Honesty in Interviews

I recently received some questions about how to make sure candidates are telling the truth during an interview. I think it's worth reminding both candidates and hiring managers that it's not in their best interest to lie during the interview. Do people do it? Sure, and there are some simple ways to make sure you can spot it (I'll go over this more this week). This could be as big as making up a full story of how they handled a fake situation based on what they think the interviewer wants to hear, or as small as saying they know how to use software they don't. It's true that so many people prep for interviews with their only goal being to "get the job", but that's just the first step.
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There's very little upside for a candidate that misrepresents themselves during the interview just to briefly get the job - they will likely not last long in the role, lose a potential reference for their future job search, and if it becomes a pattern it can ruin their reputation. It's a really painful process for everyone involved.
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If you're in an interview and you don't have an answer to a question, be honest. Ask for a moment to think of an example if one doesn't immediately spring to mind. Most interviewers have other questions they can give you instead if you're truly stumped and won't judge you for it. It shows integrity and vulnerability to say that you don't know something or don't have an answer.
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If you're a hiring manager or interviewer, assume candidates have best intentions while also getting as much information as possible to get the full picture. But don't approach the interview by not trusting or suspecting the person you're interviewing, that will get in the way of your assessment and could hurt their impression of you. Make sure you're honest in answering their questions about the role and company as well.
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Have you had anyone mislead you in an interview? More tips on how to ask the right questions and ensure you get what you need to make a hiring decision this week!