Are you a Kate or a Katie?

How knowing your personality can help you find your next great job.

This guest post was written by Tim Tyrell-Smith, whose blog Spin Strategy is always filled with interesting and useful advice for job seekers and those looking to advance their careers. Thanks Tim!

During a drive to San Diego a few weeks back, I heard an interesting question on a radio station. The question from the DJ was:

Are you a Kate or a Katie?

The question came at the end of a segment so I didn't hear the original context.  Normally that would be frustrating for me.  In this case, however, it was such an interesting question that I let it go. 

The implication, regardless of how it was framed, is that being a Kate or a Katie suggests something about you.  That you and your supposed opposite are truly two different peas in the same pod.

Now we should probably step back a bit and remember that we don't name ourselves.  Our parents do.  And that name is usually chosen for you well in advance of your birth.  But, as with all kids, your unique personality defines your working name throughout your life.  

So when you arrived in this world, your parents lovingly placed the name Katherine on your birth certificate.  A few weeks, months or years later you became someone else by being you.  The inescapable you.  The way you smiled, played with your toys and played with others.  Did you play quietly by yourself or did you dance around, always needing a partner?  And then one day, Mom and Dad stopped calling you Katherine and began using a form of what you would eventually be called.  Kate or Katie.

Does this work for guys?  Absolutely.  Andrew vs. Andy.  Mike vs. Michael.  I don't see a big difference here.

As the segment ended on the radio, I started to think about practical uses for the question in job search.  Here are a few:

1. The dynamic of an interview and how, at times, we can be matched up with people who are just our opposite.  Kate meets Katie.  Or Katherine meets Andy.

2. How and when to let your personality come out within your resume or cover letter.  Also a question: If you are a Katie, why do you use Katherine on your resume?

3. At networking events, do you let the Katie out or do you wear a Katherine mask because that's what people expect to see at these functions.

4. If you are a Katie and you interview with a Michael (the hiring manager), should you become more Katherine-like to match his style?  What if he was really a Mike (or even a Mikey to his pals) and was just stuck in that "professional interviewer" mindset?

5. If you get an offer based on your skill and experience, how should you weigh any personality differences with your future boss?

Obviously there are a lot of other ways to extend this idea.  My goal here, though, is to get you thinking. Go back and review your materials and your typical style. How do you adapt? 

My opinion?  Be yourself.  You have to allow your true personality an outlet during the job search process.  Your personality does not need to take over the discussion, but it needs a role.  And you need to prepare for interviews and big decisions with an awareness of who you are, how you like to work and what environments allow you to be successful.  

For example, I have a friend who is a very social person.  He likes a lot of banter around the office and opportunities to grab a drink after work.  He accepted a job with a company where everyone showed up at 8:00AM, grabbed a coffee, walked in their office and shut the door.  Why did my friend take this job?  He has always coveted the industry and the role.  When offered the opportunity, he jumped at it.  Had he been a David, this might have been perfect for  him.  But he's a Dave leaning to Davey.

If you are a Kate and you play the role of Katie for a fun, outgoing and very social company, will you fit in long term?  Will you succeed despite the sacrifice of your true self?

So during the entire job search process, try to be aware of who you are.  Find ways, subtle if necessary, to let the real you appear in your resume, elevator speech, business cards and in your direct interactions with real people.  You will be memorable and interesting in a room where many others are wearing a disguise.

Then, when the job offer comes, you can rest easy knowing that they hired you . . . the real Kate (or Katie).

Comments

[Sabrina]

So true. We worked with an executive - very energetic and fun. His resume was extremely formal and businessy. His wife and others told him it needed to be that way. It wasn't him. We advised him that it would attract companies looking for the very business like person. His marketing documents needed to reflect the true "him" - it would repel the wrong companies and attract the right companies. A few weeks later he called with the good news - after the rewrite he received an offer from a company that fit his style like a glove. You should be happy with where you work - wearing a mask is hard (and no fun). Neither you or the company get the full benefit. Thanks for a great article. Sabrina

[Chandlee]

Hi Tim,

I'm going to take a wild guess that when you were young and in trouble...you may actually have been called "Timothy!"

Nice piece. I think you're absolutely right: In my opinion, job seekers who put their genuine personality forward during the search have a far better chance of finding the right fit in terms of workplace culture. The interview process can be analogous to speed dating with the goal of a fast wedding. In both, the time duration between the acquaintance and commitment making stage is finite and the cost of a mistake can be high.

I've enjoyed reading your posts on Secrets of the Job Hunt and am happy to see you again here on Career Hub.

All the Best,
Chandlee Bryan

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

@Sabrina - Yes, it sometimes feels wrong to let your personality out. We are all trained to be professionals, right? Thanks!

@Chandlee - I have been a Timothy, of course! Thanks for your comment. I have really enjoyed becoming a part of the community and appreciate your encouragement!

Also a big thanks to Louise for the opportunity to post here!

Tim

[Suresh]

Hi Tim,

Interesting observation- a Kate or a Katie? However, most jobs have their own requirements of the kind of most suitable personality. A librarian cannot be a chatter box, a customer service executive cannot afford to be an introvert, at least on job. So, as far as you can, match your true self with the kind of jobs you are applying and then there can be few discords, whatever you are called.

[Suresh]

Hi Tim,

Interesting observation- a Kate or a Katie? However, most jobs have their own requirements of the kind of most suitable personality. A librarian cannot be a chatter box, a customer service executive cannot afford to be an introvert, at least on job. So, as far as you can, match your true self with the kind of jobs you are applying and then there can be few discords, whatever you are called.

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

@Suresh - You are right that certain jobs can provide a better home for specific personalities. Although I think there is a risk of stereotyping here - I know a few very outgoing and a proactive librarians! Thanks for adding your thought.

[Christine]

Tim, I am a Chrissy to my family, Chris to people who knew me before marriage and Christine to everyone who has met me after marriage. Reason? My family add's a Y to every name. When I got marrried my sister in law commentede "Chris Smith, sounds like you are lisping Christmas." Sometimes, they really are after you.

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

@Christine - Yes, you need to be careful! Great example . . . so I'd be Timmy? :-)

[Dan Erwin, PhD]

Seems terrifically important to let our real personality show in the resume. At the same time, we need to adjust that resume so that it fits the organizational strategy of the firm on which we're focusing. That's a very difficult fine line to manage in a resume--and admittedly very important.

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

Hey Dan - Yes, good point. Need lots of objective eyes during that part of the process.

[elizabeth]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for the interesting take on the name. Those descriptors are more important than we realize. As an HR executive I look look at resumes every day, and if I select one for a call or an e-mail, I do wonder if I should use a shortened version of a formal name, because I want to send a warm and friendly signal, but I always stop myself. Why? Because I think we have - and should have different personalities depending on the situation and I don't want to presume a familiarity until I am invited to do so. It also gives an opening for engagement with that other person during the initial contact.

As a young girl, I was stuck with the nickname Betty Jane, in that time honored two-name southern tradition. It wasn't me, and it literally made me uncomfortable. I cringed every single time I heard my name. By college it had morphed into BJ and I still answer to that with old friends. To my nephews I was, and still am Aunt Beeeeeeeeeeeee. After a divorce and changes in my sir name and career, it was time to begin anew and reconstruct what really resonated with me. No doubt it was all part of the angst of figuring out who I was. It's been Elizabeth ever since and it suits me well. When someone calls my office and asks for Liz, I know it's not someone who knows me, because I am definitely not a Liz.

By nature, I've always been a formal serious person, but I do have a sense of humor that I allow out more frequently now than I used to. So that executive demeanor has softened as I've gotten older, and Eliza has emerged, serving as a comfortable twin in my consulting practice and weblog, where I am learning that I don't have to be so serious all the time.

What we are called is important. As our lives evolve, I like the different roles that name-derivations allow and I encourage others to explore those interesting options too. Who knows what fascinating people are lurking beneath the surface of Ralphs, Winthrops and Sybils.

Thanks, Eliza

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

Hi Eliza -

There are some very interesting stereotypes that come with names. Some are influenced by movie or book characters, some by cultural history and some by people that I grew up with (my own biggest influence). In my work career, once I knew a Ralph he became my reference replacing any stereotype I had in my mind. Thanks for continuing this fun discussion!

[Kathryn R]

I'll never forget my first job out of college (a major bank in Atlanta) and the orientation. Going around the table in the conference room, each one of us introduced ourselves. Even though I had a college degree in Economics, I was not one of the super-star hires (ie the mgt trainees). However, I shared names with one of these hires but with a major difference - I was "Kathy" and she was "Katherine". The proverbial penny "dropped" for me when I realized the attitudes from the HR staff differed according to our status! However, a lesson stayed with me - the importance of treating everyone equally and with respect!

Later in my career (after divorce/2nd marriage), I legally changed my name from Kathy to Kathryn, which I use professionally (my friends call me Kat). Occasionally, a "sales" type will insist on shortening my introduction to Kathy. I simply smile and correct the person....I know who I am (and it is not a Kathy)!

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

Hi Kathryn! I am always amazed at how often our names get butchered - even by people who should know better! My other pet peave? When I get introduced with the wrong title. Now I am not an ego driven person, but I've worked hard to get where I am! As a Vice President of Marketing, I'm tired of being introduced as the Director or (gulp) the manager by others. . . :-) Good stuff! Thanks for commenting!

[Tom]

As a recruiter, I can tell you that most interviewers want to speak to Kate. In the workplace however, either may be appropriate and it depends on the environment.

As for me, I gave up the Tommy long ago as a transition from being a kid to a man. When friends try to call me Tommy, I correct them once or twice and after that I stop listening. (I never liked Thomas because that was the name used whenever I was in trouble as a kid!)

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

Hi Tom - Thanks for your comment. Too formal and too casual often don't work, I agree. You have to know if and when it is OK to let the world see your Tommy side, if ever!