It’s an old truism of human resources: If a candidate lies during a job interview, they’re automatically disqualified. No ifs, no buts. Lack of character is not one of the traits you want in your prospective employees.
But how to spot a lie? There are consummate liars out there, but if you know what signs to look for, it will be easy to weed out unreliable candidates.
Contradictions
Start the interview process with neutral, nonthreatening questions and move from there to more specific areas. When you spot a contradiction, make more questions. Try to gain a better understanding of the issue at hand to determine whether this is actually a contradiction or only a misunderstanding. If the former is true, then you should be on alert.
No Specific Details
Most often than not, liars don’t mention specific details, since it’s hard to keep track of them. They also represent a hazard for the person telling the lie, since the more details they add, the more weapons they place in the hands of a suspecting interlocutor. Look for this absence of specific details, and if you notice it, find a way to gently press the candidate to provide more details.
Observe Body Language and Eye Movement
These two elements together can give you a pretty good idea of the state of mind of a candidate during an interview. People who lie try to make themselves smaller, as if to hide in plain sight. They may also hide their hands, so you’re not able to see their fingers fidgeting nervously. As for eye movement, if a candidate is not able to look at you in the eye, that’s a sign that should put you almost automatically on guard.
Pay Attention to Micro-Facial Expressions
The face is the mirror of the soul, according to an old saying. At least, it can offer important clues to spot a lie. Establish eye-contact during the interview and don’t interrupt it. Study carefully the face of the other person as they speak. Perspiration, flaring nostrils or rapid blinking are some of the behaviors you might observe when someone is lying.
Notice if They Stop Talking About Themselves
Often, when someone tells a lie, they will try to distance themselves from it. If the candidate you’re interviewing has been talking about something in a personal fashion and all of a sudden they shift the focus to other people, that’s a sign that indicates they may be telling a lie.
Finally, remember that if you notice only one of these signs alone you should not assume the other person is lying. Try to consider other factors that may be at play such as natural nervousness or shyness.
These tips will be useful during an interview, but to make sure you hire the most trustworthy candidates you need assistance from the professionals.
At Plexus Global we ensure global candidate screening through tailored solutions and the most reliable technology.
Contact us today by telephone ((844) 516-1008), email or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about our services or schedule an initial discussion with one of our experienced professionals.
