Would you hire someone that lied to you during an interview?

[skinnybutphat]

So I'm looking for a computer nerd that isn't a nerd. This one guy seems like a real good fit, but he lied to me once, maybe a few times during the interview. We were talking on the phone about Vista and he said 'I'm real impressed with Vista, I think it's gonna be great'. Then in the interview he said 'I don't like Vista, I think it's gonna flop'.

He also gave me a cover letter about how he found the job listing on Craigslist. I hadn't posted it on Craigslist yet, I got his name form his advisor at his school. I know during an interview people are going to say what they think you want to hear but at least remember what lie you told to whom. I liked most everything else the guy had to say, but are there too many red flags?

[marsdaddy]

Call him on it and see how he responds. Some people are born liars, others think they need to lie to impress. I'd look for other candidates, either way.

[Teh]

Well it doesn't seem like the lies are significant. The one with his opinion on vista - i've made mistakes like that in interviews before and it basically comes down to being nervous, and really wanting to impress whoever is interviewing you. Did you share your opinion on vista? That might've prompted him to agree with you on it. Admittedly, though, i guess people would tend to respect you more if you had your own opinions and stuck to them.

As far as where he found the job listing, cover letters are pretty generic. He probably just edited it to put your company name in and forgot about the actual content.

[skinnybutphat]

I'd look for other candidates, either way.

I am, nobody has really blown my hair back yet. I don't want to call him on it yet. He's the clubhouse leader so far.

1 of 2

What happened to Gore last night? I had him in my big boy league.

[skinnybutphat]

Well it doesn't seem like the lies are significant. The one with his opinion on vista - i've made mistakes like that in interviews before and it basically comes down to being nervous, and really wanting to impress whoever is interviewing you. Did you share your opinion on vista? That might've prompted him to agree with you on it. Admittedly, though, i guess people would tend to respect you more if you had your own opinions and stuck to them.

As far as where he found the job listing, cover letters are pretty generic. He probably just edited it to put your company name in and forgot about the actual content.

It wasn't significant, but lying about something like say a backup of all our data could be.
I did share my view on Vista, during the interview I said I think graphically it's a Mac rip-off but has potential with the ready-boost shit and what not.
I have used a canned cover letter too, I'm sure most people do. But I also edit them before they go out. That demonstrated a lack of attention to detail. I feel like Seinfeld being way too critical of potential employees.

[ms.peachy]

I don't think that expecting him to pay attention to detail is "being too picky."

[Auton]

yeah man, you're not being too critical. i don't think you should hire him. not because of the vista thing, but mostly because of the craigslist thing. that seems a bit more dishonest.

[Freebasser]

Agree to hire him, then when he turns up for work on the first day act like you never hired him and tell him to leave.

[Bob]

maybe he was thinking of another job listing that he found, he's probably interviewing for more than one

[skinnybutphat]

Agree to hire him, then when he turns up for work on the first day act like you never hired him and tell him to leave.

lol

Max Scorpio "I never even gave you my coat!"

I'm being critical about all kinds of other stuff in resumes; bad formatting, font changes, bad use of bullet points, where people live, etc.

[skinnybutphat]

yeah man, you're not being too critical. i don't think you should hire him. not because of the vista thing, but mostly because of the craigslist thing. that seems a bit more dishonest.

That wasn't being dishonest, just sloppy.

[hpdrifter]

maybe he was thinking of another job listing that he found, he's probably interviewing for more than one

That's what I was going to say. No excuse for the Vista thing, though. Are you sure you're not mixing him up with someone else?

[DIGI]

If he's the best fit, hire him, but let him know right off the bat that you knew what was up and that you almost reconsidered hiring him. That will keep him on his toes and hopefully make him refrain from anymore similar actions.

[skinnybutphat]

That's what I was going to say. No excuse for the Vista thing, though. Are you sure you're not mixing him up with someone else?

Yeah, I had only talked to two people on the phone. The conversation with the other guy was real brief.

[skinnybutphat]

If he's the best fit, hire him, but let him know right off the bat that you knew what was up and that you almost reconsidered hiring him. That will keep him on his toes and hopefully make him refrain from anymore similar actions.

That's a good thought. When are you coming out? I was thinking I could hand deliver your CDs and buy a beer for a late payment penalty.

[Otis Driftwood]

If you don't lie, "they" just gonna cut down your welfare check.

[MC Moot]

hmmmmm.....I suppose if the lie was with regards to education,work experience or the abilty to be bonded and insured,yes.....perhaps the cat was bluffing....which could be an early indicator of ignorance or incompetence within the related field....I always interview twice and then before I proceed I take them for lunch and observe their table manners/social etiquette and if they fail to meet the bar,I pass on them.....that's my litmus test......oh,chews with mouth open.....sorry charlie.....

[HEIRESS]

wow, the american job market must be a sad case. we are so desperate for workers here its almost a "you can walk AND talk? HIRED DUDE!"

[fucktopgirl]

^hahaha, not quite but yeah!

[insertnamehere]

wow, the american job market must be a sad case. we are so desperate for workers here its almost a "you can walk AND talk? HIRED DUDE!"

*moves to canada*

[DIGI]

That's a good thought. When are you coming out? I was thinking I could hand deliver your CDs and buy a beer for a late payment penalty.

Not sure if I'm gonna make it. My girlffriend still hasn't found out if she can get off work. Either way, you should go to the show. They'll melt your face.

[marsdaddy]

I am, nobody has really blown my hair back yet. I don't want to call him on it yet. He's the clubhouse leader so far.

1 of 2

What happened to Gore last night? I had him in my big boy league.Pretty sad, on both counts.

I'm constantly interviewing. I use vibes, mojo, and aura as my ultimate criteria.

[TurdBerglar]

like anyone's honest