Should we lie about our ability when we apply for a job?

 In many cases, we present ourselves in a way that is not exactly what we are in real life. For example, when we apply for a new job, we can present ourselves as much more severe or able than we are. In online dating, when the profiles tend to overestimate height or income (usually man). This form of saying that we can’t understand whether it is true is called “cheap talk.”

"Cheap talk" typically refers to communication that does not involve any tangible commitment or cost. In other words, “cheap talk” is something someone can say where, if it’s true or not true, there’s no obvious way to tell them apart, and he has no cost in saying that.  

Here are some real-life examples of "cheap talk" across different contexts:

1. Political Campaign Promises:
• During election campaigns, politicians often promise voters about policy changes or improvements in public services. However, not all promises are fulfilled after the election, leading to accusations of "cheap talk" when politicians fail to follow through on their commitments.
  
  
  
2. Corporate Communication:
• Companies sometimes publicly state their commitment to sustainability, diversity, or social responsibility. However, if these statements are not backed by concrete actions or changes in business practices, they can be seen as examples of cheap talk designed more for public relations than genuine change.
3. Diplomatic Negotiations:
• In international diplomacy, countries may issue statements or promises during negotiations that are vague or lack enforceable commitments. These statements can be seen as cheap talk if they do not lead to concrete agreements or actions.
4. Advertising and Marketing:
• Advertisements often make claims about product benefits or performance that may be exaggerated or not entirely true. Consumers may perceive these claims as cheap talk if they do not align with their actual experiences with the product.
5. Personal Relationships:
• In personal relationships, individuals may make promises or assurances to others that they do not intend to keep or cannot fulfill. For example, promising to help a friend move but then not showing up or saying, "Let's stay in touch," without making any effort to maintain the relationship.
6. Customer Service Interactions:
• Customer service representatives sometimes make promises to resolve issues or complaints quickly, but if these promises are not fulfilled or are merely placating, they can be perceived as cheap talk rather than genuine efforts to resolve customer concerns.

 In game theory, cheap talk refers to communication between players. One of the players sends a “signal” to others that berries at no cost to the sending player. The receiving player has to understand the credibility of the signal. It contrasts with "costly signaling," where actions or communication carry real costs or consequences, thereby making the information more credible. Green and Stokey 1980 and  Crawford and Sobel 1982 were the first to apply the game theoretical approach and introduced a simple model that was considered a form of cheap talk messages that can convey private information. Since then, much research has been conducted in this area of game theory or in precise forms of signaling games.

Recognizing cheap talk can be challenging, as it often involves communication that appears meaningful or promising but lacks substance or genuine commitment. There is a very famous example: when we athletes are asked if they are talking steroids, the answer will always be no. So, from the answer, it is hard to understand if the athlete is using steroids or not. Here are some indicators to help identify when communication may be cheap talk:

1. Lack of Specificity: Cheap talk often involves vague statements that are not backed by clear details or plans. For example, someone might say, "We should do something about that," without specifying what "something" entails or how it will be done.
2. No Clear Commitment: When someone makes promises or assurances without indicating a clear timeline, action plan, or steps to fulfill those promises, it could be cheap talk. For instance, saying, "I'll definitely help you with that," without discussing when or how assistance will be provided.
3. Unrealistic Claims: Communication that makes exaggerated or unrealistic claims without evidence or a plausible explanation can be a sign of cheap talk. This often happens in advertising or political speeches where promises are made without practical means of implementation.
4. Inconsistency Over Time: If someone frequently changes their stance, promises, or commitments without valid reasons or explanations, it may indicate that their communication lacks sincerity or genuine intent, resembling cheap talk.
5. Lack of Follow-Through: When communication is not followed by action or tangible results, it suggests that the talk was cheap. For example, if a company repeatedly promises improvements in customer service but continues to deliver poor service without making actual changes.
6. Contextual Incongruence: Pay attention to whether the communication aligns with the person's actions or the organization's practices. If there is a disconnect between what is said and what actually happens, it could indicate cheap talk.
7. Pattern of Empty Promises: If someone or an organization has a history of making promises or assurances that consistently go unfulfilled or are forgotten once the immediate context passes, it suggests a pattern of cheap talk rather than genuine commitment.
8. Intentions vs. Actions: Consider whether the communicator's actions match their stated intentions. Cheap talk often involves statements meant to placate or appease without any real intention or capability to follow through.

By being mindful of these indicators, individuals can become more adept at recognizing when communication is merely cheap talk and may adjust their expectations or responses accordingly.

One thing that is promising regarding cheap talk is that you can’t “cheat” too big. Namely, if someone is in an online dating case and someone lies about his height, it will be revealed on face-to-face dating. If someone lied about their ability when they were applying for work, it could also be revealed at some early stage. Then, returning to the title of this post. Should we lie about our ability when we apply for a job? The answer is we shouldn’t do so. But if we really, really want to lie, we can lie a little bit.

The pictures in this post were taken from Unsplash.

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