I Lied About Having A Degree & Got Shortlisted For An Interview. What Do I Do?

It is not a guarantee that you will get a job after applying due to the uncertainty of the job market today. Therefor all you are left with is the hope that one day somewhere in between thousands of applications, someone will notice how qualified you are and consider you for an interview. But what happens when after looking for a job for so long, desperation finally creeps in and you have to lie to get ahead?

This is Robert’s Story

“It was my dream after graduating that I would get a job and finally repay my parents for their hard work of seeing me through school. Just like any other graduate, I was excited about going into the job market but looking back today, I wish that those two years in college had not passed.

After graduation, I packed my bags and moved to Nairobi since I knew that that was where opportunities were. I had a friend who agreed to host me as I looked for a job. Before I knew it, six months had already passed and I still had not landed a job. I had sent countless applications but never got a responses from the companies. One year down the line, I was considering going back to school. I was broke and had nothing to show for the efforts my parents had put to see me get an education.

It was at that time, while contemplating whether to go back home, that I saw an advert for a procurement assistant at an NGO requiring someone with a degree certificate. Frustrated and tired of being rejected, I decided to include a degree on my academic qualifications. I sent the applications and forgot about my lie.

As it turned out, it wouldn’t take long for my lies to catch up with me. Last week, I received a call from the said NGO inviting me for an interview next week on Thursday. The caller requested me to carry with me copies of my academic certificates.

I don’t know what to do. Should I attend the interview and make up a lie about not having my certificate or should I just not go? What if I attend and they buy my lie once more, give me a job only to discover later on that I am a fraud. I am in a dilemma. Help me. What should I do?”

What would you do if you were in Robert’s shoes? Would you attend the interview o=after tarmacking for that long without a job or do you just give up? Share your opinion below.

By Lilian Wamaitha