Career and Job Search Help Blog

Shenelle Payne Cuffy, one of our 2024 Career Coaches in Residence, shares how being true to ourselves can help create stronger professional relationships and opportunities.

Consider this scenario: you come across a job opportunity that really excites you. It includes all the responsibilities you are looking for, and you meet most of the qualifications. As you begin to customize your resume and cover letter to apply for the role, a question comes into your mind: “Am I truly comfortable sharing this experience, skill or personal attribute with a potential employer?” This thought prompts you to reflect on how your experiences shape your professional identity. You might start to consider how potential employers might perceive you based on the information you choose to share.

This is a common concern job seekers have, especially in today’s competitive job market. With many job seekers vying for the same role, we might consider adapting to mainstream culture and societal norms in order to increase our chances of finding employment. This can present itself in various ways, including downplaying our qualifications to avoid coming across as overqualified or misrepresenting our educational background. It might also involve altering non-traditional names to sound more conventional, omitting culturally specific experiences or skills like language fluency or not disclosing accommodations we need in the hiring process.

While these strategies may seem like a way to reduce the risk of discrimination, it is important that we challenge this notion and explore the potential long-term implications. Is hiding our identity really what we want to achieve? Embracing our authenticity can lead to more fulfilling and supportive work environments, positively impact the work we do and ultimately benefit ourselves and our employers.

Authenticity is being real and genuine about the person we are, which influences our self-image and how others perceive us. In career development, authenticity enables us to navigate our career paths without hiding parts of ourselves. It leads us to greater self-awareness, helping us understand our interests, strengths and areas for improvement—all leading to a more fulfilling career. By being authentic, we pursue opportunities that resonate with us and reduce the internal pressure to conform to others' expectations. This allows for a more comfortable and confident approach to career development.

To prospective and current employers, being true to ourselves allows others to see our character and our values. This allows meaningful connections to grow by setting a foundation of trust and consistency. If others have a better understanding of what skills we bring, our values and unique characteristics, they are more likely to connect with us on a deeper level. This can lead to stronger relationships and collaborative opportunities that align with our shared goals and aspirations.

Here are some practical tips to increase your level of authenticity while starting out in your career:

• Write a resume that reflects your unique skills, experiences and education. Highlight attributes that set you apart from other candidates.

• Write a cover letter that speaks to the values you hold as an individual. Demonstrate how these values influence how you show up as an employee and how they will contribute to the culture of the organization.

• Ask friends, colleagues, past managers or mentors about what skills or characteristics you possess that contribute to your uniqueness.

• During an interview, demonstrate your level of self-awareness: be honest about your experiences, skills and areas that you are working to improve.

• Ask questions during interviews to determine if the position and company is a right fit for you. Do your personal values in align with the company’s?

• Build your brand through LinkedIn. Write posts and comment on articles that resonate with you. Share your successes and your challenges as well.

• Attend networking events that align with your goals. You are more likely to make better connections with people who have similar interests.

Consider taking small steps now to embrace your authentic self. Each choice you make can lead to greater confidence, fulfillment and meaningful connections in your career.

The Career Coaches in Residence program is generously supported by lead donors Azrieli Foundation and RBC Future Launch and supporting donors Linda Dagg and Kenneth Wiener and Google Canada.