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Is Honesty The Best Policy?

Found the perfect job for you?

OK, you want it… badly. But do you tell the whole truth or a few white lies to get it?

Everyone loves little white lies. They get you out of trouble faster than a 'get out of jail free' card. Think of how often you've used them. How many people have you said looked good when you really thought the opposite? How many times have you assured someone that you've done something when you'd forgotten all about it?

Our trainees don't seem to have much use for them though. They've been pretty honest from the start. And they've been getting more frank with each other as the months have passed. Of course, being on TV helps – imagine how many people would grass them up if they told too many lies.

The question is will they stay this honest as their careers progress. Or will they join the growing ranks of people who tinker with the truth when applying for jobs.

Keeping quiet
There are some things that people prefer not to share with prospective employers. The information they want to hold back is usually to do with:

criminal records
financial problems
reasons for leaving a job
qualifications, achievements and experience.

They think that keeping quiet will improve their chances of getting a job. They may be right in the short term. But we live in a world with instant communication, computer networks and computerised records. It's hard to keep big things hidden for very long. When employers discover omissions, they usually ask the guilty party to leave – giving the person something else to keep quiet about in the future.

Manipulating the truth
Being blunt, this is lying. People change information to fit an application. Common changes are:

pretending to be a different age – to fit the perceived age requirements of a job
boosting qualifications, achievements and experience – to appear qualified to do a job
inventing an employment history – to cover any gaps.

People who change information run the same risks as those who keep quiet. If employers are really upset, they may even prosecute for deception.

Being a spin doctor
This is what most people do. They tell the truth but present themselves in the best possible light. They focus on what they've learned from the ups and downs in their careers. The best spinners can turn the worst experiences into selling points.

It's your decision
Employers value honesty. And, as the author Mark Twain said, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."

But, when it comes down to it, it's your decision. Just make sure that you think about the consequences before you decide what you're going to do. If you want more ideas before committing yourself, take a look at Dr Phil's advice.

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Is Honesty The Best Policy?

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