I wasn’t sure what they were looking for, but I was hoping I had impressed them. Even with limited knowledge of the company at that point, I knew that it was a phenomenal environment that I wanted to be a part of.

Then one of them asked “What are you most proud of in your life?”. I had never been asked that question before in my life.

Being generally modest about myself, I tend not to share much about accomplishments or successes. How can you be honest and proud with a complete stranger in an interview without sounding either like an arrogant piece of work or a sappy little girl? On the flip side, what if someone judged me on what I was proud of?

I racked my brain, secretly sweating on the inside. Then a calm came over me and I stopped. Why was I freaking out about what someone else was going to think about me? (putting aside that I was in an interview). So I shared about the first thing that came to mind that I truly was proud of – my relationship with my mother and how it changed over the years.

I vaguely remember their response after I shared, because I was blown away that I had never asked myself that same question. Achievement and goal setting had always been a part of my early education. Being honest with what I truly wanted out of life – and being proud of it! – was a little foreign. As I learned to follow what my heart wanted out of life, I realized that what attracted me to this work environment is the acceptance of following your dreams, no matter what they are.

Be honest. Be proud. Stand tall, and be yourself.