How Lying In an Interview Can Severely Backfire

By Sandy Diaz

Lying during a media interview is always a mistake. Especially with today’s technology, every recorded word or printed story lasts forever.

Authors can be backed into a corner and feel pressured to embellish credentials, claims or first hand experiences. Nothing will kill your credibility (and the story) more quickly than a lie.

Often, the job of the on air host or reporter is to ignite a controversial, entertaining segment or article with never-before-reported information. They may take one small part of your ideas, and try to make this the central theme—taking you away from your area of expertise or comfort zone.

Here are some tips if you are feeling attacked or are asked questions you do not know the answers:

• During an interview, relax. Not only mentally, but physically. Sit back, hands unclenched (yes this works for radio too). If you sit forward, you will look anxious and tense.
• If you are asked a confusing, vague or opened ended question (often a tactic with reporters), before you answer, ask for clarification. Do not answer if the question is not clear.
• If you are asked something specific about you or your background, do not lie about credentials or work experience. Redirect the interview back to a topic about which you are confident.
• For telephone interviews, write your own fact sheet about your bio. Prepare answers for common questions such as “why did you write the book?” “what inspired you?” “what makes you qualified to write about this topic?” or “what interested you most when doing your research?” Remember to speak in sound bites.
• How old are you? Again, don’t lie. If you would rather not share this information, have a prepared line. Be creative if you’d like: “29 and holding fast,” “old enough to remember eight track tapes were cutting edge technology” or simply “mid 50s.”
• If you book or topic is highly controversial, strongly consider a good media trainer. He or she can guide you to handling tricky media situations.
  

Bottom line: Lying will only hurt your image and credibility. If you are being interviewed, chances are the media have done their homework about you and your background and there is no need to stretch the truth. Relax and enjoy the attention!