I have the first in my next slew of job interviews tomorrow...and, as always, I'm all worked up over it, especially since my last batch of interviews resulted in me not getting a job.

Why?

Because I was too honest.

Job interviews always make me feel so terrible (along with applications) because introverts like us consistently HAVE TO lie on applications and at interviews to get a job. For example: what do you like better, working alone, or in a team? Everyone knows that for a low-level service-industry position (hell, probably for any position in this extrovert society) you have to mention how much you love teamwork and shit like that in order not to look like some sort of mental case. The truth? I hate working in teams. It's always awkward and no one can ever get along, no matter how hard I work at being agreeable. But I have to lie in order to get the job...

At the last job interview I had, (which was for a cashier position at a grocery store) I owned up to the fact that my least favorite task at work was usually changing trash bins, because I have a very accute sense of smell (actually part of the reason I got effectively kicked off my last job was because I couldn't change the trash bins out in the lobby without gagging and dry-heaving constantly, and someone complained about it). After the interview, when I asked my father about what he thought went wrong (he's a serial interviewee--he interviews for jobs he's not even really interested in, who knows why, maybe he's bored), he said that the garbage response probably did me in, seeing as how I had full availability, work experience, and a surfeit of education. He said I probably should have said something like "sometimes I worry about not doing work correctly, or if I'm bothering managers by asking too many questions".

That makes sense, but it's not the truth. It's not the first thing that comes to my mind. In fact, it usually isn't even a worry or weakness of mine, outside of the usual first day jitters. I know that the response he came up with is more PR friendly and such, and I'll probably use something like that at the upcoming interview, but I just hate hate HATE doing it. I hate lying. I hate making up all that bullshit about myself, and then being paranoid the whole time I'm employed there that I act nothing like how I represented myself on my application/at the interview.

So, I guess the whole point of this post is me wondering how you all cope with having to lie about basically everything in order to get a job. I just...can't cope with it. I feel miserable for days afterwards and can't get anything done. Even if I do get the job, I just feel worse because I lied to get it. Is there any job out there where you don't have to lie to get hired?

Probably not for a person like me, I suppose.

this wont help you much, but whatever. i just kind of accepted the fact that lying is an essential factor of getting through life for me. if id answer every question truthfully, it would result with worrying and/or antipathy or even worse things from the other party, things i dont want, so i just do it without hesitation. in my application for that school, i also wrote that im good at teamwork, that im reliable etc without feeling bad at all, the people that are judging me probably did lie as well at some point to get into the position of being able to decide in the first place. everybody does it, people lied to me too often to make me feel bad about doing the same thing to them, but on the other hand, i never had a job interview, i can imagine its very hard to lie them straight into their eyes, the kind of eyes that have the possible power to see through you and your actions. i barely look people in the eyes at any place so i cant relate really. i'm really anxious of having to go to such an interview as well in the future. and no, i cant think of any conventional job where u dont have to lie to get hired, every usual job i can think of now has an social aspect in it.

Once, my brother asked me this question a long time ago. I thought it was a honest inquiry so answered that I'd like to work alone rather than with people. He replied something along the lines of "are you some kind of freak?"




I doubt it. Maybe if you have a contact that can get you a job perhaps. Otherwise seems you have to separate your business-self from your personal-self.

Lying is pretty much part of the process unless you're a simple-minded stooge that actually likes all those horrid things they ask about. It's nice afterward, though, because I feel the tension is released. The interview always seems more stressful than the actual job. I didn't tell a whole bunch of lies when I got interviewed for my current job, but I definitely talked about a lot of business-related BS that I don't actually have any interest in because those management types love to hear it. I don't work in the public eye so my case is different, but I basically don't put up any sort of front now that I have the job and have been there for about 6 months. If you have the option to apply anywhere that doesn't involve customers and stuff, I'd definitely advise it.

The way i see it, if those people would be more accepting and tolerant instead of just accepting to hear what they want to hear you wouldn't need to lie in the first place. You would probably feel bad but you're not lying reasonless, you are completely capable for the job, the only problem is that some (meaning; close-minded and judging people) might have problems with your way of being (like koi said with his story about his brother). If they can't handle the truth, they don't deserve the truth. I don't personally know if every job has a social aspect in it, but judging from the state of the world (1st world) it's quite likely, sorry, but as FONEternal said, if you have the chance for a customer free job, i highly recommend that as well.

I hope this can help you a little.

If the interviewer asks you questions about your weaknesses, the correct answer is to take something good and add 'too/overly' in front of it. For example, "I sometimes worry that I'm overly careful." or "I sometimes worry that I try to do things too perfectly."

lying itself doesn't bother me at all it's keeping the pack of lies straight that i fret about. i often don't remember what lies i've told who since they all ask different questions.i haven't had a call back in over a year so i don't realy need to worry too much. i don't think that there is a job you can be honest about your life and get.

Wow! You should have objurgated him for his impudence and bawdy disposition! What kind of ill-mannered person speaks to his siblings with such odious comments?
You were merely stating you predilection while working!

You betcha!