It’s the advice we’ve all gotten at one point in our life; Always tell the truth. Does that advice apply during a job interview? It depends on who you ask.
In a recent article in The Daily Mail, Guy Thornton, the founder of practiceaptitudetests.com says it’s OK to stretch the truth during your job interview. He refers to them as strategic omissions or re-framing.
For example, if an employer asks about the large gaps in your employment history, Thornton suggests you shift the conversation. So, instead of dwelling on what you weren’t doing, focus on what you did to grow your skillset. Things like volunteering or taking an online course.
Another example, when an employer asks you to describe your weaknesses, Thornton suggests you utilize the 10:90 method. Spend 10% of your answer identifying the weakness and 90% explaining what you’re doing to fix it. He suggests you choose a weakness that isn’t a deal breaker.
What if you only plan to take a job for the short term? Thornton says you should NOT divulge that to your prospective employer. Companies want to invest in people who are dedicated to the long-term success of the business – and not necessarily workers who aren’t going to be there very long.
This is a topic we delved into on “Live In The D” for “The Buzz” segment. Joining us were Blaine Fowler from “Blaine and Lauren” on 96.3 WDVD; Orlando Bailey, who is the executive director of Outlier Media; and comedian Mike Bonner.
Is there anything THEY believe you should never tell an employer? Click the video player above to find out!