Cape Town - There is a currency to confidence. In many cases where candidates are applying for a job, it is the one who is more confident who manages to secure the interview.
They have accomplished the task of personal selling well, able to communicate their worth and point of distinction in their CV or written application. Once they have secured the interview, the confident candidate is more likely to cinch the position.
So how does one become more confident? Sometimes it is as simple as seeing yourself as others see you. We are naturally hard on ourselves, often focusing on our liabilities rather than our assets. How do you see yourself as others see you?
You ask them what they see. Sit with someone you know well in your school, university or workplace and ask them to describe you, warts and all! Listen to what they see and say. Take the negatives as an opportunity to work on these factors. Take the compliments and use them well.
If you are preparing for an interview, then write down a list of your attributes – your qualities and your competencies. You may be asked what your liabilities are. Be able to mention them, but also how you are addressing them and working on them to overcome any obstacles, eg “I am not overly confident, but I am currently attending a confidence-building course, or attending a public speaking course, or having brand coaching”.
If an interviewer can sense that you are not confident, they will automatically not feel confident about your abilities. It is your responsibility to feel good and look good so that someone else will feel the same way about you. However, no one wants to employ an arrogant individual!
I recently conducted a brand coaching session for a candidate who was applying for a job. She was highly intelligent, presentable and professional, yet shy. She has been applying for positions and not always getting an interview, but when she did, she struggled to show her worth through lack of confidence. By clearly defining her attributes and how she could add value to a company, by going through possible questions and preparing well for how best to answer them, she waxed it, and is now employed. Why? Because she is now seeing herself as others see her, and through the process, has gained confidence.
Become your best brand coach. Believe in yourself and then others will believe in you too.
* Jenny Handley is a brand, high performance and leadership specialist who offers individual consultations and team workshops. For more information visit www.jennyhandley.co.za. Follow Jenny on Twitter: Jenny_Handley
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