​As a specialist recruitment agency, our clients seek candidates with specialist skills who are going to add value to their organisation. Finding the right candidate is crucial during the recruitment process and this is where Network Recruitment plays an important role.

When the pressure is on and you're in the hot seat, exaggerating or stretching the truth during a job interview is not the best strategy. Whilst there may be professionals who landed a great job because they did not approach their interview with integrity, we strongly recommend against this type of behaviour as the truth always has a way of coming out.

According to Steven D. Levitt, the co-author of Freakonomics, 50% of candidates may be lying on their résumés.

What job seekers don't realise is, is that not only does your fabrication put you at risk and affect the organisation's productivity,it is indeed a crime. Furthermore, you run the risk of being red-flagged (blacklisted) by a recruitment company, and this could affect your career negatively in the long-term.

Here are some of the lies commonly told during job interviews:Reason for leaving

This is the most common lie that job seekers tell, as they believe that being fired makes you a bad candidate. There are many successful CFOs and CEOs who have been fired once or twice in their lives. You should always be truthful about your reasons for leaving an organisation. Specialist recruiters can communicate reasons for leaving your previous employment in a manner, which will reflect positively when they present candidates to prospective new employers.Salary expectation (CTC)

There is a common misconception that your current salary will affect your future earning potential. If you think you are being underpaid, your recruiter will be aware of this, as they know what the job market is currently offering. Be honest and allow them the opportunity to assist you to get the salary you want.Criminal record

Mentioning your conviction may seem counterproductive, but it allows you to take control and explain the predicament on your terms. If you have a criminal record, disclose it from the outset as that builds trust between you and your interviewer. During the job interview, mention your criminal history and give a brief explanation of the circumstances. Position and duties

It might be tempting to exaggerate your previous roles and duties in an interview. Specialist recruiters are trained to conduct thorough reference checks to ensure that your duties correlate with what you have said, and they will find out if you have been untruthful.Qualification(s)

Job seekers can falsify information about their qualification(s) in two ways; they claim to have a qualification that was never awarded or they alter their grades to reflect better results. We urge you not to lie about your qualification(s) as specialist recruitment agencies screen candidates and verify qualifications before presenting them to clients.Skills and experience

Avoid misrepresenting your skills because, in due time, you will be asked to demonstrate your competence in these areas. If you are not able to deliver as promised, it will become clear that you misrepresented yourself during the interview.Employment gap

If you took time off in your career, regardless of the reason, it's best to share this information with your interviewer. Explain the situation and provide clarity so that the specialist recruiter is able to provide you with the best advice and guidance.

In conclusion, don't create false expectations about your competence. Be honest during your job interview and know that you got the job based on who you truly are. As Mark Twain once said, "if you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything".

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