Are You Up To The Job?

Apr 27 2008

Take Our Lie Detector Test

THEY say honesty is the best policy but not everyone practises it at job interviews.

Recent research reveals that almost half of us admit to being economical with the truth by failing to reveal our true selves.

In a survey of 1000 workers, carried out by business psychology experts OPP, 36 per cent confessed they projected a different personality from their true one to prospective employers.

And it's not just staff who are putting on a front... 46 per cent of employees revealed the persona their boss put on during the interview wasn't real either.

Are you an interviewer faker? Would you have to take a lie detector test as pictured above? Take our quiz and find out.

1. You're asked how you got along with your manager in your previous job. Do you:

a) Admit your fraught relationship with him is why you need a new job?

b) Say you don't always see eye to eye but you always stay professional?

c) Fudge the issue by saying how you get along with everyone at work?

d) Say he's a great guy you're going to miss working with?

2. The interviewer wants to know why you want this job. Do you:

a) Say it's better than the dole?

b) Confess it's all about the money?

c) Insist the prospect of career advancement is alluring?

d) Announce this is the only company you've ever wanted to work for?

3. You're asked if you consider yourself a success. Do you:

a) Admit you struggle to hold down a job because you get bored easily?

b) Suggest success can't be measured only in terms of how well you've done in other jobs?

c) Embellish your track record, for example, by faking promotions?

d) Insist it was only your input that saved previous employers going bust?

4. The interviewer says it's important new workers be a team player. Do you:

a) Say you do your best work alone?

b) Confess to preferring a more solitary role but say you're very adaptable?

c) Talk about the times you've proved yourself a team player?

d) Boast that you are not only a team player but, in fact, team captain?

How you scored

Mostly As

Mostly Bs

Mostly Cs

Mostly Ds

How you rate

Honest

Evasive

Little liar

Faker