When seeking a job, the temptation to exaggerate or go the extra mile to impress the person on the other side is common.
It appears that candidates are not the only ones being untruthful. Almost 40% of hiring managers confess to lying in job interviews, as per a survey by Resume Builder, which surveyed over 1,000 managers in August.
The top three lie around the job's duties, potential career advancement, and professional development within the company. For instance, an interviewer might claim numerous growth opportunities without providing details on how employees collaborate with various teams or achieve promotions.
Interviewers also admitted to being untruthful about salary, perks, and the company's financial status, typically to mask unfavorable details or attract better-qualified candidates. Julie Bauke, Chief Career Happiness Officer at The Bauke Group, notes that while there might be some truth in their statements, there's a solid inclination to embellish and present a more positive picture to entice candidates. In most instances, the deceit was successful, where 92% of hiring managers reported that candidates they deceived accepted job offers.
While it can be challenging to catch an interviewer in a lie, here are a few red flags you should watch out for:
Discouraging Candidates from Talking with Other Employees
Interviews should be a two-way street. Suppose the interviewer appears annoyed, dismissive, or defensive when you express interest in talking to a current employee. In that case, it's a warning sign, according to Bauke, which might suggest a lack of trust in their employees or confidence in their company culture.
During a job interview, Bauke said hiring managers can largely shape the story. Still, most employees will be completely truthful when you inquire about what it's genuinely like to work at the company, which sometimes doesn't play to the manager's advantage.
Circling Around a Topic
Likely, if an interviewer is dishonest, their response will leave you more puzzled than when the conversation began, notes Chelsea Jay, a career and leadership coach based in Michigan.
Be observant of how frequently an employer contradicts themselves, particularly when asked a straightforward question such as "What are the hours like?" If they use uncertain terms like "but," "possibly," and "might" frequently, it could be a warning sign.
According to Jay, talking in circles is the most significant sign that an interviewer might be lying. If they were being upfront, they would directly address the question. However, circling around the topic could indicate an attempt to buy time, plan their following response, or divert attention from the truth with unnecessary details.
Dodging Candidate's Questions
Interviewers who speak very little can be as problematic as those who talk excessively, according to Jay, noting it as another typical deflection strategy.
According to Jay, a hiring manager who claims not to know specific details about the role might be concealing something. For instance, if asked about the hiring budget and they say it hasn't been decided, it could mean they plan to offer a lower salary. Avoiding candidates' questions during an interview may also suggest broader issues with the company's culture.
Jay believes that when a company cannot provide information, it indicates disorganization and a lack of seriousness in their hiring process. It could also suggest potential issues during a candidate's onboarding, where things might remain uncertain.
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