Can you be authentic and still sell yourself in your job search? Many candidates feel like they need to ‘perform’ to present an ideal version of themselves to a prospective employer.
Yet you also want to be authentic so that you don’t need to continue to perform once you’re settled in the role. It’s a tricky line to walk.
Let’s cut to the chase, authenticity is the goal. Presenting the ‘real you’ during the recruitment process not only builds trust and confidence but will ultimately lead to better job matches.
So where is the balance between being authentic and selling yourself?
What does ‘authentic’ mean in a job search?
Maybe we should start with what authentic ISN’T in a job search…
It doesn’t mean saying everything that jumps into your head. Your interviewer doesn’t need to know what you had for breakfast or who your high school crush was!
It also doesn’t mean treating an interview like a casual chat over coffee. Even if it takes place over coffee…
You should still be professional. There are societal and professional norms to observe during the recruitment process. Politeness and respect will go a long way.
Against that background, authenticity looks like this:
- Being honest about your strengths and any training gaps.
- Sharing your motivations, ambitions, and values.
- Communicating in a natural way.
In the context of a job search, being authentic means being the best version of yourself.
Why does authenticity matter in your job search?
In a world increasingly dominated by AI, being authentic is an advantage.
Employers might use AI to support them in various parts of their business, but they don’t want to hire robots. They want to hire a human. Be that human!
Allowing your personality to emerge will help you, and your prospective employer, assess your cultural fit. They will gain a better understanding of who you are as an employee. You will be able to better articulate how your professional values align with theirs.
Being authentic, especially at the interview stage, is also less stressful than pretending to be something you’re not. Being yourself is one less thing to worry about so can lessen any nerves you might be feeling.
Lastly, being yourself starts to build trust that will hopefully increase as you start your employment journey. Securing a job based on a false impression of who you are isn’t the best start to your working relationship…
Remember, the right employer isn’t looking for perfection. They are looking for a good fit with someone who can make an impact.
How to be authentic in interviews
Although the idea is to be authentic throughout your job search, one of the key times you show this is during an interview process.
So how do you stay true to yourself without oversharing or underselling yourself?
1. Be honest about your career journey
You can share how your career has progressed, including any relevant career breaks or changes in direction.
The key is to frame it in a positive light.
For example, don’t dwell on how long you were unemployed for. Instead explain the transferable skills and/or qualifications you gained during that time. Highlight the value in those breaks, rather than focusing on the reason for them or their duration.
2. Sound natural
That stiff ‘phone voice’ you use when you’re trying to sound totally together and serious? Ditch it!
You can be friendly and professional at the same time. The tone you are going for is how you would speak in the workplace when you’ve worked there for a month or so.
If you’re speaking like you would in a bar with friends after some drinks… you’ve gone too far!
3. Tell stories
Genuine stories will showcase your true talents more than rehearsed answers.
This doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for your interview, of course! You can plan the stories you might tell and how they showcase your relevant skills. You can even decide what you might say, but don’t rehearse a script.
Learning it word for word will make you sound stiff and unnatural and will lessen the impact of your words.
You can (and should!) use the STAR or CARL techniques to shape your answers but try to keep it conversational. Avoid sounding like you are ticking off each element.
4. Acknowledge your imperfections
Remember, self-awareness is an important quality in a candidate.
Take time to reflect on where you still have room to grow and share at an appropriate point in the discussion. Consider how these development needs might be met in this role and organisation.
The days of saying that your biggest fault is ‘being a perfectionist’ are long gone. Demonstrate self-awareness and acknowledge any areas for improvement.
5. Show off your personality
During the interview, allow yourself to be friendly and warm. Let your enthusiasm for the role, or industry, shine through as you are talking. This won’t go unnoticed.
Remember those non-verbal signs too. Use regular eye contact and open body language to show that you are relaxed and open to discussion. If you don’t feel that relaxed, fake it until you make it!
Being authentic throughout your job search
Authenticity doesn’t start and finish with the interview. There are also ways to keep your authenticity at other stages of the job search too.
- CVs: Reflect your true strengths and career trajectory, acknowledging any gaps.
- LinkedIn: Use your natural voice, especially in your ‘About’ section. Share your career journey so far.
- Networking: Build natural relationships and be genuinely curious about others.
Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine.
Putting it into action
Doesn’t it feel kind of a relief? That you don’t need to pretend to be someone you’re not during your job search…
Of course, there is a balance to be struck between sharing too little and sharing too much. Finding the right job, with the right people, is not easy, but being authentic in your job search is a good start.
You want to be yourself, but make sure it’s the best version of yourself.
If you’re not sure how to get started, let’s talk it through.