When in a job interview, it is best to

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Edwin1961

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I have been in the process of looking for a job. I have had some interviews. The caseworker working with me says that I should ‘exaggerate’ when in the interview process.

Isn’t exaggerating a form ol lying?

What is the best to do? What have you or would you do? I’m back in the job search and just want to know what my personal limits.

I would rather tell the truth than lie and get the job.
 
Hi Edwin! 🙂

What sorts of jobs are you applying for? What is she specifically asking you to exaggerate?
 
I do not exaggerate, but I do tell the truth selectively.

I tell them what I can do, and why I think I can do it.

I do not feel the need to tell them my weaknesses therewith unless I have implictly contradicted them.

For example, I might tell them I won an award from process improvement. I don’t have to tell them that I thought another guy was more deserving of it – gosh there are plenty of times I did well but wasn’t recognized. If they ask me, then I tell them that I worked with another person to find a way to cut overhead. That way I can turn it into teamwork. If the guy comes out and says, “how much percentage of that effort have you contributed” then I’m stuck, I can say maybe less than 10% (although my 10% was key) but this is an interview, hopefully not an interrogation.

One thing I don’t want to do is oversell myself. If he thinks I can do something I can’t, that’s fine, but if I honestly question whether I’d be good at the job then I’ll be asking them questions as well. Again takl about how your assets can deal with this or that, but let him ask you about weaknesses.

Also have some answers ready in case they’re one of those that asks stupid questions like “what are three of your weaknesses as seen by your friends” like this nerd from Hewlett-Packard asked me. I think a good answer to that would be one that sounds like you honestly see it as a personal problem, but one that works well for the company or at least doesn’t hurt anything. For example, “well, most of my friends think I take my work too seriously, but I don’t know if I agree with them or if I just have a little more momentum than they do” or “I sometimes get made fun of for my habit of not wanting to discuss paperwork without filing away the last paper I was working on” or something stupid like that. A stupid question deserves a stupid answer, but just don’t let on that you know the game is not to let them see you sweat. What they really want to know is how well you stand up under stupidity, I think sometimes.

Alan
 
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AlanFromWichita:
I do not exaggerate, but I do tell the truth selectively.

I tell them what I can do, and why I think I can do it.

I do not feel the need to tell them my weaknesses therewith unless I have implictly contradicted them.

Alan
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Now Edwin, this is an excellent post from Alan.
I’d add that outright lying is always bad policy everywhere in life. But I believe the interview game is one of symantics.
You do not need to be brutally honest in telling all your flaws and drawbacks. Stress the positive and be upbeat- because an employer is also looking for attitude. A positive frame of mind in any situation can conquer much.

Also keep in mind, every employer is going to train you for the particulars of the job. If I were interviewing and knew the job was not over my head, I would be inclined to play up my skills with a wee bit 'o exaggeration.

I know you to be an intelligent and articulate man, VERY quick thinker and a problem solver. It probably flows that you are a quick learner. Those are great strengths to capitalize on and play up!

Edwin, in knowing you, I can tell that any employer would be blessed to have you as a team member.

Just to let you know, I have felt a need to pray for you in this area lately. I will intensify my prayers for you.

Hey - if you want, email me your resume. I am gifted in resume prep. Wish I could sing or dance instead, but God gave me the gift of a snappy resume designer. God knows best.
 
Sometimes people ask you your weaknesses so that you can self-select yourself out of the running for the job. Believe it or not many people will answer so candidly if you simply ask them. I hope you don’t have anything that damaging though. 😉

Of course, sometimes people work around the ‘what is your weakness?’ into a strength as weakness answer.

Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A: I work so hard, my clothes catch fire.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to give a real and serious weakness out, but I would be fair to my personality, temperment and experience overall. Make sure you make a good impression, show mental agility, and maybe even a little bit of noncommital humor like in my example above.

Come off as humble, hard-working, intelligent and principled and I think that they should like you. Unless you’re trying to get a job at a law firm. 😃
 
Edwin, do a google search for “commonly asked interview questions” and practice, practice, practice!
 
Edwin,

I don’t think that you have to lie to do well in a job interview. I don’t know that you’d need to exagerrate either. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. There’s nothing wrong with emphasizing certain aspects of your background and deemphasizing others. For example, if they ask you about a skill that you don’t have, you can state that even though you don’t have the skill, you have skills A, B, and C which will help you to quickly pick up on the work and gain that skill in a short amount of time. If you don’t have direct experience with a particular type of work, focus on any indirect experience that you have. For example, even though you’ve never been a chef, you may have organized food for family get-togethers. That’s not exagerrating, that’s doing the best you can with what you have. Job interviewing is an art and it can be competitive. You’ll want to do the best that you can. I’m in a bit of a rush, so sorry if I didn’t state this too well. But I would likewise recommend that you check out some websites. There are lots of good ones with interview articles/questions.
 
If you they ask you if you can do something and you tell them you can but you really can’t, It would not be only lying but when the situation comes up you or someone around you will/or can get hurt. I’m an electrician and if I say I can do something just to get the job, but can’t actually do it, someone is going to get hurt and/or property is going to be damaged.

Tell the truth of what you can do and if you can’t do something they will probably train you anyway. Where would exagerrating or lying benefit anyone?
 
Thanks for the great responses!

The reason why I asked this question, is because in an interviewing class I had taken last year, the instruction told me to exaggerate as much as I can because 'it’s a fog eat dog world." That certainly rubbed me the wrong way.

I did have two interviews in March of this year, but did not get the job. I had to be honest when asked a question.

I was asked about a situation which had to deal with eyesight. I had to state flat out that I have a visual impairment and wouldn’t be able to fully complete the situation. I followed that up with that I would ask for extra help.

Apparently disclosing the fact that I have a visual problem may have caused me to lose out. Other than those two interviews, the last interview I had to give was in 1987.
I am just concerned about the attitudes today in any workplace…a lot of this PC **** and if I say One word out of context than that could lose me a position also.

I currently have a new caseworker giving me advice and I will see what happens.

Because I have been frustrated and down, I really can ask for some prayers for courage and self-esteem.

Thanks!
Edwin
 
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Edwin1961:
I have been in the process of looking for a job. I have had some interviews. The caseworker working with me says that I should ‘exaggerate’ when in the interview process.

Isn’t exaggerating a form ol lying?

What is the best to do? What have you or would you do? I’m back in the job search and just want to know what my personal limits.

I would rather tell the truth than lie and get the job.
Click to expand...
Edwin, it has been my experience that when we are committed to walking a spiritual path we have to walk it no matter what the secular world tells us is ‘smart’. So the answer to your question is, yes you must always tell the truth. It may mean it takes longer for you to get a job but it will also mean that you thoroughly trust the path of the Lord and I cannot help but believe that will be rewarded, in this life and the next.
Tell the truth; the spiritual life is not a theory, you have to live it.
 
Hi Edwin 👋

I think that what your caseworker really means is to show confidence during an inverview.

I wish you the very best of luck & don’t forget to e-mail Jen with your resume. I’m praying for you also. Blessings.
🙂 👍 😉
Shannin
 
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RobNY:
Q: What is your greatest weakness?
A: I work so hard, my clothes catch fire.
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I won’t ask that question during interviews anymore because the interviewee always responds with something like: “I work so gosh darn hard” or “I’m just to hard on myself sometimes” or “I’m a perfectionist” or something similar to lead me to believe that they’re the hardest worker I’ve ever come across.
 
I checked other. Never lie or exaggerate, but brag. Many questions asked of you are designed for you to show your best side, not a complete evaluation. If you think you can do a job, make no bones about it. Talk as though you are the best person for the job and beat your own drum. Then if you land the job, make good on your words.

Good thing to say: “I know you will find no one that will work harder than me or give you more for your money.”

Bad thing to say: “I have had many accomplishments including being a Senior CAF member with over 5000 post!”
 
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pnewton:
I checked other. Never lie or exaggerate, but brag. Many questions asked of you are designed for you to show your best side, not a complete evaluation. If you think you can do a job, make no bones about it. Talk as though you are the best person for the job and beat your own drum. Then if you land the job, make good on your words.

Good thing to say: “I know you will find no one that will work harder than me or give you more for your money.”

Bad thing to say: “I have had many accomplishments including being a Senior CAF member with over 5000 post!”
Click to expand...
Phillip,
It never ceases to amaze me how you can state the most profound thoughts and then end a message with something very hillarious! 🙂
 
True,
My self-esteem is a bit low.

Isn’t there a fine line between bragging and ‘being full of yourself’ i.e. pride.

When bragging is involved, (taking the example from Phillip), that if I brag something and believe I can do something and then don’t follow through, that can be very dangerous).
Isn’t bragging like taking a vow? I never like to make promises I can’t keep, so I don’t make promises.

I really believe some people ‘have it in them’ to be bold, and others don’t. In matters like this, I seem to be neutral.
 
Dear Edwin

Just be yourself. Humility is honest appraisal of yourself. Just be who you are and neither add nor detract from this at any time.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa
 
Another thing is to remember it is a two way interview.

They are interviewing you to see if you are right for the job.

You are interviewing them to see if they are right for you.

The problem is they don’t always see it that way. Some people if you ask about vacation they think “oh, this guy wants to know details. He must be serious.” Next interview you ask the same question and that one thinks “oh, this guy only wants to know what’s in it for him; he hasn’t even started working and he wants to take off.”

A lot of it depends on chemistry. Be confident, and make sure to brush your teeth. 😛

One thing I like to do is do some research on the company before I go in, and see what they are proud of and when they speak of a product, you can say, “oh, is that any relation to the new casting equipment I read you were installing?” It doesn’t matter if it’s connected, but hopefully it is. Know something about the size of the company, so you don’t have to ask, “how many employees are at your company?” but instead ask, “would you say your US or your Netherlands office are more likely to grow” or you can ask questions about the job.

I can’t think of an example when being prepared can’t help.

Once you are convinced you know what teh job offers, if you can’t find a good way to get your own questions answered, if they don’t give you their cards automatically you can say, “would you prefer I get ahold of you or your HR manager if I have any questions?” They may try to say, '“don’t call us we’ll call you” but at some point you might as well call and ask status.

If you still don’t get all your questions answered, then when you get the firm job offer you really do have the right to determine whether the vacation package is adequate. Once you know all that you can decide if you want to take the job. If not, decide what you Worst Acceptable Position is (it may be no improvement at all) and ask for what you hope for, allowing for some negotiation. If they negotiate up to at least your minimum, take the job. If not, walk.

It’s a good idea to always know when to say “no” so you don’t end up feeling like you have to sell yourself short. If new information comes up, fine, but if not, don’t come out of there wishing you had turned them down – especially if it means you’re quitting another job that you’re not sure is any worse.

Alan
 
I voted other just tell them that if they don’t hire you you are going to give them a bodyslam!
Mike
 
Here is a practical tip. Brainstorm possible questions. Some basic questions that are ususal asked are things like, “Why do you want this position?”, " What makes you suited for this position?" and the ever popular “Tell us (me) about yourself.”

Try to think of question specific to the job also. Write out the answers to the questions you come up with. Practice them in the mirror. This will boost your confidence and make you answer them smoothly. Therefore when you actual interview you will at least be able to answer a few questions very well. You never know which one will make that postive impression stick in an employers mind

One more thing, dress your best, appropriate to the job of course. It is amazing how something so simple can help make a good impression. It also never hurts to have an extra boost of confidence.

PS - My wife used to teach job interview and helped out with in my last promotion board.👍 Thank goodness I think I am done with them.
 
I’m voting, be honest. At my last several job interviews, I was honest, even about some things that I thought might make me seem less than ideal for the job. When I got the jobs, the supervisors told me my honesty had helped!

Also, do your homework and ask good questions to the interviewers. This lets them know that you are thinking and judging as well. Some people come in acting like they are great and a perfect fit for any job and willing to do any job, but that is nonsense. No one is really that way. To show that you are discriminating will be held in your favor. The hiring process is a big hassel for a business, and they want to get a good, intelligent, honest person in there. Over time, a good employer, knows this matters more than having “superman” in the position, because superman is a fictional character and will deflate in time.

Best to you,

cheddar
 
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