A common piece of advice given to those setting out on a job search is to "just be yourself." It sounds nice and sweet and it's usually intended to ease the nerves of the inquirer, but when it comes to the actual application and interview process, this advice could lead many promising candidates down a disappointing path. Admittedly, this is kind of a semantical thing that depends on context. If I say "be yourself" to a seasoned professional the implication is different than if I said the same thing to a new graduate. Here the focus is on the negative potential of such advise.

In a Harvard Business Review essay, contributing editor Amy Gallo quotes career strategist and author John Lees, writing, "Lees calls the 'be yourself' advice 'demonstrably untrue.' He says, 'It's a trained improvised performance where you're trying to present the best version of you.'"

An application process is a time to present your best professional self. This is a mixture of your unique personality, your marketable skills, and your professionalism. These three are important. Firstly, people want to relate to an actual person. Sure, you can be a talented jerk, but a company would be better off with a robot. Your personality tells an employer how relatable you are; this is key. Secondly, if you can't do the job, you probably won't get the job — these are your marketable skills. And lastly, professionalism is crucial in a job search. Professionalism, in this instance, has to do with conduct, its the qualities you exhibit in the execution of your professional work.

"Just be yourself" often suggests a total focus on personality, but in the professional world, there is much more to your relationships than how funny you can be. Your new employer isn't looking for a friend, but rather a relatable person who can contribute to the vision and mission of their organization. So, in the end, you should "just be your best professional self."