Wondering what is a Fake Representative, and why you would give them a job interview? Well, let me explain.
What is a Fake Representative?
First, let me ask you something. Have you ever gone to a job interview, where you presented a different version of yourself? Did the version that went on the job interview look like you, but just a little different? I’ll bet that version of you wore what you thought would be best to get the job, not what you would normally wear, right? Perhaps the job interview version of you was more thoughtful about communicating with others? I’ll bet the job interview version of you is more polite, and patient, and toots your horn without sounding conceited. If this sounds familiar to you, then you already know what a Fake Representative is!
Your Fake Representative is the alternate version of yourself that you send in to handle difficult situations on your behalf. Some people don’t have many uses for their Fake Representative, while others use their Fake Representatives regularly. However, I believe most people tend to send in their FR when interviewing for jobs.
I Sent My Fake Representative to Job Interviews!
Back in the day, I just about wore out my Fake Representative by sending her on job interviews. I was focused on making sure that I put my best foot forward, so I sent her in. She put on the requisite attire, had the perfect hairdo, and always knew what to say. My Fake Representative knew how to always act like she wanted the job, whether she really did or not. My FR knew how to pretend she was interested in things that I really didn’t care about. She was a superhero that could morph into whatever person was needed to be impressive and likable by the interviewers.
Career counselors and “how to get a job” resources all emphasize how important it is to make a good first impression, and that’s true. A job interview can be a stressful high pressure situation. You have a short amount of time to convey a lot of information about who you are and why you are good for the job. Often you are not just talking to one person, you are interviewing with a panel of people. While one person is asking the questions, the other people are studying your every facial expression and writing down everything you say. Who better to handle all that scrutiny than my Fake Representative?
There Was No Job Interview My Fake Representative Could Not Handle!
My Fake Representative was awesome! It took a long time for me to get her that way. Because I didn’t graduate from high school and took about 10 years to graduate from college, I felt out of place when competing for jobs I wanted. I didn’t have a college roommate story, never hung out “on the quad” and didn’t belong to any sorority. I worked full-time, went to 4 different colleges, and went to school at night and on weekends. So to compensate for my own thoughts of inadequacy, I put years of practice into shaping my Fake Representative into being a formidable force!
She could withstand any tough interview questions, hold her head high, and always walk out of the interview thinking “I got this!” Whether I got the job or not (and I did not always get the job), I was satisfied with my FR performance. It was all good. Until it wasn’t.
I Learned That My Fake Representative Wasn’t Bullet Proof!
One year after I graduated from law school I was unemployed. I didn’t graduate at the top of my class (or anywhere near it) or do law review or intern for a Law Firm. So I didn’t have the credentials to just waltz into a job like some of my classmates. I applied for a lot of jobs. One of them was a job with the Legal Aid Bureau.
I wanted to be an advocate for people who needed help getting public benefits like social security, public housing, and food stamps. My Fake Representative was prepared and ready for the job interview. I walked into the conference room and my heart skipped a beat – about 10 people were sitting there! The supervisor thanked me for my application to the Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) Unit and told me the whole unit was there to interview me!
Oh Snap! I didn’t apply for a job in the CINA Unit! Did I? OMG! I didn’t know what CINA was! But I was unemployed and needed a job, so I did the interview. The CINA Unit took turns asking me questions – some about my experience, and some about what I would do in hypothetical situations involving child health and welfare. My Fake Representative was completely useless! I had not prepared my FR for any of this so she left me. Damn! I was on my own. I didn’t have any direct experience so I answered the questions based on my own experiences, things I had seen or heard from others, and plain old common sense. During the interview, I felt like an idiot and went home feeling like a fraudster idiot.
I Kicked My Job Interview Fake Representative to the Curb!
My jaw was on the ground when I got the call telling me that I got the job! The Child Welfare Unit appreciated my authenticity, good instincts and common sense, emotional intelligence, and quick thinking! These are the skills and qualities that I could not rehearse with my Fake Representative. That’s because these skills and qualities make me who I am, and can’t be faked. I learned that I didn’t need my Fake Representative to go on interviews after all. My internal feelings of inadequacy made me feel like I was “lucky” to be at the table, and that’s how I behaved. In reality, I was equally as qualified as any other candidate and deserved a seat at the interview table.
Instead of relying on my Fake Representative to prove I was good enough for the job, I should have been focusing on identifying jobs that had values that aligned with mine. This lesson changed the way I interviewed for jobs. I focused my job search on positions in organizations that were more aligned with my values and personality. During the interview, I asked more questions focused on learning about the organization, and how the job fits into the organization. I also asked more questions about the person I would be working for and the culture of the office. I adjusted my approach to job interviews, and used the time to find out if they were a good fit for me! As I grew more comfortable and confident with who I was, I no longer needed my Fake Representative. Eventually, I left my Fake Representative at home for future job interviews.
Hang Up Your Fake Representative Super Suit!
The lesson of focusing on jobs with values that aligned with mine also translated to other areas of my life. Had I been sending in my Fake Representative to handle difficult situations and relationships? I had to evaluate whether I was acting a role, or whether I was being authentic. Was I doing things out of obligation or expectation using my FR, or was I doing things and being around people that made me happy? Sometimes it’s hard to tell, but I keep trying. I’m a work in progress. However, I use my Fake Representative less and less now and I am a happier person.
Now that I am a few years away from retirement, I hung up my Fake Representative job interview super suit! I plan to ride this job out until I retire. No more interviews for me! However, as I approach retirement, a funny thing is happening where I find myself reaching for my Fake Representative for another reason. The closer I get to retirement, the more I send her in to take my place at work. Do I think it will be a long day full of boring meetings listening to the same people talk about the same thing . . .blah, blah, blah? That sounds like a job for my Fake Representative! ?
Best Wishes on Your Success Journey!
