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?

I don’t think you exaggerated as much as you think you did, OP! What you said sounds fine.

Plus, as pp mentioned, employers always lie about the scope of the role, and what they’re like as a company. They never tell you the actual role will end up being twice as much work as they mentioned, only without the juicy part that made you go for the role in the first place. Toxic workplace culture, narcissistic bosses, imminent financial collapse etc are never mentioned are they. I’ve never once had a job that actually matched the job description they sold it to me on. So what’s sauce for the goose....

@Namechangedforthisoct2

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

I would role with it too. Obviously at the interview don’t bring it up unless asked about it. Play it down slightly in person. Good luck OP.

@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's fine! Your (actual) role was pivotal in the securing of a new client. Just make sure you have a couple points to pull out about how your role was a crucial part of the overall success

I don’t really think you have lied or exaggerated. I’d go in and say up front you weren’t the one who closed the deal but without your groundwork it wouldn’t have happened.

Sounds like you did pay a big role in securing the client, so I wouldn't worry OP. Just because someone else actually made contact, sounds like they were using your research etc which was no doubt vital.

Your explanation is absolutely fine. Can’t catch a fish without a hook and it seems like you provided the hook. The very fact it was a project suggests it was team work and your part with in the team was instrumental in delivering the end result. Absolutely go in and slay them. Good luck for the interview. :)

@Posteni1

Your explanation is absolutely fine. Can’t catch a fish without a hook and it seems like you provided the hook. The very fact it was a project suggests it was team work and your part with in the team was instrumental in delivering the end result. Absolutely go in and slay them. Good luck for the interview. :)

This X 10. Don’t stutter, don’t give a pause. Own it and be fair to others who were part of the project. You will shine

Gosh you are all making me feel so much better, thank you. It's interesting what someone said about males vs females in this situation because I initially didn't feel confident in applying for this job and it was a male colleague who convinced me to go for it, he saw the requirements/my experience different to how I saw it.

If you think the job is within your capabilities then my advice would be fake it until you make it

All the very best of luck.

I was really worried about this but have you seen peoples LinkedIn its full of people describing things I know were cockups as massive successes.

Your achievement is well within normal realm of interview speak.

Also in interviews you will be able to use other examples.
I agree with pp most men wouldn't bat an eyelid at what you've done

OP, I agree you did not lie. It sounds to me like you are 'playing the game'. In your posts you refer to your part as small. I feel that maybe you are understating your part in your head. Be confident about what you did.

Exaggerating your role on a project is remarkably common - we are asked to look out for vagueness and if project skills were needed we be asking you to talk about them. You should think about alternative examples for competences

Could be worse OP....

I remember my old boss doing graduate interviews. Our company was one of those big milk round employers with prestigious grad scheme.

She came back laughing about some poor graduate who'd put 'fluent mandarin' on their application. Sadly for them my boss had lived and worked in China for 8 years so knew a spattering of mandarin. Graduate was greeted with a torrent of 'welcome how are you today?' In mandarin. Blank look. Awkward pause. Excruciating admission of serious exaggeration.

They finished the interview but I'm guessing it was a painful lesson learned.

How did the interview go today?

@Nordman how did it go?

I’d never exaggerate! Do people really do that?!?

It’s grounds for dismissal for gross misconduct!

I think it went ok. I could answer all of the questions and the atmosphere felt quite relaxed. So now I just wait and see, hopefully I will hear back soon! Thanks everyone for the comments here.

Exaggerating your role on a project is remarkably common

It appears it is common going by the number of posters on this thread who think the OP's lying is perfectly acceptable. And let's call it what it is. Lying.

Maybe you'll get lucky OP and get away with it. To be honest, I hope you don't. Taking credit for the work of someone else is pretty low. You're not the kind of person I'd want on my team. Just tell the truth on your c.v. and tell the truth in your interviews. You'd be surprised how many liars (or "exaggerators") get caught out and don't even know it.

I know someone who went to an interview evening at one of the world's largest banks - the bank was hiring a number of Project Managers so set up an evening of interviews 6pm-9pm for all the selected candidates and the interviewers rotated within their candidate groups. The interviewers then all got together from 9pm to discuss who they'd interviewed and came to a joint decision on which candidates would be offered a job. A long tiring evening for everyone involved but actually quite efficient as it meant a candidate only came in once (and didn't need to take time off from their current job) and they got an offer or rejection within 24 hours.

During the post-interview discussions, I found out that one of the candidates was someone I'd worked with at another bank a few years previously. (They weren't in my grouping of candidates so it was the first time I heard that they'd applied). He was okay guy. Not the best but not someone I would object to if the interview feedback was positive. The feedback included some examples of work he'd done on a project he'd managed. Except he hadn't project managed it. I HAD!! He was a systems analyst on it but had obviously decided to "exaggerate" his role. That was the end of his application. His lack of integrity cost him the job offer. If he'd been honest about his actual experience, he probably would have got an offer. Foolish man.

This is just one story I have of candidates lying during the recruitment process. I have plenty of others. Usually men. The majority never even realise that their lies have been found out. I have worked for many years in Financial Services within project / programme management / consultancy and I know a lot of people at a lot of financial institutions and a lot of projects. And we talk a lot. Be careful if you exaggerate on your c.v. or during your interview as you may have the misfortune to have someone like me as your interviewer. Of course we're always professional. We smile and we charm you and we give you just enough rope to hang yourself. And you go home thinking what a great interview it was and then later never understand why you didn't make it through to the next stage.

Honesty is always the best policy.

Ignore the PP. Well done! I hope you get the job.

What's done is done.
Don't stress and go in and do it with conviction!
Good luck OP

Did you get it?

Yes I did! I'm really happy with how I discussed my work experience in the interview and they said I will be a great addition to the team. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and reassurance here!

Well done!

hurrah!

Well done!

Women need to big themselves up in interviews as you can count on men doing it to the extreme.

which is why 20cm is really 7,5cm
and 1.9m is really 1.7m
for men