Why Lying In A Job Interview Doesn’t Work – Citadel Search

#CitadelBytes: Think you can lie through your teeth in an interview?

 

Lying is a common behaviour, in fact 96 percent of people admit to lying at least sometimes. While that is the case, #CitadelSearchSays to never lie during interviews.

An extract of our interview with a candidate explains why:

– Candidate: ‘How do you know I am not speaking the truth?’

– Citadel Search: ‘You could lie to me, but an experienced recruiter will know they are lies.’

Why You Should Not Be Lying In A Job Interview

Lying to a recruiter in an interview exposes your weakness immediately. You would have tainted, or even ruined your chances to obtain the job. The consequences are far-reaching as both the recruiter and client are likely to blacklist you for your dishonesty.

If you are ever considering to paint a false picture of yourself, keep in mind that even if you manage to pull through that lie, you will struggle with new job expectations.

Integrity is everything. Do yourself a favour by telling the truth.

Have you encountered challenges answering certain difficult questions? Refrain from lying as you will need to create another lie to cover up the previous one. Seek professional guidance with Citadel Search to ace your interview with confidence today!  

Scroll to top

Sim Jie Yi

Feb 2025 – Aug 2025

Pursuing a Business Administration degree at National University of Singapore (NUS) 

My 6-month internship with Citadel Search has been a highly rewarding and formative experience. Under the supportive mentorship of Cindy, I was entrusted with responsibilities in both recruitment and digital marketing, contributing to projects across a range of industries, including pharmaceutical, finance, and engineering, and was involved in a successful role closure during my time.

On the digital marketing end, I shaped the firm’s social media strategy. This involved crafting LinkedIn content that delivered value to both employers and candidates, while also drawing on my creativity in posts to diversify the firm’s online presence.

In recruitment, the experience gave me a strong foundation for understanding the employer’s perspective, from recognising what makes a CV stand out to understanding how employers assess candidates during interviews. Sourcing candidates sharpened my problem-solving mindset and systematic approach, as I created comprehensive research maps and leveraged existing databases to enhance our sourcing speed, stamina and strategy. Furthermore, conducting candidate qualification interviews honed my interpersonal skills and deepened my understanding of how competency-based questions can be used to assess candidates.

In addition to strengthening my technical skills, this internship allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the firm through innovation. It has fostered a problem-solving mindset in me, encouraging me to go beyond simply completing tasks by actively seeking more efficient and sustainable approaches.

Citadel Search offers internships for Pre-University and University students that balance personal mentorship, hands-on learning and the autonomy to grow. The team is inspiring and supportive, and have equipped me with invaluable life skills that I will cherish for years to come. You are sure to learn a lot in your time here!

Zhu Bo Lin

March 2025 – June 2025

Pursuing Robotics at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore

Interning at Citadel Search has been an incredibly fulfilling and eye-opening experience. As someone with a strong interest in programming and problem-solving, I gained industry exposure and tackled real datasets to optimize workflows, applying both technical and analytical skills to practical use. 

Beyond picking up new programming languages, I learned best practices in software development, documentation, and workflow automation. Being entrusted with projects helped me grow more adaptable and resourceful and boosted my confidence as a developer.

Working in an agile team gave me a unique level of freedom and ownership over my work. I really appreciate how I could contribute directly and see the results of my efforts. This hands-on environment accelerated my learning and made each project feel very meaningful.

I am extremely thankful to Cindy and Raymond for providing this opportunity and creating a safe and supportive environment for me to experiment, ask questions and voice my opinions. As an intern, I felt valued and supported under their care.

Thinking back to the simulation test during my interview, I’m proud of how far I’ve come since my first day, especially in the way I think analytically and tackle problems with a clearer approach. The skills and experience I gained here have given me a solid foundation as I take my next steps into robotics. For anyone looking to learn, contribute, and be part of a supportive team, Citadel Search is the place to be!