When it comes to job interviews, the concept of “selling yourself” is often emphasized. Most career experts agree that top candidates are the ones who know how to tell stories that highlight their experiences in a way that proves they can excel in the given role.

At some point, you may have even wondered: Can I exaggerate the truth during a job interview? Is it okay to reframe my past responsibilities to impress a recruiter?

While it may be tempting to present yourself with a few exaggerations here and there, it’s important to consider the consequences and risks in doing so. In my work as a career coach and educator, I never encourage my clients or students to lie during the application process. That said, persuasive storytelling is a skill and there is a fine line between crafting a great answer and being dishonest.

If you’re struggling to tread that line, know this: There is a way to weave through tough questions without compromising your own ethics. Let’s deep dive into common interview questions and how you can answer them in a way that will set you up for success.

What’s your current salary?

Yes, we’re starting off with one of the most tricky questions you’ll get in a job interview, and it has to do with everyone’s favorite topic: money.

When someone poses this question, you may be tempted to exaggerate your current income to encourage the hiring manager to make you a better offer. A safer approach is to first turn the question back on them. You can do this by emphasizing your interest in the position and your willingness to negotiate after you’ve both decided that it’s a good fit.

For example, you could say:

While salary is an important consideration for me, my main focus is on finding the right opportunity to contribute my skills and grow professionally. I’d love to learn more about the role and responsibilities and see if it’s a good fit before we move on to discuss salary. It would also be helpful if you could share the budget on your end to see if we align.

If the hiring manager won’t budge, another approach is to provide a salary range that takes into account your research. Say for example, you’re making $75,000 annually, but the market value of the position you’re applying to is closer to $85,000. You could say:

Based on my research and experience, I’m currently interviewing with other companies for roles in the range of $85,000 to $95,000. Does that align with your budget for this opportunity?

In both cases, you’re not lying by throwing out a fake number. Instead, you’re approaching the question with flexibility and professionalism, and letting the recruiter know that you’re trying to work with them.

Why did you leave your last role?

This can be an especially challenging question if you were laid off or fired. Your instinct is probably telling you to hide the fact that you were let go. In these sensitive situations, I encourage you to be honest but focus on the positives, like how you’re planning to move forward and why you’re excited about this new opportunity.

Keep in mind that most people will be understanding — more than 200,000 people were let go since the start of 2023. If you lie about it, however, any recruiter would perceive that as a red flag.

Here’s an example of what you can say.

While I enjoyed my three years at [organization], towards the end of my tenure, my company announced they were going through some fundamental organizational changes. My role, along with everyone else’s on the marketing team, was terminated.

With that said, I view it as a blessing in disguise, as it did feel like I was hitting a ceiling for my own development. That’s why I’m excited to pursue this opportunity and continue to grow as a marketing manager.

Similarly, if you left due to negative circumstances — focus on the positive: what you learned, why the past role wasn’t aligned with your goals, and why this current position is. Talking negatively about a past employer won’t make the best first impression. The hiring manager may worry you’ll do the same to them.

Here’s my recommendation for this scenario:

My position was terminated in July 2022 after nine months with the team. I learned a lot in my short time there, but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t the right fit for either side. I think they were looking for someone with more specialized experience in paid media, while my expertise was more focused on SEO and content.

I also learned that I’m a better fit with roles that involve a bigger team, and that’s one of the reasons this opportunity caught my eye. I’m excited to pursue roles that bring out the best in my digital marketing experience and looking forward to learning more about this opportunity.

In addition, don’t forget to highlight all the big achievements you made during your tenure. Tone and delivery are important here. Emphasize your commitment to moving forward and contributing to your new company.

How was your experience with your previous manager?

Just like you shouldn’t talk negatively about your previous employer, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is talking poorly about your last manager. Even if your manager was Miranda Priestly from The Devil’s Wear Prada, you should focus on the positives during the job interview stage. How you answer this question will determine whether the next hiring manager sees you as someone they can work with.

Remember: The hiring manager doesn’t have context into your last role, and if you talk badly about your previous boss, the situation could very easily be misinterpreted — painting you in a negative light.

Here’s an example of how you can paint the story:

I’ve had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of managers throughout my career, each bringing their unique leadership style. In my previous role, I worked with a manager who had a “no-excuses” mindset and learned a ton from her, particularly in terms of project management and campaign execution.

While there were times we disagreed, I loved how she challenged the team and expected a lot out of us. I’m excited to take what I learned from her and help my own team be more resilient and adaptive in the future.

Now, what if they ask you about a specific bad experience with a previous manager? Let me share with you a structure you can follow:

Paint the picture:

• Choose a situation that taught you something.
• Set up the story by describing the context.

During my previous role, I encountered a challenging situation with my manager when we had differing opinions on a project’s direction. It was a high-pressure moment and we both wanted it to be successful, but our communication became strained in the process.

Go into the details:

• Highlight your response to the situation.
• Stick to the facts (not the feelings).
• Keep it professional.

I took initiative and scheduled a one-on-one meeting with my manager. We used the time to discuss our perspectives openly and find common ground.

Wrap Up

• Explain what you learned from the experience.

It really taught me about the importance of having open communication, and taking the time to pause and align with my boss when things feel off track.

What’s your experience with [skill] or [program]?

What if you don’t have the exact skills the hiring manager is looking for? What if you haven’t worked with a program that they use every day? Should you lie and say you have the relevant experience?

Some people may tell you to “fake it until you make it,” but I’ve seen better results from candidates taking a different approach. In this case, I recommend acknowledging your willingness to learn and grow in the area they’re highlighting. Then shift the conversation to other skills that you have and that you know would make an impact. Do so with confidence and a growth mindset.

For instance, let’s say you’re a digital marketer applying to a more senior role, and the recruiter asks if you’re familiar with a specific program called Notion. Here’s what you can say if you’re not:

As a digital marketer experienced in SEO, content, and social media, I’ve worked with lots of different project management tools in the past including Asana, Monday, and Slack. While I haven’t specifically worked with Notion, I’m confident I can ramp up quickly, and I’m excited to get more hands-on use with it soon.

Most hiring managers will value someone who’s willing to learn and who has a great attitude over a know-it-all who with a less-great attitude.

. . .

Companies know that it’s impossible to find candidates who 100% match the job description. Instead of stretching the truth, my biggest advice is to share your best wins and focus on the stories that you want to share.

It’s true, these are tough job interview questions. But with preparation and a confident deliver, you’ll show them why you are the right person for the role after all.