Help Need some "advice" (based on a "white lie")

Steven123

Angel's Buddy
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Oh,how the title of my question makes me sound bad (shame on me lol)

Hello all,hope you are all doing well. 🙂

I recieved a job offer from Canada today for a job in a specialist construction warehouse, they pay for my flights,travel insurance,and my visa. Pay is up to (and above) $25 an hour.

Anyway...the main requirement is that you need to have ATLEAST 6 months on a propane powered Forklift. I have only done my training on a propane forklift,with the rest being on diesel and electric.

I may be able to get away with a lie (since all of this was at my old employer,and they don't retain records), but at the same time i don't really want to get so far down the line and get caught out haha.

Advice my fellow BB'ers?
 
Well, whats the worst thing that could happen if you did lie and they found out? (Not a rhetorical question, by the way 😛 ).
 
I'm not sure. I can imagine the worst thing would be that if,i got the job, and half way through they could find out i only did x amount, they were have grounds to end my contract since i would have lied upon application.
 
I'm not sure. I can imagine the worst thing would be that if,i got the job, and half way through they could find out i only did x amount, they were have grounds to end my contract since i would have lied upon application.

Well if the job were in the UK I would say just go for it. But since it's in Canada, you don't want to get sacked and then stuck there 😉

My advice doesn't count for much, since I've never been employed, but my advice would be (if you decide not to lie about) to get in touch with them and let them know that you have the training, rather than passing it up completely. They might be lenient.
 
Any chance you could get sued for it? Or would put anyone at risk by not having that experience?

I wouldn't risk it, since it says 6 months. If they find out and bad mouth you online, you could pay for it for the rest of your life.
 
ashleigh
ashleigh
[No message]
That's not really what I would consider a white lie. Be honest, tell them you did training on propane but are more familiar with the others. Hopefully they'll be understanding about the situation but if you lie and it turns out that they won't be understanding, it could land you in a bad spot.
 
Jeez, tough call. I suppose the real answer lies on how strong your desire to come to Canada is. Funny that this question was posted now. In a few weeks, I'm moving from Canada (Vancouver) to Santa Barbara, California and then on to Phoenix, Arizona a few months later. I'm going for school, but I've been thinking about working while I'm down there, and that I might have to be somewhat less than truthful about my birthplace.

If you don't mind me asking, whereabouts in Canada are you planning on going to?

If this is something you're heart set on (coming to Canada), then I'd say go for it. No matter how much you plan ahead or what precautions you take, there is always going to be that chance that someone will figure out that you're resume isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'm not saying it's likely, because it probably isn't, but that possibility is always going to exist, you know? I think that's just something you're going to have to be aware of.

But if you're confident that you can do the job well, then by all means, go for it.
 
Personally, i have found that things (white lies and such) catch up with you: either literally or just conscience. If possible, I would let them know, but try to word in such a way that emphasizes your ability to work multiple types (IDK whether one is considered superior, though). I tend to be sort of excessively honest in general, though, which is not always of the good.
 
Before making a decision I would ask myself a few questions:

By not having the experience I claim to have, do I open up anyone else besides myself to any kind of liability?
Do I already have a job?
Does it pay well enough that you are not living hand to mouth?
If I am fired in Canada, what are the prspects of quick re-employment there or anywhere else?
Can I afford to get back from Canada at short notice if needs be?

Personally, I would accept the job but at the same time inform them that you may have been somewhat misleading in your application, but it was because you really wanted the job. Then let the chips fall where they may.

The world economy and employment market being what they are, you almost certainly weren't the only person in the running for the position and they will be able to find an alternate if they decide no to go with you. On the other hand, they may actually like that you werre so enthusiastic about the position that you overstated your experience in one particular area. It may be, that depending on what other duties the role entails a little bit of self-promotion and risk taking isn't the worst thing in the world.

Good luck, whatever you decide 🙂
 
hmm that's a toughy. my sister told a tiny white lie to get a job once and she (luckily) was never caught out. its all based on chance really. i mean you could tell the white lie and never get caught out, but then you could also tell the lie AND get caught out, so it depends really if your willing to take that chance but the job being in canada the consequences could be different then here.

i would think VERY carefully if you decide to tell the white lie, since its in canada, you don't wanna get stuck there.
 
In regards to the training, how behind are you? Would you be clueless and need to be taught to do something totally new? Or do you already know how to do it but just haven't completed the 6 months of practice for said training?

If its something that really wouldn't affect your capabilities of doing the job well then I don't think it's that big of a deal.
 
As far as the operation of the equipment, there is no difference in the operation between diesel, gasoline, propane, or even electric forklifts. The only real difference is the fuel that runs them, and many gasoline and diesel units are even converted to operate on propane for reasons of convenience and economy. I've operated all four types, and while there ARE differences in forklifts (if you're an operator, you already know this) the propellant that operates them is almost inconsequential. Just be sure to keep the hose connections clean and tight, the tanks securely strapped in place, and keep in mind that the propane supply is NEVER left with the valve open when the unit is not in operation for more than a few minutes.

And smoking while operating one or changing out the propane tanks is a very, very bad idea.

And try to avoid anything like this:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRyuqjKSyDE&feature=related"]Forklift Epic Fail and Recovery - YouTube[/ame]

Good luck with the job, and I hope that you enjoy Canada.
 
Any chance you could get sued for it? Or would put anyone at risk by not having that experience?

I wouldn't risk it, since it says 6 months. If they find out and bad mouth you online, you could pay for it for the rest of your life.

Don't think i would get sued for it. Would cost them more to take it to court and all of that then what i was to actually employ me lol. It wouldn't put anyone at risk since the basic principal in driving Forklifts is the same for every type (of the same size anyway). The only difference is the fuel.

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:16 PM ----------

Jeez, tough call. I suppose the real answer lies on how strong your desire to come to Canada is. Funny that this question was posted now. In a few weeks, I'm moving from Canada (Vancouver) to Santa Barbara, California and then on to Phoenix, Arizona a few months later. I'm going for school, but I've been thinking about working while I'm down there, and that I might have to be somewhat less than truthful about my birthplace.

If you don't mind me asking, whereabouts in Canada are you planning on going to?

If this is something you're heart set on (coming to Canada), then I'd say go for it. No matter how much you plan ahead or what precautions you take, there is always going to be that chance that someone will figure out that you're resume isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'm not saying it's likely, because it probably isn't, but that possibility is always going to exist, you know? I think that's just something you're going to have to be aware of.

But if you're confident that you can do the job well, then by all means, go for it.

Don't mind at all! The locations i were giving are:

Edmonton, Alberta;

Calgary, Alberta;

Red Deer, Alberta; and

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan


I went over to Canada last year however i as refused as they didn't believe i was there for a genuine holiday,despite my friend who i was going to visit was there to pick me up etc. But if i get a work permit everything should be ok.

I'm not really sure what to though still. I have emailed them asking when the job actually starts. The closing date states January 2013. If so i could get the time in on the Propane ones.

---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:30 PM ----------
[MENTION=10582]brinkster130[/MENTION]

The training it's self was just a refresher course so i my licence would continue for a further 3 years, it just happened to be a on a propane powered forklift. Basic principle of driving them is the same,so i wouldn't have to be taught anything new.
 
I would be honest with them and let them know that you have the training (and are willing to have more, if they see fit), but not the experience of the kind they're asking for. You don't want to tell that "white lie" and risk hurting yourself, someone else, or damaging products because you aren't really familiar with what you're doing.
 
[MENTION=11615]Steven123[/MENTION] So what did you decide to do? Sounds to me like you already know the answer. 🙂 My advice is to go with your gut.

Is there a posibility it'll show that you don't have the required 6 months experience? I mean, will it really be harder for you to do the job with less training? If they already offered you the job, you've got your foot in the door. I say emphasis what skills you do have and how you'll be an asset to them, regardless.
 
[MENTION=8551]Summerlilly[/MENTION]

I decided to leave it for now, i have a friend in Canada who's company is starting to employ people from elsewhere in the world over the next 1-2 years, so it'll be easier to get in that way and i may be able to get a permanent work permit if i go ahead with it.

I think it would have been ok, only downside would have been if they wanted specific proof of my time on Propane forklifts, i would only have my training certificates. Life! lol

Thanks for all of the advice guys!
 
brinkster130
brinkster130
Hope it all works out! :)
S
Summerlilly
Well, I'm sure it will all work out for the best! :)
If you lie and are caught out, you have a firing for cause on your record, which will make it harder to be employed again unless you continue to lie. Once you start to lie, it becomes a pattern. I'd really be disinclined to lie. Human resources is my field, so hopefully this advice helps.

I'd tell the truth about your experience; and also offer to gain the needed experience, since there seems to be time. The honesty may earn you brownie points.
 
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