Can You Be Overly Authentic During Job Interviews or at Work?

I recently interviewed one of my favorite people in the world, Ali Feller, host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast. And one of the things we talked about was something I think about often: authenticity.

Ali has always shown up as her most genuine self whether it’s wearing outfits only she could pull off or being incredibly open with her audience about living with Crohn’s disease and, more recently, breast cancer.

I love this about her. And I imagine it's one of the reasons she landed her dream job so quickly after college and has built an audience of over 80,000 followers. She shows up exactly as she is. No glam squad, no curated aesthetic. Just her, with a huge smile and an even bigger heart.

Our conversation got me thinking: How much of our real selves should we bring to work or interviews? When someone says, “How are you?” do they want to hear “Good! Busy!” or would they actually welcome something a little more real? And during a job interview, where so much feels scripted, how much authenticity is too much?

Let’s talk about it.

How Authentic Should You Be?

In a recent episode of the Women at Work podcast from Harvard Business Review, the hosts dug into this exact question in an episode titled “What to Share, and What to Hold Back.” Their insight? Sharing bits of your daily life, culture, or hobbies can actually strengthen connection and trust.

According to their research, these personal glimpses help others “see a new side of you” and create “a nice connection.” That connection can be what makes you stand out in an interview or earn the trust of your team once you’re hired.

Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever

When my team and I are hiring, we always ask: “Would I want to share a long layover with this person?” Translation: Are they someone we’d want to spend time with as a human, not just a professional?

Technical skills matter, but people want to work with people they enjoy. And it’s hard to truly enjoy someone’s company if they’re holding back or pretending to be someone else.

Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or turning a job interview into a therapy session. It’s about being relatable. Being real. Being someone others can connect with.

5 Tips for Being Authentically You (Without Oversharing)

Lead with Warmth, Then Read the Room

Start with a smile, a moment of genuine energy, or a short story that reflects your personality. 

But also pay attention to the tone the interviewer sets. If they’re more formal, mirror that while still letting a little personality shine through.

Share Stories That Show, Not Just Tell

Instead of saying, “I’m a strong communicator,” try this:

“I have a Type A personality! During a campus organization project, I stepped in to organize our timeline and keep everyone focused. We ended up finishing early and presenting ahead of schedule.”

That’s authentic and memorable.

Sprinkle in the Personal (Strategically)

If you’re asked what motivates you, it’s fine to mention your love of solving puzzles, mentoring classmates, or hiking with your dog. Relevance matters, but so does being human.

Be Honest About What You’re Learning

You don’t need to pretend to have it all figured out. Instead of faking confidence, say something like:

“Leading meetings is new to me, but I’ve been volunteering to present more often, and I’m getting better with every try.”

That’s self-awareness, one of the highest forms of emotional intelligence, and it is exactly the type of thing an interviewer wants to hear. After all, curiosity beats credentials.

Keep Boundaries That Feel Right

Authenticity doesn’t mean sharing everything. You don’t have to talk about your breakup, your anxiety, or your family drama unless you genuinely want to and it feels appropriate. 

Keep your version of “real” aligned with your values and comfort level.

Final Thoughts

The best interviews and the strongest work relationships are built on trust. And trust starts with authenticity.

You don’t have to be loud or quirky or radically open to be real. You just have to show up as someone who knows their strengths, is honest about their growth, and is willing to connect.

Want more real-world career advice like this?

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