Overcoming job search fears.
I'm a fairly soft spoken person and sometimes I feel anxious about talking with people I don't know, especially in a job search situation. With each application I submit or interview I go on, I feel as though I am being judged. I want to make a good impression and really stand out, but I usually let my fears keep me from showing my best self.
Finding a job is tough and it's really easy to let the fear of success and failure hold us back. But how?
Here are 5 common job search fears and ways to just get over it:
- Being afraid to ask for help - This is a big one for me. I don't like to ask anyone for help, but honestly, you just can't do it alone. When you lose your job, take a moment to look at all of the things you have going for you. Think about the people you know, your friends and your family. Don't be afraid to let everyone know that you are looking for a job. One of the most common ways that people find jobs is by being referred by a friend or a friend of a friend.
- Being afraid of change - If you haven't had to look for a job in 5 years or more, the job search probably looks a whole lot different now. Learning about how to use technology and social networking to it's fullest in your job search is scary, but it is the best ways to find the right job. Being afraid to change or afraid of taking the dive and trying out sites like Twitter or Linkedin will hold you back. Just give it a try and ask people for help if you have trouble getting the hang of them. Practice being fearless, it's good for the soul.
- Being afraid of coming up short - You don't have to have the perfect cover letter or resume. Of course, it's good to have a great cover letter, but if you focus too much on being perfect, you'll never get started. And if you do, it will look forced. Remember that an employer isn't looking for a perfect employee, just the right one.
- Being afraid of not being good enough - Be realistic in your job search and only apply for the jobs you know you're qualified for. If you worry that you won't be able to do the job, make sure that it is just nerves, not a sincere lack of confidence on your part. If you don't believe that you can do the job, then maybe it isn't the right job for you.
- Being afraid of being pushy - For most well-mannered people, the idea of being pushy is so repellent that even making a follow up phone call is stressful. After an interview, sending a thank you note and following up in a reasonable manner is not only expected but it shows that you are a professional. Of course, don't call every day and forward chain emails to an interviewer, but always follow up on every job lead.
Do you share any of these fears? What other fears hold you back? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManufacturingWorkersBlog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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