by Brad McNally, Head Editor, INALJ Ohio
The importance of confidence in a job search
(or, how I changed my job search by changing my outlook)
I’ve been to many interviews and talked to a large number of potential employers during the last job search I completed. I noticed a strong change at one point along the way, and looking back, it makes a lot of sense.
When I finished my MLS I was working in a library and enjoyed a large part of the work I did there. Things were going well. I still kept an eye on job postings, because I would have liked to move upward, but I was having a good time putting on programs and working with children in that community. As I applied for jobs, I found that I often submitted my resume and information with one thought, “Hey, it would be nice, but they probably won’t ever even call.”
As time went on, I applied for a few jobs here and there but never got very far past a phone interview. I was discouraged. Out of the blue, I received a call for a phone interview with a large company that works with libraries. I thought it went great, but I hung up knowing that I wouldn’t hear back. Sure, I was hopeful, but deep down I knew. A funny thing happened though – I had learned a lot from the conversation, especially about myself and my professional plans. The manager pointed out that she noticed I seemed excited when I talked about my work with communities, and with young people, and wondered why I’d prefer a corporate type position anyways. She made good points.
From there, my interview skills got better and better.
It wasn’t because I was actually doing anything different, but I made a strong change in my attitude. The important thing to remember is this: if you have trained to go into a career, applied for the position you want, and even made it to the parking lot on the way to the interview, you need to tell yourself one thing. “I deserve this.” That was the change. It sounds selfish, but it is a nice positive affirmation that made all the difference in the way I presented myself, which helped me move forward into the place I am today.
I was recently told that the things we believe shape our reality. Find the job you want and that is right for you, and go for it. I’ve been told to believe in myself before, and in many ways it was nothing new, but I stopped viewing the job interview as a big scary thing that was coming and started viewing it as a way to show off that I was the best at what I do. It made all the difference.
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