In an average 10 minutes conversation with a
stranger, Psychologist and lying specialist Robert Feldman reckons that we will
lie 3 times, and if you actually think about it interviewees would
actually be crazy not to embellish and exaggerate their strengths during
an interview while underplaying their weakness. It is expected in a
competitive job market, and when there is a skill shortage across many
professional industries, it is often difficult to select interviewees from
large numbers of applicants, and it can be difficult to really get to know
someone during the short period of an interview, but consider the following
telltale signs that would enable you know if a candidate is just a talker;
Body language: Of course,
interview nerves may make the most honest candidate appear awkward at first,
but this should quickly settle as he or she becomes more comfortable in your presence.
There are many signs that an individual is not telling the truth, and many of
these are physical. Staying very still, and breathing heavily can indicate
dishonesty, as can sudden head movements or foot shuffling.
Difficulty speaking: When
someone is lying, they become stressed and this dries the mouth. Speech becomes
more difficult, and you may also notice lip biting or pursing, or covering the
mouth with the hands, in an attempt to close off communication about a
difficult subject, any substantial changes in tone, from suddenly dropping an
octave to slowing or speeding up speech dramatically, implies that the
candidate’s answer isn’t coming naturally to them, it may also imply that
they have not been entirely honest about some or all details.
Unusual Presentation: If you
are interviewing for a candidate for a management role, and the person in front
of you is nervous, jittery, dressed in too casual a manner or unsure of the
terminology appropriate for this type of role, this could be a warning sign
that things are not quite what they seem. Does the person you are interviewing
have the level of confidence that you would expect for the position they are
being interviewed for? This is a very important question to keep at the back of
your mind while conducting an interview.
Difficulty recalling
details: When an interviewee is discussing
previous projects and offering examples of his or her experience, you can often
gauge the truthfulness of the information by asking for details. Ask how many
people were involved in a previous project, or question the statistical success
or outcome. If an interviewee claims to have led a project but cannot answer
detailed questions, alarm bells should ring for you.
Repetition: If someone is
trying to convince you and themselves that they have the relevant experience or
skill to take a position, they may repeat themselves in an attempt to justify
this. Repetition allows the speaker to take the time to gather their thoughts
and think through the story they are telling.
Remember,
you might be wrong and you don’t want to write a great candidate off, simply
because nerves got the better of them. We spend our entire lives trying to
surround ourselves with people we trust and distance ourselves from those we
don’t. In the real world it comes down to gut feeling. If something doesn’t
sound or look right, rely on your gut instinct and question it further, and
don’t be satisfied until you have a satisfactory answer. You might still have
been lied to of course, but the chances are your interrogation over a potential
lie will have flushed out the truth, or at least a version of it.
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