Over exaggerated on job application

[Nordman]

I really exaggerated my contribution to a project on a job application, I didn't lie, in that I did work on this project, but my role was smaller and the successes not down to me - I wrote that I was more involved and triggered overall achievement. (Who doesn't exaggerate on applications?)
I have a job interview on Monday and I'm really panicking now because I've just discovered someone on the interview panel was on the same project and had a much more key role than me. The job I'm going for is in a different business area so there was no reason to think anyone I currently work in would be involved in the recruitment!
There were other areas I wrote about in my application which were all completely true, and I am experienced enough for the job except this specific thing, and were it not for the interviewer being present I could have confidently talked about the experience I exaggerated.
What do I do? Should I fess up and say I exaggerated and talk about how I think I am capable of what I wrote? Or do I just roll with what I wrote and hope the person doesn't tear me down?

Roll with it!! Always believe in what you’re saying 100% even if it means convincing yourself!

Who doesn't exaggerate on applications?

Most people I'd hope, I've never done it and I can't believe I'm in any way unique

I can't really suggest what to do, it's too late to change anything now

I’d not employ someone who showed that lack of integrity unless they came clean and acknowledged they’d lied.

How much exaggeration are we talking here?

I would think the other person on the interview panel will be looking forward to this interview very much...

Everyone exaggerates even employers lie about the work culture, perks abd so called flexibility. Are you sure it isn't just the sane name but different people? If i exaggerated a bit too much I would make up an excuse to cancel the interview and move on learning from my mistake. The 2 crucial factors are how much exaggeration and can you live (work) with someone that knows the truth? If you can't then find another opportunity and send in your apologies.

How much and in what ways did you exaggerate? I think there’s a way of rolling with it that means you big up more the collaborative efforts of the team as the whole, as x interviewer knows, you really felt happy with your contributions and were pleased it was such a successful project.

Can you imagine....?

So, Nordman, tell us about your crucial role in that project? It sounds so impressive.

Apparently most men exaggerate and it’s why they can get ahead more.

I’d bluff it out. Maybe the project was big enough that some people involved might not have been fully up to speed with the level of others contribution?

It depends upon what your personal definition of exaggeration is. A huge number of men will cal it self-confidence, will get the job and will nail every aspect of it despite not matching a lot of job criteria or requirements.
Women hold back and want to be 100% sure before they make a move.
Are you talking about this sort of stuff of is is more objective than this? Like a crucial part of an experiment? That is quantifiable and is a serious inaccuracy/lie.

@Tittiana

Can you imagine....?

So, Nordman, tell us about your crucial role in that project? It sounds so impressive.

I do know someone that happened to in an interview!

They applied for a permanent job at a place they were temping and We’re fairly useless as a temp. Went for. The permanent post, knowing their manager would be reviewing them. Job application was bollocks from start to finish saying they’d done x y and z when they hadn’t at all.

I applied for a job once stating that in my current role I was responsible for some specific stuff. It was true but I’d only had that responsibility for a week before applying for a different organisation. I didn’t spell that out. If they assumed I’d been doing it for the 2 years I’d worked there that’s down to them.

I got the job and I’ve been fine doing it.

I couldn’t show my face. You need to walk in and just be breezy and own what you said op but I just couldn’t. What a nightmare.

Depends how far from the truth we’re talking here?!

The sort of exaggeration: I said I secured a new client, when actually I did all the in depth research into the client, prepped how we would work well with them, but then someone more senior than me (not the one interviewing) used my research and info to actually make contact. So I was involved in it and I know that given the opportunity I could have done the rest, but this project didn't allow me the authority. This sort of thing is what I mean by exaggerating, I wrote a few things like this, worded to indicate I did more than I did.

I’ve been your interviewer.

@Sparklingbrook is not wrong.

They tried to brazen it and I let my colleague lead on all the relevant questions (also, I hadn’t told my colleague as didn’t want to bias) but my god, the sweat patches, drips off their face and flush on their cheeks.

@Nordman

The sort of exaggeration: I said I secured a new client, when actually I did all the in depth research into the client, prepped how we would work well with them, but then someone more senior than me (not the one interviewing) used my research and info to actually make contact. So I was involved in it and I know that given the opportunity I could have done the rest, but this project didn't allow me the authority. This sort of thing is what I mean by exaggerating, I wrote a few things like this, worded to indicate I did more than I did.

That sounds fine. Without all your ground work the client might not have been secured.

Depends how far from the truth we’re talking here?!
^this

It’s completely normal to exaggerate for job applications, I mean even employers do when they say “leading _ company” or bs about how valued all of their employees are in the advert

That sounds fine to me too op - your info on the prospective client enabled all that to happen :)
Good luck

I agree that securing a client is quite subjective situation. If you lied about specifics, like seeing the client or presenting the actual pitch, then that is serious. If you used the words ‘secured a client’ or something to that effect, then it will be ok I think. The worst outcome could be they would think you probably overestimate your capability. Best possible scenario could be that they will consider you are confident in what your part in it achieved and that is a good sign.
I would say roll with it.

Apologies cross post, and I agree that sounds fine
@Thewithesarehere put it well^

I'm another one that thinks this project sounds big enough that they won't know all the details of who did what. In the example you gave, if they ask about the client, just big-up yourself and the senior colleague who actually secured the client.

I also very much agree about men bigging themselves up like this without a second thought, whereas women tend to be much more cautious.

Go for it. Just be enthusiastic about what a great job everyone on the project did - that way you are giving credit to yourself, whilst not being dishonest or making out you were the star of the show.

Good luck!

Agree with poster up thread that men big themselves up all the time without ever feeling shame or maybe not even realising their are exaggerating.

I think that's fine, your research was used to secure the client. If you can talk in detail about the part your interviewer played, what you've learned from that and how you'd use that info in a similar project going forward then that would sound ok.

And this is why you never lie on a CV. You should pull out rather than waste their time and humiliate yourself. Take this as a lesson learned.