Is it ever OK to lie on an appliction form?

[Spidermama]

Most people seem to think everyone lies and I don't want to get overlooked for a job if everyone else is lying.

I'd rather be 38 than 41, but the Equal Ops' part of the form is asking me directly my name and DOB. Does anyone lie about these?

I personally wouldn't, so no.

It's interesting that there's a 'prefer not to say' box when it comes to religeon but none for age.

Chonkyh I agree on the whole and I don't tend to lie. In fact I'm very honest normally BUT I worry that it won't do me any favours when trying to get a new job., Especially since everyone seems to say that everyone lies when it comes to job applications.

not about name, dob, qualifications

but I do stretch the truth when it comes to things like 'I have always been interested in working in a retail environment' or 'I enjoy interacting with customers and solving their problems'

why would you bother over 3 years?

I mean if you are faking a degree it is worth it

but 3 years is neither here nor there

I don't think it's ever ok, no.

Particularly with DOB, there's no way you'd get away with that one - it's on so many different pieces of documentation that might come your employer's way.

Can't see 3 years is worth lying about anyway - do you genuinely think you'll get an interview being 38 but not being 41?

I think when people say 'everyone' lies, it's more likely to be about their skills and experience, stuff that might actually help them get an interview.

Pointless though I think - if you lie about stuff like that, you are not likely to perform well in interview when asked about your experience.

Or I suppose people might lie about grades in exams or qualifications and take a calculated risk that no one will check.

The problem with lying about something that they can easily ask to check up on, is that if you are discovered, they might wonder what else you are covering up.

What Miaou said. Would immediately undermine your credibility completely and put people right off.

Personally I think lying is a big no no. If you lie about something on your cv or in the interview then what else would you lie about, or could you be trusted on?

Interesting as it came up on the apprentice and I couldn't make up my mind with the limited info we had from programme whether he felt bad because he had been found out or whether he was just naive.

I have also only come across someone lying about their age once and we found out as the individual exited the organisation. The worry was any inplications for their pension etc. When I found out it just reinforced the situation - it was the individal that had a big hang up about age not people in the organisation.

It says more about what you find challenging potentially.

Who is it that is asking for the age? Agency or Direct Employer? The REC (recruitment industry professional body) have issued guidelines stating that to prevent age discrimination, there should not be a request for age related information from any applicant until that applicant is hired. Most agencies have taken the box off.

Now, realistically, if you go back through your employment history and add up the years, it may actually be quite easy to spot the "lie".

I wouldn't bother about this, as most recruiters, whether inhouse or agency, are savvy enough to work it out. I made a mistake on my dates once on an app form and although got the interview, it was definately something that was highlighted to me by the interviewer. Made me feel a
bit daft.

So if you have an interviewer who says, mmmm looking at your dates, I was a bit confused, it seems that you left school at 13??...... how would you feel?

Hmmm ... spidermama, I have a third option for you, other than 'lie' or 'tell the truth'.

Make a mistake.

Put your month and day of birth, but 2008 as the year. It looks like a mistake. There's no way anybody could think it was an attempt to deceive. But you aren't telling the truth.

Yes, I know someone who's done this a lot, as they were nervous about their age (too young), and it worked fine.

It is if you listen to SurAlan Sugar apparently!

Seriously though, I would say not ok.

I wouldn't.

I had a job interview recently and had to take proof of ID which they checked.

Lie about DOB? No, not worth it. Don't do it.
I lied once at interview. Said I was a manager, when I was really only assistant manager. But I had managed many many times, for years, so could 'cover' what I was saying.

If it is on the Equal Ops part of the application this should be removed by HR and not seen by those shortlisting or interviewing, so absolutely no point in lying. Also why should an employer care if you are 38 or 41 - what difference would three years make?

Don't lie. If employers find out you've lied about something like a date of birth they may assume you're trying to conceal something really bad about your past, criminal record, etc.

Spidermama are you still following this thread? I would be genuinely interested to know why you feel being 38 rather than 41 would make enough of a difference to consider lying

I wouldn't lie. If I employed someone and found out they lied on an application I would find it difficult to trust them again. Not worth it. People lie about being 'enthusiastic, self motivated and a good team player' - and to an extent that might be expected, few people are going to employ someone who says 'I'm a miserable bugger who clock watches and bitches about my colleagues!' But lies about facts that can easily be checked aren't worth it.

i am against lying on application forms. I don't think the main issue is whether you will get caught or not - it's a moral one. it seems unfair on a) the employer and b) other applications who are being honest.
having said that, i do see the temptation. i've been guilty of rounding my salary up slightly in job interviews, saying "around x thousand" instead of giving an exact figure - in the hope of a new employer giving a bit more. that's probably just as bad morally as lying on application form, so

I always lie about my hobbies (skiing, sailing and hill walking according to my CV!)

No one wants to read that your idea of fun is a decent night's sleep, and a bath with lavender bath salts...

The thing about lying about your age is, it could backfire.
Your prospective employer may see age as an advantage; or they'll want a 23 year old and you're buggered at 38 anyway.
Not worth lying. Too much to remember.

I wouldn't ever lie on an app form.

But...

I talked to my mum about this once (she's now in her 60s) and I think people do it more as they get older. In theory there are now age discrimination protections, but in practice I doubt they are yet challenging people's ageism.

You are mad to worry at your age - the big issue comes I think for people who are over 50. Sadly.

Where is the OP?