Is it ever appropriate to lie during the selection process?
You've found your dream job vacancy,
You can picture yourself taking on the role,
You feel like you have the potential or most of the skills required for the role,
But you don't have the experience or qualification it's looking for.
Should you lie and wing it?
Let me take you back to a time when I learnt this lesson as a young 14 year old boy trying to take my first step in the working world.
I was looking for my first job, as pocket money was not enough to pay increasing teenage expenses, which led to me securing an interview to work in my local fish & chip shop. I assumed in order to work there I had to be 16 years old so the obvious solution was to lie about my age but when they asked me my date of birth, I automatically said the actual year. I immediately corrected myself and the person interviewing me advised that I'd made a good impression but her most important quality she seeks in her staff is knowing she can trust them... I continued to be adamant that I got the year wrong…needless to say I didn't get that job.
Whilst it might seem like a little white lie, it's important to consider the real implications of being caught in a lie during a selection process.
If you are selected for an interview, it will become apparent by the answers you provide during the interview questions that you do not have the experience to back up your CV. Not only does this rule you out for this particular role, it also creates a negative perception of you. If they were willing to take a chance on you, the likelihood is lower now and that reputation might stick with you if you were to try again in the future.
If somehow you do pass an interview, you will become exposed when you join the organisation leading to a stressful working environment, a feeling of being overwhelmed and a risk of being in a situation where you are underperforming in your role.
If you really want to land that dream job, change your perspective and consider other ways to overcome a key skill gap.
Recognise that you have a skills gap and seek ways to develop it. This can be done through creating opportunities to try new ways of working in your existing role, through seeking out training and development opportunities and/or obtaining relevant professional qualifications.
If you meet most of the specifications for the role but not all of them, apply anyway and see if the recruiter is interested. You could include a cover letter recognising the gap, but explaining your strengths in all other elements of the role. You could also explain the actions you are taking to close the gap and the steps you would take if successful to develop this skill. You have nothing to lose by trying.
Recruiters & hiring managers are looking for the best fit with the right transferable skills. They expect a level of training and development for someone to be successful in role, so if you're tempted to tell that little fib to get things over the line, truly consider the long term implications.
They do say honesty is the right policy for a reason.
If you'd like tailored help and support to ensure you put your best foot forward during the selection process, get in touch to see how I can help.
