What does grade school math have to do with the act of job hunting? For me, it was about building my confidence, and in short, simply getting out of my own way. Here are some things I learned that that helped me find success.
- Be a learner. I’m just OK at math. But as a kid, I admit, it was my worst subject. I was bad — objectively bad. I spent hours frustrated at not being able to grasp, recall, and apply new math principles, and I was almost in college when I discovered the cause of my deficiency: lack of confidence. Thankfully, this changed when I had some positive learning experiences and was able to develop the confidence I needed to be successful, and it continued to build, leading to success in other areas as well. Being a learner gives you permission to make mistakes and allows you to grow.
- Be genuine. There will likely always be people more skilled than you at certain things, have more experience than you, and be better connected, but their success doesn’t diminish YOUR value. There’s a hiring manager or client looking for someone with your specific combination of skills and experience. Lean into what makes you, you. And I know this is a hot take, but the “fake it until you make it” strategy just doesn’t work in the long run. People who aren’t open about their struggles or what they know and what they don’t, often compensate for their insecurity in unproductive ways, making them ineffective co-workers and bad bosses. Be you — but even better — an evolving, learning, improving version of you.
- Find jobs that fit you the best. If you’re spending hours applying for jobs and not getting any responses, try being more selective. I know lowering your application count may seem counterintuitive, but companies are being really selective as well. Dedicate a portion of your efforts to searching for jobs that are a great match for you, both in terms of how they can further your career goals and how your skills and abilities fit their profile of the ideal candidate. Plus, if you’re excited about a job, that excitement and enthusiasm comes across. Hiring managers can tell if you’re not into it.
- Be vulnerable. One reason we avoid doing things is because of fear what might happen. This post from Chris Donnelly is one of my recent favorites, and summed up how to best deal with fear. Don’t let it hold you back.
- Build your team. Include family, friends, and associates in your circle. Tell them how you’re doing and share you successes and struggles. I’ve found talking about my search is helpful. Plus, they might know about potential job opportunities.
Whether you’re out of the job, or contemplating a change, I wish you the best of luck!
