How do you Un-Fib? 7

[CasperTFG]

I had a recent event where I had to tell a little fib.

I was approached with an opportunity to join a really great company, this would be my dream employer. But right now I don't have the skills they require, Though I am enrolled in a few courses that end mid way through next year that would give me those skills.

So I told a little fib that right now I was not looking for a position as I was leading a team in a big project that I needed to see through. But that I would be looking for a new position mid way through next year.

Not that much of a fib (I am always leading some project or another but nothing that would keep me from leaving). I just did not want to be denied because my skills were not where they needed them.

Anyway now is where the fib has come back to bite me. I saw a recent job posting for the same "dream employer" and they are looking to fill a position with all of the skills I already have.

How do I un-fib this one... I would love to apply for that position as my foot in the door, so that I could still learn and study and eventually move to the position I want.

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[DrJavaJoe]

I was approached with an opportunity to join a really great company...

It seems to me like common courtesy to offer a polite reason for not accepting a position when approached and I do not see the benefit in offering too much information on the reason why. I'm in the middle of a project and would like to see it through seems very reasonable. So an opportunity arises that contradicts the original statement that Casper made and made without malice, and Casper gets vilified and accussed of lacking any values and being fraud, wow.

Not much different from this:
Making love to spouse suddenly the phone rings, it's Mom. Mom sorry I cannot talk right now. Why not son? uhhh well since I cannot tell a lie and i must always tell every detail here goes...


Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'.

 

[kHz]

I just did not want to be denied because my skills were not where they needed them.

Why not explain this to the employer? Many employers will hire someone if they believe that individual has potential, which may have been the case for the original position that was rebuffed with a lie.

As an employer I would like someone to be honest with me. Tell me the above statement, and let me decide if they are qualified. Not tell me they need to see a big project to finish. So later, when another position opens, and you feel you are qualified you attempt to get the job.

I am amazed how many people see this as proper and isn't lacking in showing any character.

What happened with upfront honesty?

"Working for company abc is where I have wanted to work for so long because of the reputation of the company and how employees are treated. And the position would be a great challenge and offers so many opportunities. I know I can do the job if I am given the chance. You mention you need skill Z, and you will see from my background I have excelled many times with new technologies; if given the chance you will not be disappointed."

Show enthusiasm and excitement. Don't flat out say I am not qualified, but create a product they want to buy.

What is wrong with honesty?

 

[chiph]

If I were the interviewer, I'd be asking you some questions about the technology I was looking to hire for. If you couldn't answer them (or worse -- tried to BS your way through them), you'd be a no-hire.

If you did manage to get through the interview process and come on board, and you then proved unable to perform, I'd be *really* mad, as you've wasted everyone's time and money. At that point, you're in the "burned a bridge" category.

So, my advice is, speak honestly about what you are able and not able to do. It'll be better for you over the long run, as you develop a reputation for integrity.

Chip H.


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[EBGreen]

DJJ:

It seems to me like common courtesy to offer a polite reason for not accepting a position when approached and I do not see the benefit in offering too much information on the reason why.

While I agree with this in principle, the original post seemed (to my mind) more devious than a little white lie to maintain good relationships with a prospective employer. It sounded as if the story were merely being used as a stalling tactic to give time to attain skills that the employer was looking for. This seems somewhat underhanded to me. Then we find out that it is actually not the employer that is being lied to at all, but an old college aquaitance. These seems unethical on a personal level let alone the profession implications.

[red]"... isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway?! I mean, all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you are good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit!" - The Tick[/red]

 

[KellyK]

Honey, does this dress make me look fat?

I'm with Java Joe here. The OP recognizes that he was not 100% honest, but let's not make him into a monster. How many times do companies tell white lies? It would have been worse if he would have tried to claim he had the necessary skills prematurely. I say go for the new position there and don't worry about your lie. I doubt it will come up, but if it does, say something similar to what Java Joe suggested - that you're confident that someone else can lead the project at this point.

Good luck!

Kelly

 

[DataDog]

kHz
Air Force? ("TI" and "Basic" Training might have given you away).

And I agree with you, I don't tolorate "fibbing" well. People who fib their way into a job self inflict ID-Ten-T errors on themselves.... (ID10T)

DataDog
'Failure Is Not An Option'

 

[kHz]

Yes, it was the Air Force. My mom wanted me to join the Navy but I didn't want to be stuck on a ship with a lack of females !

 

[svanels]

The response of kHz was not politically refined, but it is his way of expressing himself.
Are we part of a technical forum, or just a bunch of politicians? Politicians say a lot of nasty things to you, and you think it is a compliment
For the ones with long sore toes, watch out because someone (not necessarily kHz) could pass by with a tank on caterpillar tracks..

Amusing post, learned some new acronyms ID-Ten-T, the header I was looking for to camouflage the BS map



Steven

 

[CasperTFG]

Just to clear things up, I did not lie to try and get a position, I lied to give a different reason for NOT applying to the position.

I would rather tell someone who could get me into the company that I am not looking right now, than to tell him I am not qualified to work with your company.

The new position that I am applying for with XYZ Company I am very well qualified for. In an interview I doubt they would even ask about why am I looking now but not before, my old classmate is the only one I told this to and is not part of hiring me besides submitting my resume.

Once my resume is in I am on my own with whatever skills I have.

Casper

There is room for all of gods creatures, "Right Beside the Mashed Potatoes".

 

[svanels]

Maybe you tried to impress your "friend", that is part of human nature, we all do it.
Is your friend the CEO, HRM director or the Mr BIG IT in that company? If not, why bother?
But you mentioned:

I was approached with an opportunity to join a really great company

The grass is always greener at the other side of the fence

If your friend receives a bonus of $500 to bring someone in, probably that company has to lock the gates because a lot of employees are jumping out the windows to escape. I would inquire what their employee turnover rate is, before jumping onto a ship like that.

In my career I also have advised to hire some employees, I have known for very long time, after number 3, I stopped giving advice because 33% couldn't catch up to expectations.

When someone asks me about a job, I give them the standard route through HRM, If I need something, I take it out of the pool over there.
Employing someone is more than just thinking about salary and knowledge. The first thing management asks is a justification, and if you consider kHz blunt, hmm.. don't face the Gods at my place

Steven

 

[KellyK]

If your friend receives a bonus of $500 to bring someone in, probably that company has to lock the gates because a lot of employees are jumping out the windows to escape.

I disagree! My employer offers the same $500 bonus because current employees are the best source for referrals. Wouldn't you rather hire someone whom someone in your organization can vouch for versus some unknown off the street?

Kelly

 

[LadySlinger]

I'm with Kelly!

Most companies do offer a compensation. As long as the referred employee completes their 90 days, then you get a referral bonus. Actually all companies that I have worked for have done this. Yes, certain departments, like sales or mortgage lenders, had a higher turn over, but the ones that got referred in lasted longer than the ones that came from Monster.com. But all the places I worked at the Admin department lasts...in fact where I work now, it's job opening only happen when they create a new position. Everyone else has been here 8+ years...and they still give a bonus towards referrals. Its more the company thanking you for giving them a qualified employee than "Please help us keep a good number of staff.

 

[svanels]

500 bucks, an idea to bring up in the next management meeting , unfortunately we are not hiring (at least in the lower to mid ranks) and there are locks on our gates to keep everybody out.

There goes a golden opportunity

But how is it with the complaints about lack of opportunity, outsourcing, offshoring, no job etc..

Oke, if your company gives you 500 bucks for a new employee, that proves that you are doing a good job.
If you were the notorious black sheep, probably management would not let your twin brother/sister enter in the circus.

Here there are a lot of family relations on the workfloor, 650+ employees, but as far as I know, they never offered money.
If I could cash all the kudos...

Hope I did not crush to much with my tank

Steven

 

[LadySlinger]

You know how when you're hired in, and the manager or HR person gives you the overview of the Employeehandbook and then you never read it?
Usually in tiny small letters they'll say that the employee will be compensated. Most companies offer that incentive, but its the responsibility of the HR person to pass the word on to the employees. The last company I worked for had discounts with Dell, Ford, Chrysler, Bally's Fitness, etc. But you had to go to their web site click on 2-3 links to find this out...they never told you.

as fr companies offshoring, lacking opportunity, those are the companies with the CEOs and such that like to keep that pretty penny in their pocket. Those companies probably still offer the incentive, but its much harder to get into that company.

 

[svanels]

If it was in the employee book I would have known, my staff is always looking for making extra money, so I know the rules for overtime, working on shift, working on sunday, compensation day etc.. by heart. There is always somebody trying to bend the rules in his advantage. So we take the "bible"...
Something like that, they would sniff it miles away.

Steven

 

[LadySlinger]

Huh...then you're probably out of luck on that benefit. The only other thing is if something is given under the table and told not to brag. From the sounds of how you describe your company this doesn't seem to be the case.