Dishonest On Job Application

@niairen01 (1018)
Philippines
June 30, 2012 6:21pm CST
Me and my friend were chatting on the phone last night. And she was telling me a story about she and her co-workers discussions about how they handle job interviews and stuff. There's one thing that she told me, that makes my wonder. She said on of her co-workers stated that whenever he got interviewed and asked about if he knows how to handle work like this and that, he would always answer "YES" even if he doesn't really understand it at all. His reason was, if it is really that important in the job, once you get the job, seniors will teach you how. It quite make sense don't you think? The only problem is, whether you answered yes to that kind of question, and there's another follow up on that to make sure that you really understand or have knowledge on that field.
2 people like this
17 responses
@ECH107 (108)
• Austria
30 Jun 12
It depends on the task I guess. I would never claim to be a computer developer or a medical doctor. If somebody was unspecific and asked if I del confident about performing a job, of course I would say, "Yes." They say it is important to toot your own horn during the interview process, otherwise they can't tell whether you are being modest or that you really lack the skill.
@niairen01 (1018)
• Philippines
1 Jul 12
I'm always keen and honest during interviews. I'm scared of the fact that I might be asked about something I don't know, that's why I tend to review things before my appointment. I guess your right. Maybe if it isn't that technical I guess it's okay to assume that you know something (whether true or not)
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
If you think you can learn it fast then its okay to say yes. But if its already out of your capacity then its better to say no. Its all depends if you think you can carry that task or not. If I have some basic knowledge about it then I will say yes and if the interviewee ask me question I will going to answer him in basic as much as possible.
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
1 Jul 12
I don't lie when I go to a job interview, because that would just get me into trouble later on when they discover that I don't actually know how to do those things. I might get the job if I say yes, but what is going to happen when I start working and I have to do the things that I claimed that I was able to do? Instead of claiming that I know how to do something that I don't really know how to do I would say something like "I don't have much experience with that exact task, but I have had jobs where I have done something similar and I don't think that it would be hard for to learn that task" then I would mention the similar things that I have tried.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
After the interview you can review or try to learn how to do that. If you are new in the office then pretend that you know but same time ask them how they do it in their office. Its just all about presentation. If you are good and confident in anything you do you don't have to think of this as a problem. Just think that all of the employee in your office also start from not knowing how to do it also. As no one was born to have knowledge right away.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
Its all about self confidence. If you say yes then its means that you can handle that type of job. I guess he is really not that clueless. He many don't try it yet but I'm sure he has an idea what's that all about. What he just need to do is to have convincing power to make his interviewer believe him.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
Basically it is bad to lie but in this case, a job applicant should give answers that the interviewer wants to hear. That is why applicants give answers that are not very honest but once hired would do their best to learn the new job.
• Malaysia
2 Jul 12
It's really normal that many people are being dishonest when they go for a job interview especially those who have just graduated. To most of us, it is important to have a job especially the ones that offers good salary. But one has to be careful just in case that such lies would bite them back. It would be really embarrassing if the true test comes out as in real and true on the job task comes, one should be able to handle it correctly. Maybe not perfect but at least try to limit the mistake that comes with inexperience.
@joevanosa (303)
• Philippines
2 Jul 12
i can not blame your friend because looking for a job, being employed these days is very hard. you will do everything to get a job. me, i would tell the administrator or the hiring executive about my skills - the things that i can and can not do because i do not want them to be disappointed when i would be working with them. but hey! i can not blame him...life is hard these days!
@alienstar (5142)
• India
1 Jul 12
I think world has become very competitive now and his attitude is understandable. To remain in competition, he doesn't want to say no to anything now. May be if he can learn from seniors working in the company and will perform better, there is nothing wrong in it as company just want results and hardworking people with full of confidence. One should learn to say yes to challenges or assignments given to him than saying no at any time. Your confidence will boost whenever you are assigned job and you perform it to your satisfaction. I have seen many people like this even in our place and i don't really think they are doing anything wrong with this. But the only thing which might go wrong in this case or with any other case like this is becoming lazy and not keeping up the promise or not completing the tasks which is given tot hem with confidence. These things will not only effect each individuals, but also the company for sure. So, at the end it all depends on the attitude and commitment of the individual on how he takes it in this competitive world.To remain in the game, he has to be competitive and work very hard to achieve his goals with full of confidence
@vindiku (255)
• India
1 Jul 12
I think it is quite okay to say that you know a kind of task even though you don't know it completely, but in such cases you should have an idea or at least a hint of what the nature of such task would be. If I am in that position and if asked if I know something that I don't know really, I would say that "I have done it at the start of my career, but right now is out of touch, any how a little help from the seniors would help me refresh things faster." Logically, you wont go for an interview which does not fall under you qualification and hence you will always have an idea of what you are going to face.
@simonelee (2715)
• China
1 Jul 12
Maybe it depends on the skills they require. If i am familiar and confident enough that it can be learn easily then maybe i will lie to. I will confidently say "Yes" also since there are seniors who will train you. Like in Call Center Industry they will require you to know this and that and must be good at that. But once you get hired they will train you just like somebody else. You won't just pretend you know something... if the interviewer ask me if i do software programing and my field is in medicine then I'll won't pretend. If it is basic and can be learn easily then i'll go for it.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
1 Jul 12
Employers do check up on information you provide them on job applications. That is how they fikter through qualifying applicants. Being dishonest on a job application will catch up to you sooner or later. If an employer finds you dishonest on the application for a job what can that say about your work ethics over all?
@danitykane (3183)
• Philippines
1 Jul 12
hi niairen01, For me, it is fine to say that you know a certain job even if you don't exactly know how it work but, make sure that you have an idea on the said job. To say yes entirely on a job that you don't know is like saying that you know HTML but you haven't created a website before. I think it is better to say that you have an idea on a certain job but you can improve your ability and handle it well once the job was given to you. I bet the employer will like you more if you persuade him/her that you really are a fast-learner and you can get the job done in the end with the right training and guidance. Happy Lotting!
• United States
2 Jul 12
I hear all the time about people being dishonest on their applications or interviews. It only sucks when they check your knowledge or you have a missing gap when it becomes time to display your experience. I try to be as honest as possible because I know that my details are very dependent upon my skillet and availability to do the job... Noo! Sometimes it does help to put a little icing kn the job cake!
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
1 Jul 12
When I applied for a job, I never claimed that I know something when in fact I don't. If it happens that I don't know the particular skill, I would tell them the truth but I would tell them also that I am willing to learn.
@kelzbelz (36)
• United States
2 Jul 12
honestly i think people should tell the truth about things like that cause what if this job is dangerous and he says yes and when he get the job and as hes working it something bad happens and it kills him.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jun 12
On job interviews I've been on I'm always asked to elaborate on something I have said. So, if I say I can do a certain task I need to give examples, as a rule. Unfortunately for me, these examples are from nearly 4 years ago and people who are currently working or have recently become unemployed are getting the jobs I apply for. I don't get too upset about it though. At least I'm away from the stress of an office; more stress now of course because people are doing more for less money. Just ask my husband!
1 Jul 12
I would never lie for the skills which I really don't have. I must be honest to tell them that I am not familiar but I can easily learn new things. Interviewer like this kind of attitude rather than boast of something which eventually will be unfolded. What a great shame if that happen, for sure it will. Great interviewers won't just accept word for it and often they ask more specific questions to find out if you really know what you are saying. It is best to be honest than be caught as someone pretending to know all things.
• Canada
30 Jun 12
I guess it depends on the job. I interview people all the time where I work. I also do the trainning. So I will catch on very quick if the person lied about understanding everything. You cannot expect a new employee to understand everything (unless they have actually worked in the field for many years). They still need to be trained how to do things according to what the company needs.