Take the Time to Do It Right: There are No Shortcuts to Success!

• July 8, 2020

The Fourth Step of the Faremouth Method is “Take The Time To Do It Right.”   In times of uncertainty and change, some may feel compelled to take short cuts.  Short cuts may seem to be the easiest way to get from one point to another but there will always be a price to be paid in that process.  The fear of the unknown might lead some to sacrifice their own morality for a perceived favorable outcome but, even that, creates more fear of the truth rearing its ugly head at a later time.  The truth will be exposed when you least expect it.

One of the ancient teachings by Buddha emphasizes three things which cannot be long hidden – the Sun, the Moon, and the Truth.  In other words, we must always continue to uphold our integrity.  Specifically, when looking for a job in these challenging times during the pandemic, integrity and honesty are non-negotiable.

This brings me to a real situation that happened just the other day.  I had been on a search assignment for one of my clients that involved a very specific skill set and background.  I came upon a resume that seemed to be “right on.”  The candidate had the exact skillset and tenure that the client required.  I did a video interview, which is now replacing the in-person interview, and the candidate seemed to really resonate with all the requirements and more.  The “more” part was the interesting twist in the scenario because, as I later found out, there was for sure more to the story.

After my preliminary findings, I sent the resume to the client and they reviewed and decided to interview the person for this job.  I then advised the candidate of the day and time requested, etc.  He agreed, and, at that point, decided to inform me he would send me an updated resume.  Being perplexed, I asked if he had taken a very short temp job.  His response was to let me just review the resume when received.

Upon receiving the resume, I noticed there were some major discrepancies from the initial resume that had been submitted.  I immediately called the applicant to discuss the differences on the resume and after a back and forth discussion, he confessed the reason for expanding the truth on the resume was out of fear.  Fear of not getting an interview if his real situation was revealed.

Unfortunately, when then submitting the updated resume, which I felt compelled to do, the client declined to interview the candidate.  No matter what the truth is, your resume must reflect the truth. By admitting your truth or stretching it, you could eventually cost yourself the job offer and respect.

The unfortunate part, however, is that if he would have taken the time to do it right, and presented the situation honestly, he would have had a better opportunity to get the interview and possibly a job offer.  The choices we all have to make, whether during or in the absence of the pandemic, have to be aligned with integrity.  In fact, integrity may be more important now than ever due to the enormous competition out there.  Employers are really looking for people they can trust, rely upon, and count on in these very uncertain times.  They are looking at everything under a microscope these days.  Knowing that might inspire one to become their best self and deal with challenges of the past in a new and innovative way.  It never pays to present a work history or details as to why you left a particular employment which is inaccurate.

In some cases, even, if a candidate is uncertain of how to present a challenging situation in their work history, it might behoove them to get the advice of a mentor, career counselor, or friend to know how to present it in an honest and truthful way.  At the same time, a challenging situation can be presented in a way that will shed a positive light and have the common denominator of the experience be laced with honesty and integrity.

Personal courage is not the absence of fear.  It is the ability to put fear aside and do what is necessary.  Courage takes two forms, physical and moral.  Physical courage is overcoming fears of bodily harm which we can all relate to with Covid-19.  Moral courage is a willingness to stand firm on values, principles, and convictions and to stand up for what you believe to be right, regardless of the consequences.  Allow your own personal light and compass to always shine on the real truth of who you are rather than what you want your story to be.