WSJ Article Explores How Candidates and Interviewers Misrepresent Themselves

A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “The Lies We Tell During Job Interviews” begins with: “Is a job interview really an exercise in deception? Career coaches and researchers who study falsehoods say yes.”

The article contains research showing:

• About 85% of interviewees, if asked a direct question, would hide “skeletons in their closet,” such as problems they had on a job.
• In a 15-minute job interview most interviewees lie 2 or 3 times. For an hour-long interview… you do the math. 
• 20-30% of job candidates would “invent a degree.”

The author advises candidates to not fudge their resumes or interview responses for one obvious reason: because they might get a job they fail in. Another reason – not mentioned in the article – is that while putting one’s best foot forward is ethical, outright lies are wrong. Topgrading’s research over the years shows that low performers are most likely to stretch the truth, and high performers tend to be honest and deliver the best results. 

What should interviewers do to avoid misrepresentations and outright lies from job candidates? The article says to ask specific questions requiring details. We agree, and the Topgrading Interview ensures you do exactly that. Furthermore, Topgrading’s methodology was created to promote a very high level of transparency from candidates.

To learn more about our methodology, and the techniques to promote honesty in hiring and improve your success hiring high performers, visit us at topgrading.com