Finding out if someone is truthful is an art, not a science. The best truth-detecting machine on the market, the polygraph, is illegal in the hiring process. Imagine if there were an invention that could detect the truth with 100% accuracy, as predicted by futurist James Halperin in The Truth Machine. However, today's managers face a double challenge: getting to the truth and determining their employee needs and "fit." People who are absolutely truthful can still be a wrong match for a given job.
If there ever were a truth machine, I would limit it to asking the interviewee these 10 questions:
- Is everything on your job application and in your résumé accurate?
- Is everything you stated in your interview accurate?
- Is there any significant information about your job history not disclosed in the hiring process that would concern a reasonable employer about your qualifications?
- Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
- Do you do drugs?
- Is there anything you're currently aware of that would prohibit you from working this job for at least three years?
- Do you consider yourself lucky? (If they say "no," do you really want them working for you?).
- Do you truly want to be a great employee?
- Did you meet the attendance requirement at your previous job?
- After a conditional job offer is made: Are you currently under any physical or medical limitations which would substantially limit you in meeting the physical and mental requirements of this job?
Now let's play this game in reverse, with the potential hire asking these questions:
- Is everything you've told me about the company in the hiring process accurate?
- Is there any reason that you currently know why if I perform well I might not be able to stay in this position for at least three years?
- Have you been honest with me about the opportunity for advancement?
- Is there anything about the company's financial condition that would cause a reasonable job applicant some concern?
- Do you care about your employees?
- Are you serious in stating that your company doesn't tolerate harassment or discrimination?
- Is this a fun place to work?
- Do you offer competitive wages, salaries, and benefits?
- Have you done a thorough job analysis to make sure that you're clear about the skills and abilities I need to succeed in this position?
- Is there any other significant information you haven't disclosed that might concern a reasonable job applicant?
In reality, both applicants and companies lie in the hiring process. The art of hiring lies in getting to the truth.