5 Surprising Signs Your Interviewee is Lying to You (#5 Strategy for the win)

Let's be real: no one likes being lied to. And when it comes to job interviews, being lied to can have serious consequences - like hiring an unqualified or untrustworthy candidate, or damaging your company's reputation. That's why it's important to be able to spot when a candidate is being dishonest. Here are some tips for catching those sneaky liars in the act:

1. Pay attention to body language: Nonverbal cues can often give liars away. Look for signs of discomfort, like fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, or sweating like they just ran a marathon (even if the interview is taking place over Zoom).

2. Watch for discrepancies: If a candidate's story doesn't quite add up, or they give conflicting information, it could be a red flag that they're not being completely honest. Pay close attention to the details of their responses and don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions to clarify any inconsistencies.

3. Notice changes in language: Liars may use more vague or evasive language, or may use filler words like "um" or "ah" more frequently. They may also repeat or deflect questions rather than answering directly. In other words, they might sound like a broken record (or a politician).

4. Look for extreme reactions: Liars may overreact to questions or become defensive in an attempt to distract from their dishonesty. On the other hand, they may also try to downplay their responses or appear unemotional in order to avoid arousing suspicion. Basically, if they're acting like they just won an Oscar for "Best Performance in a Job Interview," they might be trying a little too hard.

5. Trust your instincts: If something about a candidate's responses or behavior seems off to you, trust your gut and probe further. It's better to ask a few additional questions and clarify any doubts than to make a hiring decision based on incomplete or misleading information.

In addition to these general tips, there are also several specific tactics you can use to uncover lies during an interview:

1. Use open-ended questions: Open-ended questions allow the interviewee to expand on their responses and provide more detailed information. This can help you identify any inconsistencies or evasive language that may indicate dishonesty.

2. Ask for examples: Asking for specific examples of a candidate's experience or skills can help you verify their claims and gauge the authenticity of their responses. It's kind of like the old saying goes: "Show, don't tell."

3. Use follow-up questions: Follow-up questions can help you clarify any unclear or vague responses and get to the bottom of any discrepancies. It's like peeling an onion - you have to keep asking questions to get to the truth at the center.

4. Use scenario-based questions: Asking the candidate how they would handle a specific situation or challenge can help you assess their problem-solving skills and honesty. It's a great way to see how they think on their feet.

5. Use control questions: Control questions are questions that you already know the answer to, but that the interviewee doesn't. Asking the candidate a control question and comparing their response to the correct answer can help you determine whether they are being truthful. It's like a little lie detector test.

Now, it's important to note that while these tactics can be helpful in spotting lies during an interview, they are not foolproof. Some people are just really good at deception and may be able to deceive even the most experienced interviewer. Spotting lies during an interview requires paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, looking for discrepancies and inconsistencies, and using tactics like open-ended questions, follow-up questions, scenario-based questions, and control questions to clarify and verify the candidate's responses. While it's not always easy to spot a liar, using these strategies can help you make an informed and confident hiring decision.