You are reading the FRACAT Blog Archive (also known as "FRACAT 1.0") for all posts prior to October 29th, 2007.
Why Honesty is Important in a Job Search: A Real Life Example
I’ve been told repeatedly that, “The Bible doesn’t apply to my life today!” The people that tell me this obviously have a better understanding of the world than I do, because I find that it comes in handy on a regular basis.
Let’s take a simple concept like “honesty”. Personally, I’m pretty sure that God is in favor of honesty. But, just to be sure, we’ll check a little later.
There is plenty of “minor dishonesty” practiced every day, though. Even (and, perhaps, especially) in the job search. To see how simple dishonesty that is practiced every day can hurt your job search, read on.
HOW TO SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE FOOT IN 1 EASY STEP
I recently saw a message from another recruiter on a discussion board that went something like this (names have been removed to protect the morons):
I have a problem, a [candidate] has gone all the way through final [stage of interviews] with two different companies then calls me this morning at 6:30 am about to cry because he over stated his salary by $120,000.
He said he did not know they had ways of checking, (it is my fault for not letting him know they would check) I’m laughing to myself because this is one of those things you always read about.
I was wondering if anyone has had this happen before and have they been able to save the deal?
THE CONSENSUS RESPONSE AMONG RECRUITERS
Rather than explaining things, let me relate to you my response to this recruiter, to which every single experienced recruiter chimed in, “Amen!”:
Why would you want to save this deal?
To recap:
1) He lied to you - I can only assume it was because he was greedy and thought he could shortcut his way to more money. Even if you make a million dollars, $100K+ lie is pretty significant.
2) He lied to the company - Not because he needed to, but because “he did not know they had ways of checking”.
3) He has damaged your reputation with your client - While most clients understand this, it still makes you a little more suspect than you were yesterday.
4) He has stolen from you - Even if this deal *did* miraculously go through, this was time you could spend with a real candidate that would have supported a real fee. Last time I checked, a reduction in salary of $100K meant a reduction in fee by at least $20K.
5) He is forcing you to do things you don’t want to do - The only way that I can see to making this work is to become your candidate and start lying for all you’re worth. I’m assuming that your integrity is worth more than whatever the fee is.
6) He will continue to make you look bad in the future - Let’s say you are amazing liar and save this deal. What makes you think that a guy who will tell large lies, damage your business, and steal from you will turn into a good employee?
I’m going to say that this guy is probably someone you don’t want to be in bed with. You may want to get a restraining order just to keep him away…
Dan
BRINGING IT ALL HOME
While this candidate’s lie is particularly egregious, I really have the same view of any lie a candidate tells. Whether it is lying about employment dates, salary, education, or anything else, it reveals poor character in a candidate.
I am not standing on my little “holiness pedestal” saying all this. I, too, have bouts with poor character. I, too, have lied in the past. So I’m absolutely not saying that you should be more like me.
What I am saying is that we should all be more like God and here are some of the consequences if we decide not to be.
Nobody likes being lied to. No even liars. So, being discovered in your lies (which happens more regularly as time goes on) will irrevocably damage your reputation with anyone you deal with in your job search.
And that means for the rest of your life you will not get a job with the company you applied to, through the recruiter you lied to, and anyone else that they talk to.
PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
I know that it is not an uncommon occurrence for people to tell “little white lies” on a regular basis. I know the pressure to tell people what they want to hear (especially if it won’t matter in the end what you say), to make people feel better, and to grease the rails of life in general.
What I’ve come to believe, however, is that God’s standard is different. Don’t believe me? How about this for unquivocal:
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord
But those who deal faithfully are his delight.”
-Proverbs 12:22
Enjoy the Search!
-Dan
—–
Daniel R. Sweet
Chief Cook-And-Bottle-Washer / Sr. Recruiter
FRACAT.com - Free Resume and Career Toolbox
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrsweet
Call Me On Jaxter: http://www.jaxtr.com/fracat
Photo by: powerbooktrance
Stumble it! 
add to del.icio.us 