It is very difficult to be 100% truthful in interviews – if not lie, there is a very strong urge to embellishes – exaggerate or understate - actuals.

However, this is not to say everyone lies or embellish in interviews. I once coached a young man for an interview who really impressed me. We were trying to anticipate how he will handle the question, has there been a time you led a team to success, or something like that. He couldn’t give an example, and he said many of his friends who had sat for that interview told him he better craft one. He said it was just difficult for him to lie – his body language alone will be enough to give him away on the spot as lying. He said he will stutter, shake and easily confuse things. I commended him, and advised him that he should stick to his principle, that there is nothing like saying the truth. He got that job.


That said, while lying in interview is wrong, there is nothing wrong in packaging what is true to look glossier.

So, here we go. Top Lies Nigerian Job Seekers Tell:

◾I am multi-tasking - Hmmnnn, even when the guy cannot handle two assignments at the same time.


◾I love challenges – Really? The last candidate also said that. In fact, everyone I have interviewed today said that. So you all love challenges? No one hates challenges


◾I was born in 1991 - Hahaha, Alhaji. More than half of Nigerian job seekers, especially at entry level, use “football age”. Even with those moustache.


◾I plan to grow with this company: Serious? Even if Shell comes with mega offer next week? Chai, there is God o.


◾I have always wanted to work for this company: Even if the guy has never heard about the company before that advert was published.


◾You (the interviewing company) are one of the market leaders: Aba market or which market? Where is your source? Where are the stats? Even the recruiter knows you’re flattering him.




◾I am trying to work on my weakness: So that your sister you slapped on the interview morning was an error. What of that stick you smoked at the corner the night before? Okay, how about that woman you cursed in traffic on your way to interview venue? So much for working on weakness.


◾Pay is not my motivation: Really? Even after opening thread on Nairaland asking how much the company pays. God is watching you o.


◾I am a team player: Every Nigerian job seeker is a team player. No one is a loafer.


◾I quit my former company voluntarily so as to gather further experience: Just ensure the HR Manager of your last company does not hear that.


◾I am a go-getter: Ask the guy the meaning of “go-getter” and don’t be surprised he doesn’t even know the meaning.


◾I pay strong attention to details: Only that this quality was on holiday when you were preparing your CV. Because the CV in front of me – with all the errors and inconsistencies in fonts – says opposite.




Any other one I have missed?

http://www.jarushub.com/top-12-lies-nigerian-job-seekers-tell-in-job-interviews/

Nothing to comment for now
forgive ma insensitivity, but i gat a feeling dat dis will grace frontpage and i want to achieve something I've being trying very very hard to achieved here on nairaland
.
.
Again i will say forgive ma insensitivity
thanks

I possess sound interpersonal skills
Hmm, you don't say.

I'm good with computers
Because say you sabi press BlackBerry you don turn computer programmer abi?

Necessary lies I must add

I can do better when i'm under pressure.



For your mind you be messi.

If this thread doesnt make frontpage i will deactivate my account....




Jarus it me again

LAf don comot my trouser o infact i just added some of dis tins to my cv just now, i just finsihrd editin my cv now n d to visit nairaland to check openings again and i found thiis thread

Lol...

'Palkanging' lo shey o...

KiV

Hehe Hehe..I jst dey laff. d lies pay off most tyms sha

My leadership skills are nonesuch

You don lead the world before

I said this then,i can work on any electronics gadget and the employer was like wow....okare lae.

ppl saying 'i worked at xqp limited and also at pxt communications'... all na wash

man go get job oooo

Shuu!........ I was here in case this thread makes front page

Very True.
While reading this, I had a virtual image of my CV by myside and hmmmm... I won't say which I fault in. Lol.

@Jarus, how u doing? Kindly send me contact no pls. Thanks

Adonye was here. .

Overhype the truth here and there...

Pls whatz the best answer for the 'what if shell comes with a mega offer' question?

egopersonified: Pls whatz the best answer for the 'what if shell comes with a mega offer' question?

I'm a young man. I don't think it's in my interest, professional speaking, to be changing jobs every now and then. It is my plan to grow with this company. I'm not thinking of quitting for any other company in the short to medium term.

+++

Say that with some emotion in your face. Even though it's a lie. If Shell offer comes tomorrow, omho, grab it o. LOL

peace2012: @Jarus, how u doing? Kindly send me contact no pls. Thanks

08061198625

I fed everyone of the above listed lines to my interview panel. Some of it is true though. Avoid blatant lies that are easily checked, like saying you are proficient at using certain software when you aren't. Unless it's the kind you can master in a few hours before your interview.
I told them my weakness, and one of them actually suggested a way to spin it a better way for future interviews.
It's all in the telling. Learn to speak well!

Jarus:

I'm a young man. I don't think it's in my interest, professional speaking, to be changing jobs every now and then. It is my plan to grow with this company. I'm not thinking of quitting for any other company in the short to medium term.

+++

Say that with some emotion in your face. Even though it's a lie. If Shell offer comes tomorrow, omho, grab it o. LOL

Diaris God o....all these lies u are sharing for the interviewers

Egbon Jarus ashe e tie ti kpe nigboro

these piece of writing got ma ribs cracking.

these piece of writing got ma ribs cracking. Front Page Material!

I just did an interview in Benin and one of the ladies in my team and was asked. .

'This kind of job requires you stay and live in the village without electricity. can you do that?'

She responded that she has been living in a typical village setting for a long time.

The interviewer never knew she was married and had been with the husband in the city.

I am a fast learner

Please watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTY39t5bjW8