Advice re. handling 'dishonesty' at Job Interviews

Hi,

I have created a bit of a dilemma for myself with regard to a new job offer.

Let me briefly explain the situation.

I am currently pursuing postgraduate study through distance learning and will sit my final exams at the end of this month. I resigned from my job a few weeks ago due mainly to the adverse impact this job was having on my studies – basically I could not do both so decided to quit the job and concentrate on the studies. The main reasons the job impacted on my studies were the hours of work (shift work and requirement to be constantly available i.e. outside of working hours) and the commuting time (min. 2 - 3 hrs each day). This basically meant that I had little time or energy to dedicate to studying which has its own substantial requirements. The net effect of this was that I was underperforming in both the job and studies and also neglecting family and friends. I advised my boss of my situation and offered my resignation but he refused it initially. We tried to work around the situation over the first few weeks of notification but the situation did not improve so eventually he agreed to accept my resignation. After finishing my job I decided that I would spend the remaining summer catching up on coursework and preparing for final exams and in the meantime I would also pursue suitable employment.

I applied for a particular job while working in my last job that matches my particular requirements and circumstances i.e. role and responsibilities, closer to home and more suitable hours of work. I was subsequently called for interview (shortly after finishing job) and at the initial interview when queried about my current job, I had said that I wished to leave for the reasons outlined above even though I had already left. I said this thinking that by stating that I had already resigned from a job without another job to go to would adversely affect my chances of getting this job as I felt the interviewer would question my commitment e.g. why should this company hire me if I left current job because I was pursuing further education.

Anyway, I was called for a second interview and when asked by another interviewer about my current work situation again I stated that I was still working with this company but wanted to leave for the reasons as outlined above.

I have subsequently been offered the job and really want to take it but I now feel that by being ‘dishonest’ with regard to my employment status, that this will come back and bite me if I do not do something about it now and I am equally fearful that by admitting to ‘dishonesty’ that the company will renege on the job offer / contract.

I would appreciate any advice on how best to handle this situation.

thanks

Hi Les Bleues

Whilst I wouldnt encourage dishonesty at interviews I suspect most people tell a few porkies or gloss over a situation at times, so your not on your own there!

Probably the most important thing is that you left your previous employment on good terms with your boss and he obviously values your work if he refused to accept your resignation and therefore will give you a good reference.
Is the gap between jobs longer than 4 weeks if not then just say you were taking holidays owed if asked, if the gap is considerably larger than 4 weeks then do you know him well enough to ask him not to mention your leaving date when asked for reference? e.g "John worked for x ltd for 3 years from 3rd january 2003"

With regard to your new employers they probably wont even notice as your p45 from your last job is the only thing with the date of leaving on it and nobody studies that to hard except the payroll dept or a/cs person and they wont care a hoot what it says. even if the date is mentioned in the reference, employers are only concerned with the content i.e good person good timekeeper etc and not the issue of a couple of weeks.

I hope you dont mind me saying that you sound a bit like the proverbial person who has an extra marital affair and has to confess to the spouse to clear his conscince (spelling?) and in the process making him/her feel better and making the spouse feel worse. If you tell your new employer that you told Pork Pies during the interview they may be forced to act in some fashion and that probably wont be to give you a rise! If you dont say anything then you wont feel any better but they wont feel any worse and no action may be taken at all!

Best of Luck
Sorry for blogging on & on
Finbarr

You'll do more harm in this case I think by coming clean. It really is so close to being a Daz-white lie, I'd say keep the head up and say nothing. Reference from former employer is surely irrelevant as you would not normally use "current" employer as a referee.

Say nothing. If a (potential) employee came to me with a confession along those lines I would think "flake," not "what an honest chap."
Ideally you should have told the truth in the first place of course (with my 20/20 goggles on).

I agree nt00deep that former (current) employer should not be an issue as I have already given another previous employer as referee.

In general, I would have no problem with references from any previous employer. I think my 'catholic guilt' was getting the better of me-just wanted to hear some different opinions.

I do realise now that the preferred situation was to not have told a 'lie' in the first place.

I think I will reconsider that extra-marital affair after all given my propensity to feel guilt.....

Thank you all for your advice.

Les Bleues

I'd say nothing. They offered you the job based on your skills, not whether you had a job now or not. Sometimes too much honesty in job interviews gets you nowhere!

Agree with other posters.

Who is to say the interviewer didn't just misunderstand you with regard to "working right now" for your old company.
Or maybe you didn't quite catch the question etc.

I'd take the opportunity when next in discussions with the prospective employer to tell them that you have actually resigned from your current job. If possible, avoid telling them exactly when you resigned, just let them know that you are no longer with that company.

Would they get to see your date of last employment when they get your tax details if you take up the job?

Hi Rainyday,

That was my original concern-that they could potentially see the date of leaving last employment from my P45 on starting in the new position and then query as to why I did not tell them this during the interview process. How would they react to this?

I have lead the company to believe that I will be handing in my notice to previous ('current') employer on the basis of accepting their job offer.

My next discussions will most likely be when I start as I have informally accepted the job offer and currently waiting to sign a contract.

Les Bleues

There is a perfect way around the P45 issue. Give it directly to the tax office yourself and give them the details of your new employer yourself. That way the tax office processes it and send's out a tax cert to your new employer and they are none the wiser.

I have did this a couple of times and it worked for me.

Hi dillon1876,

If that's possible, then yes it would appear to be the way around the P45 issue, which really is my concern.

What do I say to new employer if I go this route and asked for P45?

thanks

thanks Jaybird, sounds good!

I think it is dangerous to take on a new contract of employment based on such fundamental untruths as this. Ireland is a small country - the truth may well come out at some stage. Do you fancy explaining this to your new boss in 6 months time (when you have no protection under unfair dismissals)?

I dont think you have anything to worry about. Sometimes we tell the odd white lie to get on in life. It isnt hurting anyone. And the chances of this coming back to haunt you are slim to none. And if it does, then you will be able to deal with it.
Good Luck!