Here’s the worst kept secret in any industry: lying during your interview usually doesn’t have any consequences. It’s not illegal, unless you’re committing fraud, which has a pretty high bar (like falsifying official documents, or signing an affirmation that what you said is true).

The most likely consequence is that you’ll have lied about something you can do, and they’ll find out about it when you can’t do it.

Now, lying and stretching the truth are also not exactly the same thing.

Take this example:

“Why do you want to work here?”

The actual truth: “I want money and you pay well.”

The stretched truth: “I value your company’s commitment to being an industry leader in the field, and would like to be a part of a team with that kind of mission.”

The hiring committee will absolutely eat up the second statement. It’s not exactly the whole truth, but it’s not really a lie either.

Or here’s another one:

“Why did you leave your last position?”

The actual truth: “I was fired for hitting on a coworker.” (Please don’t do this.)

The stretched truth: “I decided to look for another position when it became clear the company’s opportunities weren’t something I could see advancing my career. I feel like this company can offer me opportunities that would much better align with my career goals.” (You know, having a job.)

Basically, you can stretch the truth to make yourself look good without flat out lying.

If it’s important to you to be honest, which it should be as that’s noble, then lying should be off the table. But your competition will probably be lying, so stretching the truth might be the best option.

Personally, I don’t lie during job interviews, but I won’t be completely honest, because I want to look my best.