To lie about a job offer?

[JustAWonderingMay]

Name changed for this.

So, I'm I'm a fixed term contract. I've been interviewing as this role is drawing to a close, however it was extended by a few months. If they asked me stay, I'd decline. Another company has expressed interest, but I don't want to work there either. Should I just lie and say I've had a job offer from somewhere else? It's one mediocre job after another, but they're making interviewees jump through hoops, the pressure to attend interviews from the recruitment agents is insane. So, lie about a job offer so the recruitment team and hiring harassing me? The chances of actually getting the job is slim anyway, and multiple rounds of interviews is rather insulting. Thoughts? Anyone lied about this before?

Why do you need to lie about an offer? I'm not sure I've understood your post.

Can't you just say "no thanks"?

You can. They’re unlikely to be hugely invested in the specifics and unless you work in a small, niche industry, they’re unlikely to find out anything about you once you’ve left. If you know you don’t want to stay where you are, just decline any contract extension and say you want to take a bit of time out to assess your next move / are keeping your options open / have a few irons in the fire.

If recruiters are hassling you about interviews you don’t want to take part in for jobs you don’t want, can’t you just say you’ve put your search on hold and don’t want to be contacted about any other offers for the next x months?

Whilst you don't want this job, if you lie about a job offer to the recruitment agent, they won't approach you for the next job which might be more suitable.

Don't burn your bridges, not in this market. Things are going to get tougher soon. A mediocre job is better than no job.

It just be honest. Say you aren’t planning to continue working in this field because the jobs offer progression or long term career stability, even though the recruitment process is incredibly onerous.

I've honestly tried. The recruiters are hell bent on commission above all else. One sent across the company policy, which was horrendous, and I said I'm not interested and she didn't stop calling or emailing me until I relented and interviewed, and low and behold, didn't get the job anyway. I don't want to burn bridges, but also don't want to be harassed.

Sorry you don’t want either job and I don’t understand why you can’t just say that? Am I missing is missing something? Recruiters work for you, regardless of their pressure for commission.

So the issue is the hassle from recruiters? Just ignore or block emails, screen calls or block numbers. They work for you not vice versa.

Just be clear with the recruiters what you are looking for and if approached say straight away you aren’t interested - they can be really persistent but just keep saying no

State that you are not interested in this role (but would welcome other leads - if applicable)

Next time say that you have already told them you are not interested, and if they contact you again about this role you will simply hang up.

Next time they mention this role, hang up.

I'd happily lie to an over pushy agency (as I got more senior I just told anyone that was pushy that I wouldn't use them to recruit for me)
I don't see the point in lying to your current employer - they'd expect to be asked to provide a reference.

Why would you lie? Just tell the recruiter that’s not the right role for you and tell them what you’re looking for.

The problem here is a lack of clear communication. You don't need to lie. You just need to tell the recruiters that you're not interested in jobs in x industry, or below x salary, or on contracts shorter than x period etc, and ask them to stop sending you these vacancies. Or if you want them to stop sending you stuff altogether, just say that.

Don't lie. It'll possibly come back to bite you.
Tell the recruiter no thank you to this one. Don't be pressured into doing an interview. Next thing they'll pressure you into an actual job.

So you allow yourself to be rail-raoded by someone at the end of a phone?
Ypu need to start looking for jobs yourself rather than agents, because their job is to merely highlight the job and then send you cv to company if you are interested. Their are your agent, it is up to you to use them as an agent. Yet you'd rather lie than address the issue.

We seem to regressing to the 1700s. Women who are too scared to open a door, answer a phone, or stand up for themselves. Passing on irrational fear and anxiety to kids.
How very depressing

Yes, I'd rather lie. And I did. Problem solved.

As for the second half of your comment, you need to go outside and get some fresh air. It is not that serious.

It really is that serious!
Who stripped you of your self-assuredness?
When you have to revert to an outright lie, you need to take a breath and think about where you have found yourself. Then sort your head out and deal with the situation like the grown-up that you are.
You are on a slippery slope.