How to Build Trust with a Potential Employer

Sharon Mak All, Job Search Tips Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of pixabay.com

Image courtesy of pixabay.com

Would you consider yourself a trustworthy person? If so, great. However, that doesn’t mean this quality in you will be apparent to strangers. “So what? I’m not concerned with how strangers perceive me,” you may be thinking. Such a mindset is not expedient for a job seeker. Most potential employers that you meet will be new to you, and you’ll need to earn their trust before you earn a position at their company.

Are You Trustworthy?

Before you learn how to build trust with a potential employer, it’s important to develop good character and to respect yourself. If you are not an honest person, you will not be a confident job seeker. Many people—employers included—see right through facades, so make every effort to become a person of integrity in the process of your job search. Here are a few ways to do this:

Communicate bravely

Do you find yourself making excuses or even lying when asked to do something you don’t want to do? It may seem like this approach relieves stress, but it increases it. Train yourself to be a brave communicator by politely but firmly setting boundaries with others, and not apologizing for them.

Keep confidences

Have you ever shared a confidence that you knew in your heart you should have kept? We all have. The ability to keep a confidence is the hallmark of a healthy, trustworthy person, so cultivate this behavior.

Be committed to your word

It’s easy to make a commitment under pressure and later break it. Become a person of your word by consistently following through on what you commit to do.

How to Build Trust with a Potential Employer

It matters what people think of you – especially potential employers. You might be an extremely trustworthy person, but if you don’t know how to communicate that to others, you may remain unemployed longer than necessary. You can begin building trust with hiring managers and other professionals by…

 

  • Avoiding exaggerations – It’s easy to exaggerate one’s abilities and accomplishments in a resume or cover letter. No matter how strong the temptation is, don’t do it! Make sure you can back up all of your claims with facts.

 

  • Being transparent – When you are in an interview, be appropriately transparent when asked about your flaws. Arnie Fertig, writer for US News, encourages job seekers to admit their areas of weakness but “show how you turn them into strengths.”

 

  • Working on your self-confidence – As unfair as this may seem, people who lack self-confidence are often perceived as untrustworthy. If you struggle with timidity, self-doubt, or low self-esteem, make confidence-building a top priority. Read self-help books, attend seminars, go to counseling — do whatever is necessary to attain a good self-image.

 

Trust is an essential component of any professional relationship. Prove your trustworthiness to potential employers by first building personal integrity, then communicating it effectively. This will make you a sought-after job candidate.

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