user445: Since lying is not really directed at a person, can it still be harmful? I have had multiple jobs before when the companies I worked for had no issues lying to me(on a organizational level) 
I can see how lying(when done successfully) can make myself believe I am something I am not and hence inflate my ego but what if this is not the case and the lying is only done with a sense of wanting to get a position and work hard and achieve something? 

user2478: Lying occurs when four elements are present.
a.  The speaker must not be mistaken about what he or she wants to say.
b.  The speaker must have the intention to deceive.
c.  The lie must be consciously pronounced.
d.  The hearer must be deceived.

Associated with lying are all attempts to twist the truth by deceptive means and the concealment of the facts in order to cheat people.
source: Treasury of Precious Qualities, commentary by Kangyur Rinpoche

user-1: I listened to a talk by Ajahn Punnadhammo some days ago.
In here he talks about why the Buddha had put a great emphasiz on right speech. 
Ajahn Punnadhammo says that by using the speech faculty we can directly input dhammas into other beings mind-stream. 
So by misusing the speech faculty (by lying for example) we can directly input delusion into other beings mind-stream. That is a heavy kammic thing to do since delusion is what binds us in Samsara.
When he said that i really understood the depth of the 4th precept.

user143: In addition to the excellent answers already given, it's important to also keep in mind the effect of one's actions on oneself. So even if the lie you told had no ill effect on the interviewer or company for which you were applying for a job; (say for example, they didn't hire you anyway), you still know you stated something untrue and that stays with you. We work to keep our sila good (by following the 5 precepts) because of the good it does for our own minds. 

user295: If you have intention to deceive, you know what you are going to say is false and then say it then it is lying. 
In a job interview you might be asked questions you are not very sure about. Making an intelligent guess in those instances in fine. Not attempting may look negative or as a lack of confidence. Also interviewer will not expect you to know everything but an attempt will be appreciated. Much like in an exam.
Lying about your experience may not be fine. Also spin doctering / white lies with a intention to deceive is not fine. Otherwise putting a positive spin is fine. Facing an interview is an art in itself which you can master without breaking your ethics and morality. 

user111: Causes of False Speech
The root causes of false speech are greed, hatred and delusion. 

Greed is the root cause when false speech is used to obtain 
material gain or status for oneself or someone dear to oneself. 
Hatred is the root cause when false speech is used to cause loss 
and bring harm and suffering to others.
Delusion is the root cause when it is used neither for one's gain 
nor to cause loss and harm to others, but for the sake of 
enjoyment such as lying for the sake of a joke, exaggeration to 
spice up a story, or flattery to please others, etc. 

Lying to get a job falls under the 1st category. So yes, it  does break the fourth precept.

445: <p>Since lying is not really directed at a person, can it still be harmful? I have had multiple jobs before when the companies I worked for had no issues lying to me(on a organizational level) </p>

<p>I can see how lying(when done successfully) can make myself believe I am something I am not and hence inflate my ego but what if this is not the case and the lying is only done with a sense of wanting to get a position and work hard and achieve something? </p>
 2478: <p>Lying occurs when four elements are present.</p>

<pre><code>a.  The speaker must not be mistaken about what he or she wants to say.
b.  The speaker must have the intention to deceive.
c.  The lie must be consciously pronounced.
d.  The hearer must be deceived.
</code></pre>

<p>Associated with lying are all attempts to twist the truth by deceptive means and the concealment of the facts in order to cheat people.</p>

<p>source: <strong>Treasury of Precious Qualities</strong>, commentary by Kangyur Rinpoche</p>
 -1: <p>I listened to a talk by Ajahn Punnadhammo some days ago.</p>

<p>In here he talks about why the Buddha had put a great emphasiz on <strong>right speech</strong>. </p>

<p>Ajahn Punnadhammo says that by using the speech faculty we can directly input dhammas into other beings mind-stream. </p>

<p>So by misusing the speech faculty (by lying for example) we can directly input delusion into other beings mind-stream. That is a heavy kammic thing to do since delusion is what binds us in Samsara.</p>

<p>When he said that i really understood the depth of the 4th precept.</p>
 143: <p>In addition to the excellent answers already given, it's important to also keep in mind the effect of one's actions on oneself. So even if the lie you told had no ill effect on the interviewer or company for which you were applying for a job; (say for example, they didn't hire you anyway), you still know you stated something untrue and that stays with you. We work to keep our sila good (by following the 5 precepts) because of the good it does for our own minds. </p>
 295: <p>If you have intention to deceive, you know what you are going to say is false and then say it then it is lying. </p>

<p>In a job interview you might be asked questions you are not very sure about. Making an intelligent guess in those instances in fine. Not attempting may look negative or as a lack of confidence. Also interviewer will not expect you to know everything but an attempt will be appreciated. Much like in an exam.</p>

<p>Lying about your experience may not be fine. Also spin doctering / white lies with a intention to deceive is not fine. Otherwise putting a positive spin is fine. Facing an interview is an art in itself which you can master without breaking your ethics and morality. </p>
 111: <h2>Causes of False Speech</h2>

<p>The root causes of false speech are greed, hatred and delusion. </p>

<ol>
<li>Greed is the root cause when false speech is used to obtain 
material gain or status for oneself or someone dear to oneself. </li>
<li>Hatred is the root cause when false speech is used to cause loss 
and bring harm and suffering to others.</li>
<li>Delusion is the root cause when it is used neither for one's gain 
nor to cause loss and harm to others, but for the sake of 
enjoyment such as lying for the sake of a joke, exaggeration to 
spice up a story, or flattery to please others, etc. </li>
</ol>

<p>Lying to get a job falls under the 1st category. So yes, it  does break the fourth precept.</p>
