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7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
From salary hikes to training and induction, here's how employers fib with fresh hires in a job interview.
...And you thought only job candidates lie during interviews!
You have a lot of information, a number of guides, and plethora of advises about how you should never lie during an interview.
You have plenty of examples of how job candidates either lie or exaggerate their skills, work experience, and other factors. However, did you know that even employers tend to exaggerate a lot?
More often than not, they sugar-coat reality in order to attract candidates.
Before attending another job interview, it is advisable that you uncover the most common exaggerations that employers tell in a job interview so that you are prepared.
1. We decide the salary based on the experience
This is an absolute exaggeration.
While a few companies may decide the pay scale based on experience, most of the companies out there already have a listing of salaries as per the role in question.
When your employer says this, you should understand quite clearly that he or she is bluffing.
It is recommended that you talk about salary only after the job looks certain.
However, if you are asked for an estimate, (most companies will actually filter candidates out based on the expected pay scale, which is why they'll ask you of your expectations) you have to be prepared.
Before the interview, do a quick scan about your industry, your location, and your job position.
Compare these three factors and see what the average pay is.
Don't be too desperate for the job, ending up lowering your expectations than the average.
Simply state what you have in mind but also mention that you are open to negotiation such as compensation in the form of vacation, etc.
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7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
2. Our salaries are fair
Truth be told, there are employers who don't even care about the legal wage.
They may not even be aware of the standard rate in the particular industry.
They will follow their own payment scheme but portray that they are offering fair and competitive salaries.
To see if they are really speaking the truth, do your homework.
Look online for latest salary reports to see if the employer was exaggerating.
7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
3. We hire nothing short of the best
'The best' is clearly an exaggeration. No one actually looks for the best today.
Employers want one great quality according to the job position in question.
Sometimes, managers want to hire a candidate who is much less competent than they are. So, no, they don't hire 'the best'.
7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
4. We have complete faith in our employees
Erm, no. The faith ends at making it mandatory to CC the manager in every e-mail.
You also have to accept harsh feedback as and when you try getting creative because some managers simply can't digest it.
This includes having a fancy e-mail signature.
7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
5. We provide complete training, help, and support
Unless 'complete' means giving you a manual and expecting you to go through it immediately and get ready, not many companies provide complete training, help, and/or support.
Some companies will go to the extent of briefing you on things that you can't do. That's that.
7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
6. We care very much about work-life balance
Honestly, no one cares about your personal life.
Work-life balance will be achieved only when you accept that work IS your life moving forward.
Whether you want to spend some time with your family or whether you want to go on a vacation is completely irrelevant to employers.
They want you to work no matter what.
Some employers may be kind enough to give you a two- to three-day break but that's where the line is drawn.
7 BIG lies employers tell you in a job interview
7. We will definitely contact you in the future
This is an indirect way of rejecting you.
The employer simply wants to say that your resume won't be chucked into the dustpan. However, you should remember that the company’s filing cabinet is usually loaded with copious numbers of similar resumes.
They don't generally go back to them. What you should do here is play smart.
Don't be dejected by the rejection and don't lose all contact with the employer.
Use social media or the email to stay in touch so that you are remembered.
When you keep in touch, the chances of the employer coming back to you will be significantly higher.
Remember that just because you are looking for a job, you don't have to believe everything you are told and you don't have to compromise.
If you have enough skills and experience, a good company will definitely hire you. You just need to be patient.
While these are common exaggerations, some companies go over the top and come up with ridiculous exaggerations as well.
If you come across such employers, it is suggested that you walk out the door yourself.
You really don't need to work with people who would go to great heights of exaggeration to attract candidates.