Imagine ... you’re a hiring manager, sitting at your desk after a long day, sifting through a pile of CVs and cover letters. They all begin to blur into one another—education, experience, skills, achievements. All important, yes, but something’s missing. You think to yourself, What would it actually be like to work with this person? And just as you’re about to call it a day, you open one last application. Along with the usual documents, there’s a third attachment. A simple note, titled: “What It’s Like to Work With Me.” Intrigued, you read on.
A New Layer of Authenticity
Adding a personal note to your job application that outlines what it’s like to work with you—and what you value in a workplace—is a bold, yet increasingly relevant step in today’s world of work. It’s a chance to cut through the formality and say, “Here’s who I am beyond the bullet points. If we’re going to collaborate, here’s what you should know.”
We’re talking about a genuine, conversational note that reflects your core values, work style, and non-negotiables. Think of it as the emotional and ethical handshake before the formal one.
Why bother? Because your CV says what you can do. Your cover letter says why you want to do it. But this additional note? It says who you are when you’re doing it.
Let’s break it down with real-life examples from four very different job sectors: tech, education, healthcare, and creative industries.
1. The Software Engineer
The Role: Backend Developer at a mid-sized tech firm.
Your Note Might Say:
"I take pride in writing clean, maintainable code—not just to make my life easier, but so anyone who picks it up after me doesn’t hate me (or my logic). I value open communication, regular feedback, and a culture of knowledge-sharing rather than knowledge-hoarding. I’m not one for performative late nights; I’d rather we all worked smart, not endlessly. If you have daily stand-ups, peer reviews, and a culture of respectful challenge, we’ll get on well. Micromanagement is a dealbreaker for me—I thrive with autonomy, accountability, and clarity of direction."
Six Things to Know About Me as Your Engineer:
I always document my code for future teams.
I give and welcome constructive feedback, regularly.
I champion inclusive, respectful code reviews.
I’m happy to mentor juniors but won’t tolerate arrogance from seniors.
I work best in async-friendly teams with clear expectations.
If deadlines become unrealistic, I’ll raise it early—because I care about quality.
Benefit to the Employer: They know upfront you’re not the type to cut corners or be a lone wolf. If their culture rewards constant “hustle” over clarity and quality, they’ll know it’s not the right match—and that’s a win for both sides.
2. The Primary School Teacher
The Role: KS2 Classroom Teacher in a state primary school.
Your Note Might Say:
"My classroom is a space of structure, warmth, and high expectations—for learning and behaviour. I don’t raise my voice. I lead with consistency and compassion, and I build strong relationships with families because it takes a village. I won’t work in an environment that normalises shouting, chaotic leadership, or performative Ofsted panic. I work best in teams where we lift each other up, not burn each other out."
Six Things to Know About Me as Your Teacher:
I prep thoroughly—my lessons are calm, purposeful, and planned.
I believe in restorative justice, not punishments for punishment’s sake.
I’m a team player—I’ll share my resources and support NQTs.
I don’t believe in toxic positivity. I name issues kindly but firmly.
I use humour and empathy to build rapport with children and colleagues.
I protect my boundaries and model work-life balance.
Benefit to the Employer: If the school has a blame culture or reactive leadership, they’ll know upfront that you won’t thrive there. But if they value calm, competent, collaborative teachers—they’ll know you’re a gem.
3. The Nurse
The Role: Staff Nurse in an NHS hospital ward.
Your Note Might Say:
"I believe patient care starts with how we treat each other as colleagues. I’m meticulous with handovers, I’m quick to offer help, and I don’t leave messes for others. I don’t tolerate bullying disguised as banter. I speak up for safety, always. My non-negotiables are respect, teamwork, and honest communication—even on tough shifts. If your ward has cliques or silence around unsafe practices, I’m not your person. But if you’re a team that pulls together and protects each other, I’ll give you my all."
Six Things to Know About Me as Your Nurse:
I’m punctual, prepared, and calm under pressure.
I prioritise patient dignity—even when time is tight.
I debrief with colleagues after hard cases—it matters.
I handle conflict professionally and directly.
I don’t gossip. It poisons teams.
I respect every role—cleaners, HCAs, doctors alike.
Benefit to the Employer: This tells the ward manager you’re a culture-setter, not just a skillset-haver. If they’ve had staff clashes before, your proactive note is gold dust.
4. The Freelance Graphic Designer
The Role: Freelance visual designer working remotely with a marketing agency.
Your Note Might Say:
"I love taking a messy brief and bringing it to life—visually, strategically, emotionally. I thrive on collaborative feedback and am used to juggling multiple clients. But clarity is crucial. I don’t do vague timelines or ‘quick tweaks’ that turn into unpaid redesigns. I work best with partners who respect creative process and don’t expect 24/7 availability. My non-negotiables? Fair pay, clear scope, mutual respect."
Six Things to Know About Me as Your Designer:
I communicate clearly about timelines and deliverables.
I welcome feedback—but with structure, not chaos.
I invoice on time—and expect the same in return.
I value clients who trust creative autonomy.
I protect creative energy by setting clear working hours.
I approach every brief with curiosity, not ego.
Benefit to the Employer: You help them understand how to successfully work with you. If they’re the type to treat creatives like vending machines, they’ll know you’re not the right fit. But if they’re a process-oriented, respectful agency—you’ll thrive together.
Why Add This Third Document?
Here’s the heart of the matter. This short, candid note saves time, builds trust, and helps filter out mismatches before you waste energy, effort—or worse, sign on to something misaligned.
Benefits:
Avoid Cultural Misalignment: If your values and theirs don’t align, better to know now.
Set Expectations Early: You outline your boundaries without waiting for onboarding.
Stand Out Authentically: While others try to impress, you aim to connect.
Encourage Two-Way Transparency: You signal, “I’ll be honest with you—I hope you’ll do the same.”
Reduce Future Conflicts: Misunderstandings about working styles, hours, or feedback loops are preemptively addressed.
Empower Respectful Declines: You give hiring managers permission to say, “Actually, this isn’t a match”—and that’s okay.
How to Write Your Own “What It’s Like to Work With Me” Note
Keep it to half a page—that’s plenty. Use a conversational tone. Be honest, even gently assertive. Focus on values, not just personality. Here’s a simple structure you can follow:
Start with a statement of intent (e.g. “Here’s what I value in a team…”)
List a few non-negotiables (e.g. respect, autonomy, feedback)
Offer a few working style preferences (e.g. how you communicate, how you handle pressure)
End with a note of partnership (e.g. “If these things resonate with you, I’d love to connect.”)
Final Thoughts
Adding a “What It’s Like to Work With Me” note won’t be for everyone. It takes courage to be that open—and clarity to know your boundaries. But in a noisy, competitive job market, the most refreshing voice is often the most real one.
Because at the end of the day, careers aren’t just about roles. They’re about relationships. And the best ones start with honesty.
So next time you hit “send” on your CV and cover letter, consider slipping in that third page. A small note that answers a question every employer secretly wants to ask:
“What will it really be like to work with you?”
Let them know.
If you know someone who might find this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself—please share it.
You never know how much of a difference it could make in someone’s life.
Liked what you read? I'd appreciate if you bought me a coffee - it encourages me to keep writing helpful articles like this one. Just click the link below to send a small tip my way. It's quick and secure! Thank you very much!
Comments
Post a Comment