Consider Something Radical. Be Real.

In this series, professionals share their hiring secrets. Read the stories here, then write your own (use #HowIHire somewhere in the body of your post).

Who are you, really?

That’s what I want to know when I’m hiring. I don’t want you to act and talk like the person you think I want. Be yourself. Your real self is going to come out anyway if I do hire you, sooner or later, so why not get it over with quickly so we can both figure out if you’re right for the job. Do you really want to wind up in the wrong job for the wrong organization in six months? That doesn’t do either of us any good.

The thing about being yourself is that whether we’re talking about life or a job application and interview process, it’s far easier said than done. Everybody wants to present their best self. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But if I interview you, I’m going to try to get a little deeper. I’m not going to scope you out on social media or administer psychological tests to plumb the depths of your inner mind. I’m going to do something radical. I’m going to talk to you. Really talk. I’m going to be myself, which is to say not stuffy. Odds are you’re going to take my cue and relax and start to be yourself as well.   

For me it’s in large part about instinct. Yes, you need to have the credentials, the experience or both, but I believe it’s also important to be able to learn on the job and to be creative, willing to make mistakes, be an innovator, and be able to work well with others. Those are qualities that often come with college degrees — but not always. I’m looking past the paperwork.

What excites you? What innovations did you come up with at your last job and what were the results? If you were there 20 years, I’m not necessarily going to consider that an advantage or a disadvantage. Staying long or moving around, either way I can be good with that. I want to know what you did while you were there. Were you content to hang out comfortably in one position, or did you move up the ladder, trying different jobs and different capabilities, working to make things better in one way or another?

The important thing for me is getting to the core of who you are. If I tell you something about my family, or story about my dog, or something that reveals a little about myself to demonstrate that I am indeed “real,”  reciprocate. Be real in your own way. Keeping it as casual as possible helps me figure out who I have in front of me. Your experience and resume may get you in the door, but we both know there is far more — and we need to connect to get there.

Don’t misunderstand. It doesn’t mean you have to make me laugh or entertain me or that we need to become best friends in a half hour. I just want to get to know you a little.

So come prepared to talk honestly, to be “real.” That’s how I’ll be, and that’s all I ask from you.