I’ve seen many candidates oversell or exaggerate their experience, even during my initial prescreen calls to determine if they’re suitable for a role. Now, don’t get me wrong — over the years, I’ve honed my ability to uncover the full picture and dig deeper into a candidate’s background. But I’m not perfect, and occasionally, one slips through the net. What I am meaning to emphasise today is this: lying, being evasive, or overselling your experience will ultimately harm your personal brand in the market.

Let’s address this the right way.

The fine line between embellishment and lying

In my previous article, I spoke about not going into too much detail in a first interview unless asked, to avoid what I call “death by passion.” But there’s another line to be aware of: the difference between sharing relevant detail and outright lying or overselling.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that trust is the cornerstone of any situation, relationship, or introduction.

For instance, if you claim to have led a project when you actually only assisted in a supporting role, it’s far better to be upfront about this. You might be surprised at how positively it’s received. But if you overstate your role and the interviewer discovers the truth, that becomes a red flag.

Job titles have become inflated in recent years, so it’s important to stay grounded about where you are in your career. This honesty allows your career to grow at a sustainable and fulfilling pace.

How to present weaknesses without harming your personal brand

I used to advocate for scrapping the classic interview question, “Tell me about your weaknesses.” But a conversation with an HR manager convinced me otherwise. Sharing your weaknesses in a clear, considered way that doesn’t undermine your experience can actually be a powerful move. It demonstrates self-awareness and shows potential employers how they can support and develop you. After all, everyone needs support and development, no matter their level.

Let’s revisit the earlier example of the project manager who only assisted on projects. Here’s how they could better articulate their role:

“In my current position, I’ve supported a project manager in delivering projects valued at up to X. This role has given me a strong foundation in project management by allowing me to shadow a respected industry professional. I’m excited to deepen these skills as I work towards becoming a project manager myself. While I haven’t yet led projects independently, I’ve developed the skills, knowledge and experience to do so, and I’m confident I can hit the ground running.”

How to sell yourself authentically

A established method with many senior managers I work with is the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. This approach is tailored to truthfulness and clarity, using specific examples aligned with your actual experience.

Let me be clear — I’m sharing this method with you because it’s something I’ve seen work time and time again. One of my favourite techniques is to back up your achievements with statistics. Numbers provide credibility and help illustrate the impact of your work.

Sign Off

Think about any public figure, influencer, or industry leader you admire. Why do you follow them? Most likely, it’s because you’re drawn to their authenticity, story, and unique perspective.

The same principle applies to your career. Be humble about where you are, and don’t oversell or exaggerate your experience or skills.

This is how real growth happens.