Learn a Lesson From Oprah's Family

Telling the truth is always the right thing to do.

How you disclose the truth and use it to your advantage (or fail to use it, to your disadvantage) is a matter of timing, audience and content. Oprah’s disclosure regarding her family and Letterman’s lighthearted reveal about his relationships show that there is a way to handle information that can benefit you, or at least keep the tabloids from crushing you, should you be a multi-buzillionaire and your secret life is buzz worthy.

Looking for a job or preparing for the interview round, can be challenging when everything is just “peachy.” However, there are a few tips that can help you conquer your fear and rate of rejection due to gaps in employment history, negative work reviews or a criminal conviction.

1. Tell the Truth

Employees are representatives. When customers and clients purchase goods or services from that company, the person they interacted with is as significant in their experience as the product itself. Hiring managers have to consider this fact when they place people in interactive positions. It is always best to be upfront about anything you feel will keep you from being able to positively represent the company, or that you believe would cause the company to question your integrity or ability. As a rule, HR directors and managers appreciate candor. Taking responsibility for the issue shows a level of integrity and maturity that may render the negative information inconsequential.

2. Remain Positive

Spin the information or experience into a positive lesson learned. Take a moment to reflect on the information and define ways it benefitted you. If you had a tough supervisor at your last place of employment, explaining how you learned conflict management, sharpened your communication skills and gained insight into interpersonal relations can make the supervisor’s potential negative remarks seem petty.  Minimally it shows your effort to work with varying personality types and that you gleamed information that will help you in the next position.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice

Do not believe Oprah appeared on national television to discuss newly found sister without preparation, and in her case, legal advice. Practice answering the questions you anticipate stumbling over in a mirror. If you look uncomfortable, the interviewer is uncomfortable. Repeating the words not only help you speak clearer and with more confidence, it can ease your anxiety. Type out your responses and edit them several times. Have another person review your responses. Have them saved on your computer so you can cut and paste them into an application, if necessary.

Confronting a situation head on is often a wise decision. Allowing negative or missing information to dictate your job search will keep you minimizing your opportunities in a market that is already skinny on positions. Failing to disclose information can make you appear dishonest or as if you have a secret. Manipulation can only occur if you haven’t dealt with the experience or information up front. Take a lesson from Oprah and her family, put it out there before someone else does.

Photo by: debaird™