Not sure how long it will take for Australian cricket fans to recover from the earth-shattering blow to their ego’s and pride in their national team, after the recent shocking admission by trio captain Steve Smith, Vice-skipper David Warner and Test opener Cameron Bancroft, who all confessed to being involved in ball-tampering.
Any avid cricket enthusiast will tell you the aftermath of this will long be felt by the Australian team and their supporters. Breaking sporting code is often considered more scathing and more unforgivable than breaking the law.
But all sport scandals aside (and no offence and sympathies to Australian cricket devotees), this confession got me thinking. Depending on the transgression, there are instances when confessing is not going to potentially kill your career. It may even see you still bag the job of your dreams and it all boils down to one thing.
The one attribute that virtually all bosses want, plain ol’ HONESTY.
If you’re considered trustworthy from the get go, then chances are, you will be perceived in a positive light and stand in good stead for getting the job you want.
Start with your CV
Ensure it is squeaky clean. CV’s are not only about your credentials but an initial glimpse at revealing a piece of your personality. A simple omission of something unpleasant like being fired from a job, could prove detrimental and might cost you the job you’ve set your heart on because you just weren’t open to disclose or state the situation as is and thought it better to refrain from telling the recruiters the “real deal”. Often when a situation is explained to a recruiter, we can ease the client into knowing what led to the incident and often clients are willing to overlook or give you a fair chance because you were upfront.
Dates
These are mostly regarded as fact. If you only worked at a place for the 3-month probation period and then changed your mind or left because you couldn’t handle the slow-paced environment, outdated tech or filter coffee (some people are THAT serious about their morning beverage), then state so. Many a time, your current or ex-boss is a client of the recruitment agency. Or we know a candidate who works at that specific place when you did. So inside info is not always hard to find and like the saying goes, “It’s a small world after all”.
Technologies
Often a job requires that you have used a specific programming language or database for a set number of years. This is your practical know-how and you will be caught out if you exaggerated your ability and how long you have used that tech. Also, when last it was used. There are exceptions however, when clients are willing to provide some time for you to refresh those skills or where they are open to giving you the opportunity to train a bit. But don’t say you are currently using C# or Linux when you last used it 5 years ago.
Desired Salary
If you want X, then be open about it so the recruitment consultant can establish roles where getting the X payslip may become a reality. But don’t say you want Y, and then when presented with Y, you suddenly feel the consultant only negotiated to get you the minimum. We are here to help you through the process but if we not informed about your true wishes then we can’t fight for it. But remember factoring salaries can often be tricky. Try to remain realistic about your expectations.
Cancelling Interviews (especially at the last minute)
Recruitment agencies are the middleman for a reason. We can fend off nasty clients or politely explain that you “forgot to set your alarm” or “your geyser burst” type excuses for not being able to arrive at the interview. Interviews can be rescheduled but this should not become standard behaviour. A tip is before agreeing to an interview date – check your schedule, check your phone for anything you may have diarised or like I do, a piece of paper on which you jot down your “What to do” list. Then check where the company is and the travel time you require. Giving yourself enough time is key and helps keep the nerves calm.
Relocation
When you decide to move for a new job, be ten thousand percent sure before signing the offer. You literally break our hearts or send our blood pressures to beyond boiling point when you change your mind after the contract is settled. There are unique instances when it’s understandable when you retract, but we would really prefer you take time out to weigh all the pros and cons before making the final decision to pack up and go.
So, whether it be on paper or verbally, any engagement with the recruitment consultant and your future boss is taken in good faith, believe me, we WANT to trust you.