“Be Yourself, or You’ll Be Found Out”- A Message to Job Seekers"

“It’s better to be hired for who you are than rejected for who you pretended to be."

Over the last year, in course of building Pococare I’ve had the opportunity to meet many candidates for various roles at Pococare. There’s one consistent frustration I’ve encountered: a significant mismatch between the story told by your LinkedIn profile and resume versus who you are in reality. And let me tell you, when your communication skills don’t align with the sharp, polished profile you’ve crafted, it’s not just disappointing—it’s embarrassing.

In today’s job market, it’s easy to fall into the trap of crafting the perfect LinkedIn profile and resume with a little help from AI or professional writers. But here’s the thing—if your polished profile doesn’t reflect who you truly are, it’s going to backfire when you sit down for an interview. Here’s why you need to align your online presence with your actual skills and experience.

1. Your LinkedIn Profile vs. Reality

On LinkedIn, everyone is a "growth driver," "efficiency enabler," or "successful startup builder." While it’s tempting to use big titles and buzzwords, remember—recruiters and interviewers can see through fluff. If your profile claims expertise in areas you barely understand, it will be obvious the moment you’re asked to explain.

For example, if you’re claiming to be an SEO expert but can’t define what SEO stands for in an interview, it’s a problem. You’re not just misleading the recruiter—you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects your genuine skills and accomplishments. It’s better to be real than to lose credibility.

2. Your Resume Should Reflect Your Journey

Resumes crafted by AI tools or paid experts often paint an unrealistic picture. While these services might give you a neat, professional-looking document, they can distort your actual career path. When your communication skills or technical knowledge don’t match the sparkling resume, you create an awkward disconnect in interviews.

It’s okay if you don’t have all the skills or experiences you think the job requires. Be transparent about where you are in your career, what you’ve accomplished, and what you still need to learn. Owning your journey is far more impressive than exaggerating your expertise.

3. Don’t Bluff—You’ll Get Caught

Assume that interviewers are experts in their field. Don’t try to bluff your way through a topic you’re not familiar with, thinking they won’t notice. You risk coming across as dishonest, and it won’t take long before the interviewer realizes you’ve stretched the truth.

If you don’t know something, be honest. Admitting that you don’t have all the answers but are willing to learn shows maturity and self-awareness. Pretending you know it all, on the other hand, only makes you look unprepared.

4. Authenticity Matters

At the end of the day, you want to be hired for who you truly are, not for the inflated version of yourself that an AI-crafted resume presents. Your goal should be to match your professional persona with your real-world abilities. This way, when you land the job, you can deliver on what you’ve promised—without the risk of falling short.

If you don’t have certain skills, don’t claim them. You’re not fooling anyone. If interviewer asks a question, assume s/he know the answer. Don’t try to bluff your way through thinking the interviewer is naive; that mindset is your downfall.

In Conclusion

Be yourself. Be true to your skills and experiences, and let your resume and LinkedIn profile reflect the real you. Authenticity will take you much further than buzzwords and exaggeration ever will.

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