Getting a job is hard. There is the phone interview, the waiting period, the live interview, more waiting—and finally the offer, or the rejection letter. Why is it so difficult? Shouldn’t you be able to just walk into the room and clearly be the definitive choice for employers? If that were the case, recruiters would be out of work and there would be no competition for jobs in the world.
But when it comes down to it, you can be the top choice for a prospective employer. You only need one thing: integrity. It can be tempting to lead an employer to believe that you have all the qualities the company is looking for, especially when it has been months, or in some cases, years since you have had a full-time job. In fact, many people will do anything just to get the job. But what happens in most situations like this is that the employer finds out the truth sooner or later. Your true colors will shine through eventually, whether it’s through reference checks or big mistakes on the job. So, to be hired for the right job in the right organization, it’s best to be a person of integrity and live by the old saying “honesty is the best policy.” Here are two reasons why.
#1: Integrity Increases the Chances of Success
Similar to a dating situation, the relationship will not be a long-lasting one if you suddenly become an actor and change who you are just because of the person, or in this case the employer. Sure, you might be able to trick the interviewer into thinking that you have a certain amount of experience in a particular field by “upselling” your former roles. But what happens when you get hired and then fail at what should be the simplest parts of your job? You won’t be happy and your chances of success will be slim at best. In order to find your true fit, be honest about your prior experience. No, you may not get a job as soon as you would like, but when you do, it will be the right one.
#2: Integrity Makes You a Desirable Candidate
Ask 10 recruiters what they want in a candidate and I guarantee you most of them will say that they are looking for integrity in a candidate. When conducting an interview a while back, I asked someone what her three greatest weaknesses were. She replied, “I don’t really have any weaknesses. I get things done on time and don’t make many mistakes.” Needless to say, I was finished with the conversation at that point. Why? Because if someone can’t tell me what his weaknesses are, trust cannot be established and he will not be a productive resource in an organization. Showing your mistakes and what you learned from them makes you a desirable candidate and shows the employer that you have leadership capabilities. People will trust you and see you as an open communicator, two traits every employer is looking for.
If you practice having integrity on a daily basis, you will be sure to find the perfect job that is right for you and your skills. Good recruiters know how to evaluate a fit, and can do so properly when you are being up front about your skills and abilities as well as your weaknesses. The moral of the story: Integrity will get you hired.
