TOP 13 LIES NIGERIAN JOB SEEKERS TELL IN JOB INTERVIEWS

It is very difficult to be 100% truthful in interviews – if not lie, there is a very strong urge to embellish – 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 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.

Oh, did I hear someone say Jarus is on the side of recruiters, not job seekers, today? LOL. We at JH are always friend of job seekers. Just playing from the other end today. We no burst your bubble o. LMAO.

Any other one I have missed?

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