Honesty and Authenticity in Interviews: A Recent Experience

Interviewing for a job is a process of building trust and showcasing your skills and potential. Unfortunately, a recent experience left me questioning how far some candidates are willing to go to misrepresent themselves to land a role. Here’s what happened, and my advice to job seekers based on it.

I recently conducted a video conference interview for an open position on my team. At first, the candidate seemed knowledgeable and confident, answering technical questions almost flawlessly. However, as the interview progressed, their responses began to feel too polished—as if they were reading pre-prepared answers or even being assisted in real-time by AI. This suspicion prompted me to request the next round of interviews be held in-person.

What followed didn’t surprise me. The candidate provided excuses for why they couldn’t attend an on-site interview, citing personal priorities that would prevent them from coming to the office for weeks. To me, it felt like a red flag. It sounded like a scam—a potential attempt to secure a remote position with no intention of ever contributing meaningfully, possibly juggling multiple jobs while collecting paychecks until being discovered.

This experience underscored an important principle:?Integrity matters.

My Advice to Job Seekers

When interviewing, honesty is crucial. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s perfectly fine to admit it. A simple response like, “I’m not sure about that, but I’m eager to learn,” can be far more impressive than attempting to feign knowledge. Employers value authenticity and a willingness to grow more than they value perfection. Similarly, while AI is a powerful tool for learning and development, it should not be misused to deceive during an interview. Your problem-solving abilities and potential are what matter, not how well you can read from a screen. Finally, be transparent about your availability. If personal priorities conflict with in-office requirements, it’s better to address them upfront rather than misrepresenting your intentions. Building trust through honesty is far more effective than risking distrust by withholding critical information.

Preparing for Interviews: Best Practices

Preparation is key to presenting your authentic self during an interview. Start by thoroughly researching the company and role. Review the job description and identify how your skills align with the requirements. Websites like?Indeed?and?The Muse?offer valuable advice on common interview questions and how to structure your responses. Additionally, practice answering technical and behavioral questions aloud. Resources such as?Glassdoor?provide insights into company-specific interview questions, which can help you feel more confident during the conversation.

Another essential step is to prepare examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a popular framework that helps you structure your responses effectively. For more details on this approach, check out this guide from?Forbes.

While preparation is important, avoid the temptation to over-rehearse. Over-preparation can make your answers sound robotic and insincere. Instead, focus on understanding the key points you want to convey and adapt them naturally during the conversation.

The Importance of Authenticity

The trust you build during an interview sets the foundation for your relationship with your employer. Misrepresentation may get you the job, but it’s unlikely to lead to long-term success. Instead, focus on presenting your authentic self. Employers value candidates who are willing to grow, learn, and face challenges head-on—not those who rely on shortcuts.

If you’re lucky enough to secure a role, there will be plenty of opportunities to leverage tools like AI and seek guidance from colleagues. But those moments should come after you’ve demonstrated your own capabilities and earned the trust of your team.

A Personal Note

As someone who hires and builds teams, I prioritize finding individuals with the right attitude over those who claim to know it all. I firmly believe that skills can be taught, but integrity and a willingness to learn are traits that cannot be easily instilled. I would much rather bring someone on who is upfront about their gaps in knowledge and demonstrates a genuine eagerness to grow than hire someone who misrepresents themselves. Honesty and a positive mindset lay the foundation for a successful career, and they are the qualities that resonate with me as a leader.

Final Thoughts

Interviewing is not just about landing a job—it’s about finding a role that aligns with your values, skills, and goals. By being honest, prepared, and authentic, you can build a strong foundation for a successful career. Remember, your integrity and willingness to learn are your greatest assets. Let’s strive for honesty and authenticity in interviews. It’s the first step in building a career that you can be proud of.