Speaking up, standing out

The Risks and Rewards of Professional Transparency

The Catalyst

Recently, someone on LinkedIn commented on one of my posts:

“Don’t make things personal when it comes to a job. Dust yourself off from a rejection and move on to other opportunities. Perseverance and patience without bitterness go a long way in impressing people.”

The comment might have been well-meaning, but it misses the point. My posts are not about bitterness or taking rejection personally. They are about advocating for respect, transparency, and fairness in the hiring process

I have been unemployed for 13 months. About nine months into this journey, I lost patience, not with rejection, but with the lack of basic communication from employers. Weeks would go by without any response, even after multiple interviews. In some cases, I discovered I had been lied to. That is not acceptable in my world.

So, I made a choice. I stopped staying silent and decided to speak up.

Why I Chose Transparency

When you are in the middle of a job search, there is an unspoken rule. Do not rock the boat. Project confidence and stay positive, even when you are ghosted or misled. After months of this, I realized silence was not helping me or anyone else feeling the same way.

I chose a different approach. My posts are not just a way to share my experience. They are a deliberate demonstration of my leadership ability, marketing expertise, communication skills, and creativity. They are a portfolio. They are a job application. They are the best way to evaluate me as a candidate.

If an employer sees a willingness to speak up, have hard conversations, and communicate with honesty, transparency, and vulnerability as a liability, that is their loss, not mine. That is what leaders do. If my approach scares off 99 out of 100 employers, that is fine. I am looking for the one who sees it as an asset. I am looking for the one who is the perfect fit.

The Risks of Speaking Up

I have only received two negative comments on my viral post. One came from a recruiter, and the other from someone who told me to stop making things personal and move on quietly. Those two comments stand out because they are the exceptions.

The vast majority of responses have been supportive and have validated the value of transparency. However, I recognize the risks of speaking up.

Some people might see honesty as unprofessional or even bitter. Sharing struggles publicly can invite judgment. There is always a fear that speaking up might close doors.

Here is what I have learned. If a company views transparency and advocacy as dealbreakers, it is not the right culture for me. True leaders do not avoid difficult conversations. They address them with clarity, courage, and integrity.

The Rewards of Transparency

What I did not expect was the overwhelming response from others who felt seen and heard because of my posts. Former colleagues, strangers, and even hiring managers have reached out to say, “Thank you for saying what we are all thinking.”

That is the real reward of speaking up. It is not just about advocating for change. It is about building connections and showing others they are not alone in navigating a process that too often feels dehumanizing. By doing so, I have attracted people and organizations who value respect, courage, and honesty as much as I do.

Leadership in Action

In marketing, authenticity is what resonates. The same is true in leadership. Being honest about challenges does not make you weaker. It makes you relatable, trustworthy, and bold.

This is not just about my job search. It is about demonstrating leadership in real time. Leaders do not avoid difficult truths. They address them directly. They have the courage to say what needs to be said, even when it is uncomfortable.

Every post I write is an example of the kind of leader I am. It is a showcase of my ability to connect, communicate, and inspire action. If that does not resonate with some employers, that is okay. I am not trying to appeal to everyone. I am trying to find the one.

A Call to Action

Here is my challenge to anyone reading this. What values are you willing to stand by, even if they come with risks? How can we, as professionals, redefine what it means to be “professional” to include honesty and humanity?

The job market is hard, but staying silent about what is broken does not help anyone. If we want to see meaningful change, we need to start by having honest conversations, even when they are uncomfortable.

Closing Thoughts

For every rejection I have faced, I have learned this. Honesty is a filter, not a failure. If a company cannot value transparency and bold leadership, it is not the right fit for me. That is okay because the right opportunity will not just tolerate authenticity. It will thrive on it.