I N T E G R I T Y

What noun is a four-syllable word with nine letters, starts with "i" and ends in "y"? While there might be other words to answer that question, the specific word I have in mind is integrity. The dictionary defines integrity as:

1. adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; 2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished...

What does integrity mean to you? And more specifically, what does it mean to you as it relates to you and your job search? A client was discussing what was important to him in a job and he said that first and foremost, he looked for integrity in individuals and in the organization. When I think of conducting a job search with integrity, many thoughts come to mind:

Integrity in representing yourself to others, be it employers (past, present, or potential), colleagues, clients and/or your network connections.

N o lies; no lying; and not getting known as a name-dropper. Do you want to be remembered as the candidate who dropped names or the candidate with the best requisite skills to do the job?

Truth and honesty in your employment communications, interactions, and exchanges via e-mail, resumes, cover letters, applications, interviews, telephone calls, social media communications and face-to-face networking. I like Mark Twain's words:

if you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

E thical behavior and consistently high standards of professionalism in your actions, words, and deeds, both online and offline.

Giving because it's a good thing, not because you may get something in return.

Respect for others, for self, and for playing by the rules.

I nvested in helping organizations and individuals succeed in multiple ways by solving problems, cutting costs, increasing profits, improving efficiencies and productivity, gaining market share, expanding brand awareness, delivering desired results, and/or outperforming the competition.

T rusted; you can be counted on without condition, restriction, or financial gain, no matter what, day-in-day-out, 24/7.

Y ou either have it, or you don't. You get one shot to make good on your word; you make a promise and you keep it -- it's that simple.

What does integrity mean to you? How do you integrate integrity into your job search?

cross-posted at billie sucher weblog

Comments

[the career guy]

I-N-T-E-G-R-T-Y... nice!

[Craig]

HI Billie.
While the others are very cool and critical, T#2....rusted is the driver for me. You know where I'm coming from, and have a pretty good idea where I'm going, because I am consistent over time and you are familiar with my modus operandi.
You know you can trust me and count on me because of the above, but you feel a huge comfort zone (trust again) in what I am doing, as my course of action is based on taking all those other letters into consideration and bringing them to life.
That is tough to do too!

Weigh in....which letter is the toughest to deliver on? Why? (I need to think about that one for a bit!)

[Eric Sohn]

You know you gave us a challenge - how about "illegibly"?

[billiesucher]

Career Guy, thank you!:)
- Billie

[billiesucher]

Craig, your thoughts about trust reminded me of a Zig Ziglar quote:

"If people like you, they'll listen to you, but if they trust you, they'll do business with you." Thank you for your comments.
- Billie

[billiesucher]

Eric....how about "ingenuity"? And thanks for reading Career Hub!
- Billie

[Paul]

Good post Billie - this is an often overlooked and forgotten about quality that is determinant of whether or not, and sometimes how quickly - you will land a job. Recruiters (most of them, anyway) are very keen on spotting this character defect and believe me - without you're chances sink exponentially. Thanks for the post, and take care everyone.

[Yvonne]

Love it! Thank you.
Yvonne

[Scott Woodard]

Hi Billie, Nice post. However, I've always been amazed at clients and colleagues who will use their sense of integrity in a seemingly self destructive way. For example, "I didn't like the way my boss did business, so I called her on it and she fired me." There's an old adage in politics (I know, probably NOT the best example of integrity space) that goes "Where you stand depends on where you sit." One may not agree with the boss' business practices, but does that mean she's not operating from a place of integrity? Does operating from a place of integrity mean that one has permission to be completely honest, with no filters?

Your mnemonic is clever, but I'd argue that it's how integirty is applied in its whole form that really matters.

~ Scott

[billiesucher]

Paul -- when my client brought up the subject of integrity the other day, I decided it could be a good topic to write about. Thanks for your thoughts.
- Billie

Yvonne - thank you!:)
- Billie

Scott - well stated and I appreciate your pointing out another perspective.
- Billie

[Sue]

I like your bullet points on INTEGRITY.

[billiesucher]

Sue, thank you! I had fun thinking of them!:)
- Billie

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