Career Advice Talk

The Importance of being YOU

12th February, 2008 - Posted by Robin Ogden -

Who are you?  That’s really what’s behind the question ’so, tell me about yourself’ that is often asked during interviews.  I want to know what you’ll be like to work with during the good and the bad, I want to be able to depend upon you, to think I can somewhat predict how you’ll respond to situations. 

So why is it that during an interview we are most likely to NOT be ourselves?  I guess it is a little like dating.  Everyone on their best behavior for the first few months.  Then whammo, the real you just MUST get out.  Somehow the match made in heaven goes south.

I have a client who came to me for interview coaching.  Her last two ‘jobs’ had been disasters.  Lasted less than six months and less than 9 months.  Turns out her interview style was extremely serious, professional, measured, very low key.  She came across as EXTREMELY competent.  And was hired by these last two organizations for her competency and her PERSONALITY FIT with the organization.  Serious, low key, measured……  But she was so very very different in her normal operating style!  She is EXTREMELY competent.  But she has a great sense of humor, loves to joke around, is light hearted in her dealings with employees.  Imagine the shock felt by these dour organizations that thought they were hiring this serious professional. 

She made the mistake of being what she thought they would WANT to see, vs. being who she is, and seeing if there is a great match.  And the funny thing is, if you ask her what one of her greatest attributes is, she would NEVER say her sense of humor.  Yet that is what others see (and some LOVE) in her working style.

 Moral of this story.  Make sure you know who you are, show it to the world, and be true to yourself.  The end.

Posted by chris fogarty

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