Job-Searching: How The “Professional You” Can Still Be The “Real You”

Often times we fall under the assumption that in order for people to admire us we need to reshape our whole personality, and many people have this mindset when it comes to job searching. Well I’m here to say that the one thing employers love more than robotic ear candy is an authentic, genuine individual who stays true to his/herself.

Rearrange Talking Points, Not Your Personality

You do not need to be CEO-level professional when walking into a job interview. Many people, including myself, take a look at themselves and question how they would fit in a professional business environment. You may not have that corporate or financial jargon down to a tee and you may not know how to effectively answer interview questions, but what you do know is how to talk about yourself.

“GAS YOURSELF UP.” Use anything and everything you have done school/career-wise to make yourself seem valuable. Instead of rearranging your personality, rearrange the way you talk about your past experiences that will capture your employer’s attention.

Instead of, “I worked as a waitress,” say, “While waitressing, my team and I worked to ensure proper communication between the kitchen and floor to deliver the best possible results to our customers.” Look at that! You just displayed communication abilities in a professional manner to your potential employer while STILL remaining true to yourself and your past experiences. 

What This Has Shown Me

From what I have found during my time at Penn State, being your true authentic self in any career-related situation will not only help employers see if you’re a proper fit for them, but will also help you see if they’re a proper fit for you.

Remaining true to who you are while developing your own personal professional side will allow you to discover where you fit in the world. It falls upon you to find out where you believe your personality, skills, and experiences will thrive before an employer makes that decision for you.

Want to learn more? Check out these articles for further information!

How To Stay True To Yourself During In Your Job Search

How To Maintain A Positive Attitude While Job Hunting