have. After all, what’s the point of being hired for a job that you cannot do?” says Amelia.
Amelia listed five things that it’s okay to lie about in any job interview:
Why You Want the Job
“Sure, compensation and benefits are important factors,” Amelia acknowledges, “but focusing solely on those might not showcase the best fit for the role. Instead, highlight how your values align with the company’s mission and how your skills complement the team.”
Past Jobs
Inventing past experiences is a definite no-no. However, a little white lie about getting along with everyone at previous jobs probably won’t cause any harm.
“Running down your past jobs and companies will not do you any favors. So if you left a job because you resented it, or you didn’t get along with your boss or colleagues, it’s probably better to lie a bit about it.”
“No one gets on with everyone, and there’s bound to be a few awkward characters in any office. However, talking badly about your ex-boss, ex-colleagues, or companies can give an impression that you’re difficult to work with,” explains Amelia.
Future Plans
“Where do you see yourself in five years?” is still a common interview question. “Steer clear of mentioning future plans unrelated to the company,” explains Amelia.
“Companies seek top talent to grow alongside them. Hinting that you’re only after a short-term position will likely hurt your chances.”
Hobbies
“If you decide to include your hobbies and interests in your CV, it is likely better to avoid listing Netflix & Chill, unless, of course, you’re applying for a job at Netflix,” says Amelia.
“Best keep your hobbies relevant to the role or company culture, otherwise leave them out altogether.”
Weaknesses
Revealing your biggest weakness might not be the best move. “You should answer this question with a bit of finesse,” says Amelia.
“Instead of mentioning your actual weaknesses, mention one that doesn’t hold you back in the job at hand. Additionally, explaining how you’re working to improve it might help you score extra points if your answer is logical and coherent,” concludes Amelia.
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