Q&A: “Should I be honest during my interview?”

“Should I be honest during my interview?”

You may be thinking, “How is this a question? Of course the answer is yes.” But people are asking me, and asking themselves.

I’ve become the recruiter people reach out to when they need an unbiased opinion about an upcoming interview or taking a job, even if it’s not an interview process I’m involved with at all.

The questions are straightforward. Should they share the real reason they left their job? Should they tell the hiring manager if they’re not a perfect fit for the role? Should they proactively say they were laid off if it happened in between the first round interview and the final?

100% yes.

The nuance is framing. Let’s call this confident, succinct, forward-looking honesty. Own it.

For example, over the years I’ve talked to many VP+ and C-level job seekers who left their roles due to the company and leadership no longer being aligned with their values. They are looking for companies and people who are.

That statement above is succinct, forward looking, and about what’s next. It’s not going on and on negatively about the people, their personalities, the things they witnessed, gossip, and it’s not a 20 minute story that sounds defensive. The person could say “the company was no longer aligned with my values, which are <insert values here>. That’s something that’s very important to me, and I feel you all at this company really embody those characteristics.”

The goal is not simply to get any job, but to thrive. It’s such a weight lifted to be oneself, to be hired for the holistic you.

Looking for more behind the scenes executive search advice? Check out my book Search in Plain Sight on Amazon or Audible. https://a.co/d/03cgmski

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