“Be the Best You Can Be” was the tag line for a highly effective Army recruiting campaign in the 2000s. The kicker:  “We do more before 9 AM than most people do all day.”

Today a respected colleague and a former Army officer navigating the rapidly changing job market said he was refocusing his job search to ensure that he was putting his best foot forward.  

My friend explained he wants to be sure potential employers see his best authentic self. 

His experience and accomplishments afford him the flexibility to be credible for various leadership positions. Still, he realized that with all emphasis on machine decision-making, the focus on keywords and phrases, and the importance of tailoring your message to meet the client’s expectations, your authentic self could get lost in the hunt.

Smart man.  Don’t let technology distort your best, authentic self.