HOW TO BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
Making the decision to look for a new job is both a daunting and exciting decision to make. Job hunting isn’t a smooth sailing process, there can be many unexpected twists and turns in the process of finding a new job but getting the job that you love is so worth it.
It’s important to remember that rejections and radio silence after applications and long waits by the phone are part and parcel of the process, even if they don’t feel great at the time. You might find yourself wondering “why is it so hard to get a job?” and you’re not alone, everyone goes through rejection and radio silence in their job search. However, it’s vital to remember that everyone has to start somewhere, even the Beatles were turned down initially.
Because of the above, the job search process can really knock your confidence.
Here are our top tips to maintain your confidence:
Know what you want
Knowing what you want from your next job will help you to maintain focus during your job search. Decide what it is that you want from your next job, career progression, promotion or even to change career entirely. What salary do you want? Do you want full-time or part-time? Make sure that your answers to these questions are realistic so that you can narrow down your search and make sure you’re only looking at jobs that meet your criteria.
Having all of these in mind will help you when looking for what you want from your next job.
Be open to learning throughout the process
Every time you apply for a job, you have the opportunity to learn something new. Whether you get the job or not, every interview you attend is a chance to learn new and/or brush up on your interview skills. If you stumbled on a particularly tricky question, make sure you research this and have an answer prepared for if it comes up again in the future.
If you’re not selected for a job, make sure to ask for interview feedback. While not all employers will get back to you, those that do will be able to provide valuable insight into your strengths and weaknesses which you can work on for your next interview.
REMEMBER – view the feedback as constructive comments to find the lesson. Try not to take it personally and learn from the feedback.
Find what sets you apart
When people are going through CVs, they look for skills, training or hobbies that set you apart from pile. Consider this when writing and/or updating your CV.
Having up to date training in your relevant industry is also key to add to your CV. If you’re changing career and aren’t sure what training would be relevant, make sure to research this and sign yourself up to courses that are going to show you have skills to do the job.
Some skills, like being first aid trained or being able to drive, are valuable across lots of different industries and could give you a leg up on the competition.
If you are able to, volunteering is a way to strengthen your CV. Studies have also shown that doing something for others can benefit your mental health and help with feelings of happiness, motivation and concentration. It also might help you develop or refine skills that might support you on your job search.
While confidence during a job search ebbs and flows, the important thing to remember is what you bring to the table. Rejection is part of searching for your next job, how you dust yourself off and move onto the next application is key to maintaining confidence.
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