Character over Resume. Why?

I remember attending my first ever job interview at the tender age of 18, feeling all sorts of emotions, and already thinking my way into anxiety.

“Am I properly dressed? Have I prepared enough? What questions are they going to ask me that I haven’t prepared for yet? Am I even fit for the role?”

Walking into the interview room, I was greeted by a well-suited man shuffling a couple of papers in his hand. One of them was my resume.

The night before, I had memorised my whole resume front to back ensuring I was more than prepared. “Let’s do this and get it over and done with!” I thought to myself as I seated into my chair.

After some small talks about the weather, the birds, the bees and last night’s current affairs, he began to ask the one question that I didn’t prepare for: “Tell me about yourself”.

My palms began sweating and my mind unsure of where to start. “Um… well…” were the only two words I managed to utter, while trying to take control of my overwhelming mind. I failed miserably on that question, and because of this, all my answers to the remaining questions were disastrous. How much I wanted to disappear into the walls and never be seen again.

This birthed my hate towards all things job interviews.

Fast forward 12 years later, the one question that daunted me is the very same question I love to draw out of people.

“Tell me about yourself” is an open ended question that allows one to tap into their highest frequency, and share it with others. It is a powerful question. Intimidating to one who is not use to tapping into their highest being – like 18 year old me in that interview room.

It allows you to bring forth your most wholesome self in the most honest way possible because let’s be realistic, your character is what your managers and fellow co-workers will be working alongside every day – not the person you painted with words on your resume.

At NewWay Solutions, our unique recruitment process ensures we look past the resumes to better connect candidates to organizations that will help them thrive personally and within their role.

Although resumes are still somewhat important, a simple conversation and genuine connection will allow you more access to one’s true self than a resume ever could. Your character will always speak louder than your resume.

In saying that, when preparing for an interview I highly recommend the following tips:

• Come as you are!

• Have a mindset of a student, always willing to learn.

• Have the character of a servant, always willing to be of service.

As simple as it is, these simple tips can set you ahead of everyone else applying for the same role, and life in general.

And remember, you are being interviewed – not your resume!