Stay true to who you are while maintaining professionalism.
From childhood, we are often told that being authentic is the key to success. Be yourself, and everything will fall into place. While staying true to your values is crucial, being your authentic self may not always be the best approach in every situation.
First and foremost, defining your “self” can be a complex task. Are you truly yourself when you are alone and relaxed, or when you are in a professional setting? It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to maintain the same persona in all scenarios. When applying for a job, for instance, would you present your casual at-home self or your professional work-ready self? We all adapt our behavior to suit different environments, showcasing different aspects of our personalities. When aiming to make a positive impression in a professional setting, it’s important to highlight the most relevant aspects of yourself.
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For instance, imagine you excel in both copywriting and accounting, but you take more pride in your copywriting skills. If you were applying for positions in both fields, would you submit the same cover letter for both roles? Probably not. Even though copywriting is one of your strongest skills, the accounting position requires a different focus. You should tailor your application to highlight your accounting expertise, with a mention of your copywriting abilities as a complementary skill. This is not being deceptive; it’s about showcasing the most relevant qualities.
Whether in professional or personal settings, there will be instances where your values don’t align with those of others. In such cases, it’s acceptable to remain true to yourself and gracefully step away. The advice to “be yourself” isn’t a magical solution to every challenge; rather, it emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with situations that allow you to be true to the version of yourself you are most comfortable with.
