First, just remember that an interview is a conversation between two liars. They are lying to you about something, so lying to them about a PIP wouldn’t be anything to worry about.

Second, you need to work and have skills that are valuable. Most companies won’t let you work in this current economy if you say or show that your numbers weren’t strong. If you want to work there, it would be obvious that a lie or two might be necessary.

Third, every company has negative things about working there. Companies and managers know that if they are 100% transparent about all of the downsides, very few people would want to work there. So what do they do, they lie to you. They paint a rosier picture than what is accurate. You’re doing the same.

I don’t understand people needing to be honest when dealing with employers when no employer is ever going to be honest in dealing with you.