Job Interviews: To Be Authentic or Not?

Picture this: It's my farewell bash. Yep, I've done it again – quit my job, sold off everything, and I'm gearing up for another wild and uncertain adventure in just 10 days.

So, you know how these farewells go – all the sweet stuff your coworkers say to bid you adieu. But then, there's the moment everyone's secretly waiting for... What pearls of wisdom will boss boss drop?

Boss boss: 'I vividly recall the day Martha strutted into my office for that final interview over a year ago. I thought, 'Who's this dynamo with boundless positive vibes, a zest for life, and eyes that could outshine the sun?' That's exactly why I hired her. We needed that fresh energy to tackle a big project's grand finale.'

Me (internally): 'Hey, boss boss, maybe you should've let me in on that secret from day one. I could've toned down the troublemaking. Maybe stuck around a bit longer.'

Yep, just being my authentic self snagged me the gig. Here's the kicker: When I applied for this job, I had zero direct experience in this field. Yet, the hiring manager had the guts to entrust me with one of the company's most critical projects.

Fast forward 13 years, and I've interviewed folks from every corner of the globe. From Colombia ?to Greece to Morocco to Burkina Faso to South Korea, I've chatted with entrepreneurs who've conquered the business world, ambitious corporate hotshots from top global firms, and fresh-faced ambitious interns. We've delved deep into their career dreams, their motivations, their achievements, and everything in between.

A few have blown my socks off, but many have led me on an odyssey of interview-induced boredom.

Every interviewer seeks that spark – the X-factor that sets a candidate apart. We can hunt for this spark for months, even a year. The catch? It's different for every organization. Why, you ask? Well, for every job opening, we're swamped with hundreds, sometimes thousands of applications. Many of them have matching skills, experiences, and similar corporate backgrounds.

Hence the question becomes, how will you stand out? Definitely not by blending into the crowd. In a cutthroat job market, conformity is the demon you need to exorcise.

Here's a quote I coined recently, inspired by my mentor Albert Einstein: 'Authenticity will take you where Experience/Skills and Achievements will not.'

In the headhunting world, recruiters scout for organizations in need of agile, adaptable, self-driven, enthusiastic, problem-solving champions. PS: If that sounds like you, and you're on the hunt for your next career leap, slide into my DMs with what makes your heart race and the dream move you're chasing.

Why this laundry list of traits, you ask? Because these organizations are on a rocket-speed growth trajectory, changing at warp speed. They understand that this dynamic world of work isn't everyone's cup of tea. And that’s perfectly ok.

If that makes you a tad uncomfortable, here's a reality check: Our bodies replace daily, about 330 billion cells, which is about 1 percent of all our cells. In roughly 80 to 100 days, 30 trillion cells are replenished, basically a new you is formed. We're in a perpetual state of change. Everything's game for transformation and renewal.

These personal traits I've mentioned? They need to be more than just words – they need to be felt, seen, and proven. No matter how fancy your cover letter and CV appear, if you can't show up and let your authentic self shine through, convincing an interviewer that you're an agile, adaptable, self-driven, enthusiastic, problem solver becomes mission impossible. All they'll hear is 'yada yada' (I picked this gem from my Malawi friends – it's a synonym for meaningless chatter).

So, how do you go about this? How do you thrive in interviews as YOU?

First, recognize that the energy and effort you spend hiding behind masks is the same amount you'll need to unveil your true self. And trust me, life gets a whole lot easier once you do.

Second, try some of these;

1.???? Quit cramming your interview responses.

Let me tell you a secret, this is equally frustrating for you as it is for the interviewer. Seriously, you've got this! Take a deep breath. Prepping responses to the dot works against you in three ways: 1) It's a waste of time if the questions aren’t asked, 2) You'll freak out on what to say when unexpected questions pop up, 3) You might panic when you can't recall the perfect answer, resulting in a whole lot of 'yada yada.' Instead, master the STAR technique. It'll help you tackle questions systematically and confidently, drawing from your past experiences. And remember, to always keep an updated record of your standout achievements – they're your golden ticket to nailing your interviews.

2.???? Be relentless in your quest for comfort.

Everything matters – how your clothes feel on your skin, the state of your stomach (seriously!), the perfect lipstick shade, the quality of your shoes, your belt, your vocal quality, and your vibes. And I can’t overemphasized the importance of being ruthless in shielding yourself from anything or anyone that messes with your 'A-game' look, sound, or feel the night or morning before.

3.???? Embrace authenticity in your everyday life.

You won't magically start showing up authentically after a few mirror rehearsals. Nah. ?Embracing your true self is a lifelong adventure. Whether it's your interaction with street vendors, strangers on the street, or the loftiest person you know –strive to be genuine and present. You're kind, successful, ambitious, high-potential, gifted, and joyful individual. Master the art of being yourself in every encounter, and you'll always leave your unique mark, no matter the audience. Being you is an art of courage. You will never get it 100% right, yet the more you make the effort, the closer you get.

Tell me, which of these three mindsets would you love embrace as you chart your career journey? I'm here to lend a hand!

Have a Joyful Tuesday!

Luna