An employment agony aunt claims telling some ‘lies’ at a job interview is okay (Image: Getty Images)
When it comes to interviews, we all want to give ourselves the greatest chance of landing the role – from optimising our CVs to coming across well at interview.
For one self-confessed agony aunt, there are some “white lies” it’s okay to tell your potential new employer in order to give off the best first impression possible. Izzy Panton specialises in building her clients’ personal brands for professional success and regular provides career advice on .
In a viral video viewed more than one million times, she provides a list of the “lies you should absolutely tell at interview”. When it comes to your reason for leaving your current position, Izzy says “if it’s negative, I don’t want to hear it”. She adds: “Keep it positive, keep it professional and keep it progressive.”
As an example she says you could tell the interviewer you have “exhausted all opportunities” with your current employer and you’re now looking for a comapny that is “more dynamic that promotes from within to help me reach my potential”.
Next, Izzy says it’s fine to lie about how many “offers or processes” you’re in. “Even if this is your dream job, don’t make out it’s the only interview you’re having because it gives an air of desparation,” she explains. “If they [employer] think you have multiple eggs in multiple baskets and you’re perceived as a top talent, then you’re more likely to get the offer that you’re actually looking for.”
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Izzy’s third tip concerns your travel plans. She says if you have any big plans your interviewer “doesn’t want to hear about them”. Telling of your desire to travel suggests to the employer you’re only there to earn sufficient funds to pay for your escape, she says.
“Of course, life is about what you want to do, but I don’t want to hear it – don’t be so honest in that circumstance,” Izzy also advises.
Her third and final lie relates to “setting up your own empire”. She reveals: “I’m the biggest advocate for having a side hustle, but if you join an interview and say that this money is seed money for your own business entity, the interviewer will see that you may be perceived to be working on during office hours as well as on weekends and in the evening.”
Izzy closed by explaining that this implies to the prospective employer that the motivation to work for them is “slim to none”.
Digesting the advice, one of Izzy’s followers admitted: “I hate that interviews are just about who is the best liar.” A second person confessed: “I’ve been lying to companies in interviews since I was 16 – my mum taught me that.”
A third slammed the nature of business, claiming: “Corporate is just basically a bunch of people lying to each other. I hate everything about it.” And agreeing with one of Izzy’s tips in particular, meanwhile, a fourth person said: “Even if you hate your previous job always say, ‘I want a new challenge, I’ve outgrown this job and want to progress in my career’ – never admit to hating the place/company etc!”
Speaking from the other side of the desk however, an employer warned: “As a manager, lying about why you left is a red flag. Keep it professional but be honest because you just look untrustworthy.”
Whilst a second agreed: “I love honesty and knowing what happened, it gives me a much better idea of who they are and motivations. Also I don’t care how many jobs they’re going for – if I like them I’m hiring them.”