Be truthful
When it comes to putting together a CV or job application, it’s OK to be a bit creative with the truth, right? Wrong! There’s a big difference between representing yourself, your achievements and experience in the best possible light and making claims that just aren’t true. The bottom line is, honesty is always the best policy. HR teams are experts in spotting lies, omissions and inconsistencies, and getting caught out will instantly ruin your chances. Never lie about your academic achievements – chances are you will be asked to produce certificates. Don’t exaggerate your position or responsibilities – it will soon become obvious that you’re not as experienced as you say you are. And don’t make up references – they will be checked. Integrity and trustworthiness are vital traits for any professional, and particularly for accountants, where ethics is a key part of the training and the job, so start as you mean to go on.
Be consistent
Any prospective employer will no doubt try to get a sense of who you are through searching your LinkedIn and social media profiles, so make sure they’re painting a consistent – and professional – picture. Double-check that all your dates and qualifications are correct, and that your LinkedIn profile is comprehensive and current. That said, it’s also good practice to tailor your CV and application towards the particular role you’re applying for, prioritising any relevant skills, experience and achievements.
Be self-aware
Honesty is also about self-awareness, and being able to assess your strengths and weaknesses objectively. Be honest about whether you are the right person for the role or opportunity you’re applying for – and whether it’s the right one for you. As well as looking for a position that suits your skills and capabilities, it’s important that it aligns with your personality, values and lifestyle too. Does the company or organisation’s culture fit with your own? Will you be happy and fulfilled in the role? Is it a practical choice? If the answer to all of these is not ‘yes’, then don’t go to the trouble of applying and interviewing; you’ll waste both parties’ time. Equally there’s no point in trying to mould yourself to a role that’s not right for you – it’s unlikely that you will ever be truly happy in it. The better the fit, the easier it is to be honest – and the more likely you are to be successful.
Be professional
There are occasions when brutal honesty might not be the best policy, particularly when it comes to discussing negative experiences at an interview. If you had a miserable time at a previous job or work experience, this is not the place to complain about it. Try to find the positive in the situation: instead of saying, 'I had a horrible boss and I hated it,' you might say, 'It was challenging, but it taught me a lot about myself and dealing with different types of people.' In every job or experience, there will be at least one positive thing you gained or learned. Avoid the temptation to over-share: stick to appropriate topics and keep the conversation relevant. Stay professional when you’re going through the process, too: treat interview questions or assessment day tasks as confidential and don’t share them with anyone else, particularly online.
Be authentic
None of us is the finished article, so be prepared to talk honestly about your weaknesses, and any gaps in your skills or knowledge. Don’t fall into the trap of answering the question, 'What’s your biggest weakness?' with 'I’m a perfectionist' – any interviewer will be wise to it, and it shows a lack of commitment to honest self-assessment. Research has shown that being open about your flaws might even help you get the job – according to a study by University College London published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, applicants who present themselves authentically may have a better chance of being hired than equally qualified candidates who try to enhance themselves during interview. Presenting your own unique strengths and weaknesses based on self-awareness can help you stand out compared to others who pretend to be perfect or rely on scripted answers. When discussing your weaknesses or any gaps in your skills or experience, approach them proactively: acknowledge that they are there, but talk about how you are planning to address them.
Be as open as you want to be
Authenticity is key in finding a role that’s the right fit for you, and it’s important to feel that you can present your whole and true self to a prospective employer. It’s up to you, though, exactly how open you want to be, particularly when it comes to aspects such as your health, mental health and personal circumstances. It is against the law for employers to discriminate against a candidate on the basis of a protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sex), and they are not allowed to ask questions about them during a recruitment process. Of course, in certain situations, it’s important to be upfront about who you are and what reasonable adjustments you might need from a role or employer, so use your judgment.