Why Honesty Is the Best (Interview) Policy

What separates you from other candidates interviewing for the same position? Sometimes it’s your story.

But how much of it do you really need to tell?

People conducting a job search often feel like they have to mold themselves into someone they’re not in order to stand out during an interview. They try to read the interviewer’s mind so they can respond with what they think are all the “right” answers. That strategy usually backfires. No job seeker is a mind reader. 

Unless you bring your authentic self to an interview, how will your interviewer really know if you’re a good fit for the job?

Honesty, authenticity and vulnerability all have the potential to serve you well, especially in discussing “tricky” situations.

Why Honesty Is the Best (Interview) Policy

A recruiter recently shared a story about a conversation with a woman she had contacted about a national sales director position. The candidate had all the required credentials and seemed like a perfect match.

But at the outset of the call, the woman said, “Just to be upfront, I want to tell you I’m eight months pregnant. Still want to interview me?”

The recruiter’s response: “Now I want to interview you even more!”  

Legalities aside, the candidate’s honesty and transparency made her a more attractive candidate. The recruiter knew that her straightforward approach was exactly what the company was looking for in a new sales director.

From celebrated occasions (like a birth or adoption of a baby) to challenging circumstances (such as caring for an elderly parent in fragile health), it’s impossible for most people to put the brakes on life while they’re looking for a job.  

Being upfront about them when you’re interviewing eliminates uncomfortable, awkward surprises later in the game, including after you’ve been hired.

Transparency also saves time, money and effort during the interview process when it comes to pieces of your work history you’d rather sweep under the rug. But here’s where discernment and finesse enter the picture.

Fired from a job? You may as well be truthful about it. It’s part of your employment history. And it’s on record. Tell the interviewer what you learned from the experience, but don’t dwell on it. Quickly move on to topics relevant to the job at hand, focusing on why you’re a strong candidate for this position.

Recruiters and hiring managers appreciate stories that demonstrate your willingness to take ownership of a challenging situation. Everyone messes up. How did you course correct to keep the work process intact and deliver a positive outcome? What matters to future employers is how well you manage yourself and your responsibility to others in these types of circumstances.

Related: Are You More Resilient Than You Think?

What if you quit a job because you worked for a company with a toxic culture or a boss that made your life miserable? Tread carefully. Finger-pointing and complaining can make the interviewer not only question your ability to get along with others, but also your degree of professionalism, since speaking badly about colleagues, bosses, and companies usually is considered bad form. After all, if they do hire you, at some point down the road, might you be publicly badmouthing them, too?

Rather than criticize a former employer, be honest about what you’re drawn toward in this new opportunity, and how your strengths and experience will add value. Focus on what you want to do next, what’s ahead for you — not what you’re moving away from.

Honesty, Authenticity and Vulnerability Build Trust

Few things make a person feel more vulnerable than falling backward, waiting for someone else to catch them, which is why it’s one of the oldest trust-building exercises in the books.

“Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.” - Brené Brown

While you certainly want to maintain a level of professionalism in an interview — and in your early days on the job — allowing yourself to be just a little bit vulnerable (while also being noticeably enthusiastic) helps foster human connection. It creates trust, a foundational building block in forging new relationships.

Sharing personal stories, whether about being “directionally challenged” (pre-GPS) or trouble with your rebellious teen, involves trust and a level of comfort/acceptance within yourself. Know where you’re willing to draw the line. Respecting boundaries — yours and others’ — will help you navigate these meaningful conversations with greater ease and confidence.

Being honest, authentic and maybe a little vulnerable during an interview takes courage. Handled well, it can be the reason you stand out as the best candidate for the job. As good as your qualifications may look on paper, companies don’t hire qualifications. They hire people. People they can envision on their team. People they want on their team. And most importantly, people they can trust.

Every interview counts.

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