CLICHÉ AS IT MAY BE, IT IS HONESTY
BY DARRYL SIMMONS
Would you call yourself a liar? Probably not, right? Even though you’ve no doubt told a lie or ten in your lifetime.
One of the folks you’ve most likely lied to? Your boss. Don’t worry, I’m not about to call up the head honcho at your workplace. These lies are likely small ones, like exaggerating what step in the repair process you’re at; fibbing about bumping the quarter panel in the paint booth and knocking it to the ground, much to the dismay of your coworkers. Small, in the sense that you likely won’t see the harshest of repercussions—but large enough to waver your reputation with the crew…and weigh on your conscience, if that’s your thing.
Or perhaps you’re perfect and have never lied in your life.
I’m not the authority on lying nor ethics. I’m not going to peer behind these pages and judge your choices—those are entirely your own to evaluate. What I am going to advise you, though, is to never lie in this particular situation: job interviews.
It may be tempting to exaggerate your skills in the face of a lucrative job opportunity. Sure—you helped your buddy with the pinstriping on their latest build. You held the flashlight—because for some reason they’d decided to do the job under the darkness of night—and let out a sharp sheesh with every crisp line. The lines came out great, but you never wielded the brush.
In that situation, what do you do when your potential future boss asks, “Have you ever done pinstriping?” It may seem like a simple answer; for most, they’d simply say no, or explain the story behind their friend’s build. Certain people, however, will flounder under pressure and end up walking out of the interview with a whole new portfolio of made-up skills under their belts.
What happens when the buck finally drops and you actually have to use these skills? Let me tell you, the outcome is never good. I’ve witnessed it times over, in both autobody and publishing.
Now, I’m not suggesting I believe any of our readers are the type to lose grip on reality mid-interview, but things happen. Nerves can get the best of you. The bright lights of a pristine paint booth can make the brain think crazy things. When you’re facing your dream workplace, you might just do anything for a chance to work within those walls.
A word to the wise—hold honesty to the highest standard. Feel free to brag on your skills—but only those you actually have. When hiring, especially when hiring apprentices, many shopowners are more concerned with bringing an eager-to-learn individual on board, as opposed to one with a suitcase of skills they’ve claimed to master.
A knowledgeable employee is great—but in our industry, there’s something new to be learned every day.
