When there’s a job opening, you read the ad and wonder if you’re a good fit. Sometimes, you may twist your words a little to make yourself sound like a good fit even if you aren’t.
Sound familiar?
This is very common with women. They tend to change their wording, so they sound ‘more masculine’ in the hopes of getting a job, especially in a male-dominant industry. But is it worth it, or can it hurt you?
It can go either way, but oftentimes, using words you don’t normally use just to make yourself come across different doesn’t work in your favor. Here’s why.
You may seem less likable
Here’s the problem. If you try to seem less feminine on your CV, it may come across as unfriendly even if you didn’t mean to. It happens because you aren’t talking naturally.
Remember, they can tell by your name in most cases, if you’re male or female. Then if your words don’t match your gender – they can often tell you’re trying to be something you’re not. That’s not a way to get your foot in the door.
Do you want to start a job off on the wrong foot or decrease your chances of getting the job altogether? Wouldn’t you rather let them know you for who you are and decide from there?
Using words that you genuinely use will make you seem more ‘real’ and potentially more likable.
You may give less information about your background
If you change your language, you won’t write how you naturally write. This usually leads to less information about yourself, which could hurt you in the end.
Writing your normal way with your normal language ensures that the recruiter gets to know the real you and not the person you’re trying to be on paper just to get the job. You could cut yourself short by changing your language.
You may skip personal information from your background that may help
Men typically don’t list out their personal accomplishments, but sometimes they help.
Whether you had sorority memberships or graduated with honors from your college, sometimes this is what an employer needs to hear to give you a chance.
You never know what that one detail is that they want to hear, and if you skip what you’d normally write, you may never know they wanted to hear it.
You may not show your creativity
If you’re trying to ‘come off like a man,’ you may skip the creativeness you normally put into your resume.
Male resumes are typically straightforward and simple. Female resumes tend to be a bit more eccentric, and sometimes that’s what an employer is looking for.
Be yourself
The key when you’re getting any job is to be yourself. Remember, if you get the job, you have to keep up the persona full-time.
Do you want to keep up a ruse that you’re someone you aren’t, or would you rather they knew the ‘real you’ from the start, so you start the job right?
Even if it means you have to apply for more jobs, always be you. While you don’t have to overplay the feminine words, you shouldn’t change how you write or how you come across to get a job. If they like you for you, you’ll get the job.
Be a good boss to yourself
Is the Black Hole due to your resume?
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