This blog has been updated in 2025 to reflect current trends.
With job markets more competitive than ever and candidate pools growing, it’s tempting to tweak the truth in a job interview to stand out. But here’s the reality: in a tight-knit industry like defence, honesty is still the best strategy.
Have You Been Let Go Before?
If you’ve been fired or left a role on less-than-ideal terms, you might feel tempted to hide it. But in a community-driven industry like defence, where networks are close and word travels fast, dishonesty is more likely to backfire.
The truth is that many dismissals aren’t due to performance. Team fit, communication styles, or even unfair internal politics might have played a role. If you're upfront with your recruiter, they can work with you to explain the situation to the client in a way that’s truthful and constructive. Clients are often open-minded, what matters most is how you handle the situation and what you’ve learned from it.
What About Your Salary?
This one’s a grey area, and there’s plenty of conflicting advice online. If you’re currently underpaid, it’s absolutely fair to ask for a salary jump but it’s critical to be transparent and realistic. Inflating your current salary might seem strategic, but it could price you out of a role or damage your credibility with recruiters and employers alike.
Instead, lean on market data like annual salary benchmarks or reports to back your expectations. A good recruiter can advocate for your value, but only if they have the full and accurate picture.
For defence industry-specific salary benchmarks, check out our defence industry insights here.
Do You Really Have That Skill?
Job ads often come with long wish lists of skills, and most people don’t meet every single one. There’s pressure to claim experience you don’t quite have, thinking you’ll learn it on the fly. But in defence, where many skills are highly technical, specialised, or regulated, this approach rarely works.
A better strategy? Be honest about where you’re still developing, and share examples of how you’ve upskilled quickly in the past. Clients value capability and adaptability just as much as experience. Being caught without a key skill after claiming to have it won’t just cost you the role, it could hurt your reputation.
What If You Didn’t Get Along With Your Boss?
If you had a challenging relationship with a previous manager, it’s important to stay diplomatic. Speaking poorly of a former boss can reflect poorly on you, even if you’re in the right. And in defence industry, there’s a high likelihood your old boss knows someone at your potential new employer.
It’s better to acknowledge the experience truthfully but professionally. Say something like, “There were differences in communication style” or “The culture wasn’t the right fit.” That signals maturity and self-awareness without casting blame.
Common Pitfalls That Annoy Recruiters
While job interviews can be nerve-wracking, there are a few fibs that tend to really frustrate recruiters:
Mis-stating your salary: It’s a quick way to lose trust.
Withholding planned leave: It’s unlikely to affect your chances, but if leave is sprung last minute, it can make a bad impression on your new employer.
Being cagey about other roles you’re applying for: Recruiters appreciate transparency, and it can actually work in your favour as employers often act more quickly when they know you’re in demand.
In Conclusion...
The defence industry is small, interconnected, and built on trust. A misstep in one interview can easily follow you into future opportunities. Recruiters can be your biggest advocates, but only if you give them honest, accurate information to work with.
The truth might feel risky, but being caught in a lie, especially in this industry, is much worse. Be strategic with how you present the truth, but don’t stray too far from it. After all, your credibility is one of your greatest career assets.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
