9 signs a candidate is lying
June 4, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: Background checks, Interviewing, Retention, Special Report
Though most candidates give honest interviews, there are always a few who invent or exaggerate achievements, skills, previous jobs, etc. Here’s how you and your managers can tell when someone’s lying.
There are several non-verbal signals people typically display when they’re telling a lie. These are some of the most common ones you and your managers should watch for during interviews, according to Wayne D. Ford, author of How to Spot a Liar in a Job Interview:
- Touching the face — for example, scratching the nose or covering the lips or chin
- Avoiding eye contact, (or, in some cases, looking the listener directly into the eyes for a long time because they’re trying to control eye movement, knowing it’s a giveaway)
- Sitting farther away from the interviewer than the interviewer intended
- Using a tone of voice that’s inconsistent with body language
- Putting a briefcase or other object in the lap
- Playing with objects (e.g., a pen or coffee mug) or placing them between themselves and the interviewer
- Using the exact words of the question when formulating an answer
- Looking down before or while answering a question
- Using only the mouth when making facial expressions — for example, a natural smile will utilize muscles in the entire face, whereas a liar will only make select movements.
Of course, spotting a liar isn’t an exact science. A perfectly honest person could display any of those signs for a number of reasons — for example, the interviewee may just be nervous.
But they could give you or a manager an indication that more probing questions need to be asked, or tell you what you’ll want to ask about when you check references.
Tags: dishonesty, interview, lies
May 28th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Some other signs of deception:
Nonverbal
- Crossing the arms and/or feet are classic defensive reactions to difficult or uncomfortable questions.
- Dry mouth and swallowing a lot.
- Dishonest people will often posture themselves in a “fleeing position.” Their upper body may be facing you, but their legs and feet might be pointing towards the door in an unconscious effort to flee from you.
Verbal
- Dishonest people will add what they believe to be credibility to their lies by saying expressions such as “I swear to God,” or “Honestly,” or “To tell the truth.”
June 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Of course, all of those things can also be indicative of nervousness and anxiety. Oddly enough, job interviews make a lot of people nervous…
June 5th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Wow! What a great article. I remember Bush, Cheney, Rove ALWAYS showed these traits.
June 5th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
In today’s diverse world, applicants may exhibit behaviors that are based upon norms in their country of origin. As example, in some middle eastern and African countries, looking a person of authority and/or an elder, in the eyes is an act of disrespect. “Fiddling” can also be a sign of nervousness. Parroting the words used in the question, is a communication technique taught to ensure understanding and clarity. Looking down may be a behavior exhibited by an applicant in thought. Verifying information and the use of multiple questions related to the same information to identify discrepancies are techniques I have found useful.
Diane Quinn-HRM/SPHR
June 5th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I would just caution interviewers against playing amateur psychologists and drawing conclusions from some of these “indicators”. People who are nervous, shy, insecure, etc. can also exhibit many of these traits without being dishonest at all. If you’re in doubt about an answer, just delve into the subject more during the interview and/or ask for documentation, if applicable.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I strongly disagree with these three as signs of dishonesty in an interview. Nervousness perhaps not dishonesty.
Playing with objects (e.g., a pen or coffee mug) or placing them between themselves and the interviewer
***I figet, especially when I am nervous. Figeting with a coffee mug or pen is a sign of nervousness, not dishonesty.
Using the exact words of the question when formulating an answer
***It is not uncommon to use the exact words of the question when you are trying to formulate an answer and you are thinking it over. If it is a tough question, it makes sense to repete it to make sure you understand it and it provides an extra few seconds to fill the quiet while you are thinking of a proper response.
Looking down before or while answering a question
***Again, not unusual as someone is trying to think through an answer. Staring at the interviewer can be distracting.
Not being able to provide details about an answer or not being able to answer further questions about an answer are good indicators something isn’t completely truthful. Not remembering things they put in their resume or cover letter are good indicators that something is fishy. Being completely unable to make eye contact is also suspicous. But unless someone is an expert at going to interviews, most people are nervous and most of these things are signs of nervousness which is far more likely than assuming a falsehood.
Patricia
June 8th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I agree with what the otehrs have said. Being nervous can make a person sow any number of the “giveaways”. Going through the resume in detail s a better way to evaluate the honesty of the applicant, since you have it in black and white and can compare answers as you press a point.
Many people are not professional applicants and so don’t do a lot of practicing of their responses to expected questions.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Nick – take your political leanings to another forum – this isn’t the place. (and by the way, 99% of politicians lie!)
I agree – these “indicators” don’t necessarily mean someone is lying. I would say this is definitely not an exact science!!!
June 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I completely agree with Sharon, besides a really skilled politician can lie without showing any signs at all!
June 26th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Pfft! – which episode of Murder She Wrote did you dredge up this unscientific and unsubstantiated garbage from?
July 17th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Emphasizing “I swear to God” or “Honestly”, et. al., can be a cultural communication habit. For example, in many Arab countries, speakers are considered to be insincere if they do not emphasize their sincerity. A good interviewer will, hopefully, keep this in mind.