By Thelá R. Thatch, MBA, PHR
You love God, and I most certainly do too! However, your job interview is not the best time to deliver your testimony. We live in the world, and although we are not of the world (Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect), the reality is the world has certain expectations of how applicants are to present themselves while on a job interview.
There are basic rules and expectations that employers and hiring managers expect to see when they are interviewing a candidate. Punctuality, neatness, strong communication skills, knowledge of their trade, and proven skill sets are just a few characteristics of a good employee that employers are looking to recruit.
As believers representing a higher power, integrity is a must. First impressions are lasting impressions. For example, neatness and having a conservative dress shows respect for the person in the position of authority that is interviewing you. (Romans 13:1- Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God).
Although we all want to ‘Praise the Lord,’ and ‘Get an Amen,’ and shout ‘Hallelujah’ because of God’s grace and mercy, the interview is not the place to start shouting. This is the time to focus on your job skills and on communicating those skills. Once you get the job, shout ‘Amen,’ ‘Hallelujah,’ and ‘Thank You, Jesus’ in the parking lot. Until you get the job, pray for wisdom and discernment, and wait for the opportunity to share your faith whenever you can.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it is important that employers do not use your religion as a basis to employ or not to employ you. Therefore, stick to business and your talents as a professional. If God wants you to plant a mission field within that company or share your beliefs, you will be hired, and you will have opportunities in the appropriate setting to share your faith and profess your love for your higher power during your own time.
Therefore, to keep it really simple, here are a few “Do’s” as you prepare for your next interview;
Do- Research the company. Be prepared to be excellent and impress the interviewer by knowing facts about the company that other applicants may not have taken the time to find out.
Do – Be upbeat and positive. Although you won’t tell your interviewer that God is with you on the interview. Visualize and know that your God is with you during the interview and convey that joy during your interview.
Do – Be friendly to everyone on your way to the interview. Smile at the employees from the parking lot to the interviewer’s office. We should be that light anyway. You never know who you are interacting with, and you may just be smiling at your new direct report or even the owner!
Do – Dress conservatively. Keep it simple. Do not allow your clothes, accessories, hair, perfume, etc. to distract the interviewer. Although you do not need to hide who you are, do your best to practice modesty and humility during the interview. Often, hiring managers want to know you are a learner and can adapt to changing environments.
Do – Have additional copies of your resume, references, and type questions for the interviewer. Be different and be on top of your game!
Do – Be confident and use this as your time to talk about everything you have been blessed to accomplish in your life. Of course, there is nothing wrong with professing your faith and attributing your faith to the reason why you have accomplished X, Y, and Z. However, if you hear yourself being overly religious (saying Amen, In sha’Allah, Hallelujah, etc.) during interview, take a deep breath and remember you are not at your place of worship.
Finally, know that what God has for you is for you. If your interview does not go well understand that you must never give up because your breakthrough is behind that next door!
