Imposter syndrome. It’s a bigger problem than most people realize. One study found that seven out of 10 people might suffer from feelings of inferiority, especially as it relates to their careers.
Hopefully, you can avoid this sometimes-crippling worry. Instead, you should feel excited about where your career has taken you. At the same time, you should relish the opportunity to push your professional development forward.
However, it’s often tough to gather enough confidence to take a big swing and apply for your dream job. We often talk ourselves out of these opportunities — telling ourselves we’re not smart enough, experienced enough, or skilled enough to apply for that job.
Don’t believe it. You are smart enough and skilled enough. Here are a few techniques you can use to push your career forward with confidence:
Why You Are Smart Enough to Get that New Job
Focus on Your Successes
It’s easy to focus on your shortcomings. If you finished second in your class in high school, you’re likely to see yourself as failing in your goal of becoming valedictorian. But others likely won’t see it this way. They’ll be impressed by the hard work and dedication it took to attain the standing you accomplished.
Of course, most of us don’t even have a salutatorian position to brag about. But whatever the nature of your achievements, you need to think of them as the successes they are.
Don’t focus on places you failed to live up to your high expectations. Look at what you’ve done. View your experiences with a positive attitude and get pride from the strong performances you’ve logged.
Look at Yourself from an Employer’s Point of View
Sometimes, we are blind to our best qualities. Meanwhile, some attributes come so easily to us that we don’t even recognize their rarity. It takes an outsider to see the value these traits bring.
Say you’re a naturally organized person. It’s not something you think about — you just bring order to any chaos around you. It happens without you thinking about it much.
That talent has great value to an employer. However, you might not even think to discuss it or put it on a resume — it’s just part of who you are.
Consider yourself from a third-party perspective. Think about yourself the way an employer would. What stands out? Concentrate on these traits and understand that you bring more to the table than you probably realize.
Show Confidence (Even If You Don’t Always Feel It)
Theoretically, this could be summarized by the infamous phrase “fake it ’til you make it.” Given some recent scandals in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, this mantra has taken on a toxic connotation. Still, it does contain a nugget of truth.
No, you don’t want to actually “fake it” in the sense of lying or committing some sort of fraud. But you should remember that perception represents a key part of the hiring puzzle. Yes, you should be qualified for a position. But that doesn’t do you any good if a potential employer doesn’t perceive you as qualified.
Much of that comes from your demeanor. With a calm, confident attitude, you increase your chances of landing the position.
Let Hiring Execs Do Their Jobs
Ultimately, it’s not your job to fill this position. That task falls to the hiring staff working for your prospective employer. If they feel you are the right person for the role, who are you to argue?
Sometimes, you just have to trust the experts. They have the perspective to see potential in you that you can’t always perceive.
That’s what makes working with a recruiter such a beneficial boost to your career. A top staffing agency, like Recruiting In Motion, can identify your most marketable attributes and put you in a position to get the most out of your talent and experience.
Contact Recruiting In Motion today to find the perfect opportunity for you.
