Lying to get a job . . .

[Klutch]

Ok, today I received a phone call from a friend of my dad's saying that he knows that there was a position open as a carpenter's helper (a job which I have zero experience doing). He tells me to go in and inquire about said job and tell them I did this before for three years and that I stopped and was doing other work, and that I no longer have my tools and would have to get new ones after I get a few paychecks. I was considering doing it, and then he says "they may tell you to try back later". So now all of a sudden what was a definite job, is now a maybe job, so honestly I don't know what to do. Plus I have a job starting today at Wal-Mart (not my dream job, but a job), it is only a temp. position though. So I figure, if anything and this Wal-Mart job doesn't last, I can always try and go back to this. I would feel like an ass if I got the job and then put out there and I know absolutely nothing about the job.

My question is have you ever lied to get a job, or been told to lie to get a job? Is honesty the best policy in this situation?

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

I've stretched the truth to get a job (i.e., I actually did have experience but not as much as I claimed) but I have lied to get housing. (and even that was just using a friend's name as an old landlord instead of my actual old landlord's name.)

[Michael Coello]

I've been told to never flat out lie, because that screws your job prospects with others. Though, the same person also told me that I need to work on giving my experience an important spin.

[James McCloud IS John Godot]

Spin is lying, most of the time. So, yeah, I've lied. There are exaggerations on my C.V. and jobs at family-owned businesses I may not have done much at.

Hey, if you get a job interview, 90% of that is going to be bullshit spewing both ways from you and the interviewer, anything else is just a drop in the bucket.

[unc40]

Before you stretch the truth or lie just remember they can check your past employment history.

[who throws a shoe?!]

I think they may realise that you do not have 3 years experience when you start and can't do even the simplest of tasks. I wouldn't risk it.

[rapidfire187]

I wouldn't say that it's a good job to lie about having experience in a certain type of job, because it may become really obvious that you were full of crap when they realize you don't know what you're doing.

Stretching the truth and saying that you've had more experience than you really had probably wouldn't hurt anything, but if you've had 0 experience you should probably be honest about that.

[Deleted]

You basically have to stretch the truth in order to even be hired these days (in my experience, anyway), and I'd rather not do that; I'd feel like shit for doing it.

[Evil Homer]

Its very hard getting a job these days (obviously). You go to a interview, and they act like the person they hire has to be some kind of superman- and expect you to have quick answer to all their questions. Last interview i went on , 90 percent of what the guy asked had zero to do with my previous experience. He instead asked me some nonsense like how do you handle stress and other questions along those lines. What I don't get is the employers attitude like they need some super human or a robot that can never make a mistake and must put on a super interview and know nearly everything that is required. They force you too lie, and yes I do lie on job interviews. I have a good relationship with my previous supervisors , and they happily agreed to verify any bs I tell potential employers

[Klutch]

Nov 30, 2010 14:04:15 GMT -5 Evil Homer said:

Its very hard getting a job these days (obviously). You go to a interview, and they act like the person they hire has to be some kind of superman- and expect you to have quick answer to all their questions. Last interview i went on , 90 percent of what the guy asked had zero to do with my previous experience. He instead asked me some nonsense like how do you handle stress and other questions along those lines. What I don't get is the employers attitude like they need some super human or a robot that can never make a mistake and must put on a super interview and know nearly everything that is required. They force you too lie, and yes I do lie on job interviews. I have a good relationship with my previous supervisors , and they happily agreed to verify any bs I tell potential employers

I know that feeling, for the job I did get at Wal Mart and started today actually, the interviewer was asking all of these management type questions (which I was able to answer because I had previous experience as a manager before I came to Wal Mart), and looked shocked when I answered the questions and gave them the answers they were looking for. Thing is I was being interviewed for a stocker position. Sometimes people just baffle my mind.

[FrankGotch]

Nov 30, 2010 13:56:26 GMT -5 who throws a shoe?! said:

I think they may realise that you do not have 3 years experience when you start and can't do even the simplest of tasks. I wouldn't risk it.

Yep lying will work with some jobs, but with a job like carpentry, and most construction jobs in general the only way to really know how to do things properly is to have done them before. If you do lie and get on chances are that you'll be found out within a half hour of getting on the job site.

[twiggy101]

Did they ask you for references or what company you worked for? If not then it's their fault for hiring a dud(no offense ). I got hired as a glazier's helper with no prior experience and worked for 2 years. And I tell you, I've learned alot in 2 years. I can measure broken windows, cut glass and make a dual/triple pane sealed unit and install it. It will definitely show you lied to them when you don't know how to use a drill or read a measuring tape.

[Klutch]

Nov 30, 2010 22:46:22 GMT -5 twiggy101 said:

Did they ask you for references or what company you worked for? If not then it's their fault for hiring a dud(no offense ). I got hired as a glazier's helper with no prior experience and worked for 2 years. And I tell you, I've learned alot in 2 years. I can measure broken windows, cut glass and make a dual/triple pane sealed unit and install it. It will definitely show you lied to them when you don't know how to use a drill or read a measuring tape.

I didn't go for the interview, didn't want to take a chance. But I mean I know how to do carpenter work. I have built countless things with my father. We've built decks, bookcases, additions on the house, and a bar (the actual counter you sit at in a bar) plus many more things I am forgetting. So i do have experience just not really in the field experience.

[darthalexander]

In the job I have now I have gotten to see a lot of c.v.'s and quite a few of them are completely full of crap. You can tell when they show up for an interview that the thing was a complete fabrication. A lot of them also have the truth stretched to an unbelievable degree.

A story:

One day my friend asked me if he could use me as a reference for a job. The idea would be he'd put me down as his former boss at this restaurant he used to work ok. I told him it was no problem and to go ahead.

Sure enough, a week later I get a call from this new employer wanting to talk about him. I had to put on my best acting and I managed to pull off a 30 min conversation - lying through my teeth and making up all kinds of stuff. He ended up getting the job and bought me a beer for it.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

You always give good recommendations to people leaving Job A for Job B. Just to get rid of the f***er.

Probably how I lost 2 jobs at work to someone inferior in every way. Not to mention the Boss loves the guy. Nevermind he totally sucks at his job, he got them, not me.