You may be outgoing and friendly in social situations, but those characteristics don’t always translate well in the workplace. Everyone has painful bouts of self-doubt — it’s simply human nature. Fortunately, there are a number of everyday tricks that can help to boost your confidence and land you that job or promotion.
“A change in working environment or practice, a new job, a new boss, even personal circumstances — these are all factors that can impact our confidence on the job,” explains Hays NSW recruitment director, Jane McNeill. “It isn’t restricted or more or less common to any level or industry; it can happen to anyone.”
McNeill may have been in the recruitment business for over 25 years, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t struggled with her own confidence issues.
“When I was younger I wasn’t so confident when meeting people,” McNeill admits, “But I have learnt to build trust through communication. Recruitment is a people business, so I had to overcome that pretty quickly as I was meeting a lot of people every day.”
It’s common for even the most experienced person to feel a lack of confidence at work sometimes but, over a period of time, insecurities and nervousness can have an impact on your career.
Landing the role
There are few people out there who profess to loving a job interview. The perennial conundrum remains the question of how to sell yourself without appearing arrogant or pushy?
When it comes to job interviews and selling yourself to potential employers, it really is a question of balance, says McNeill. “You want to come across as knowledgeable and confident, but not stubborn or confrontational.”
McNeill’s interview tips to win the role
Highlight one or two unique selling points to differentiate yourself. “For example, were you one of the highest achievers in your university degree? Have you improved customer retention levels or led a project successfully? Make sure you have relevant examples and statistics at your fingertips.”
Be careful to answer questions directly and thoroughly, as well as give anecdotes about your career history, past actions and results. You should always directly relate these experiences to the job description.
Ask insightful questions like: “What prospects are there for personal and professional development?” or “what skills and attributes do successful people at your company usually have?” A useful tactic at the end of the interview is to ask: “How do you think I match up with this position?”
Listen — it’s is the most important thing you can do in a job interview. Getting confirmation that you are on the right track, even if you don’t get the job, is a great confidence booster.
Advancing your career
So you’ve got your dream job — how do you impress your boss and colleagues when you’re feeling out of your element? McNeill suggests practicing these three simple techniques which over time can make the world of difference to your performance:
1. Focus on the positives
“Try to focus on your skills and talents as much as possible,” McNeill says. “Make a list of all your good qualities and don’t dwell on what you perceive as your weaknesses. Building self esteem is about finding out what your strengths are and then developing and building on them. Sometimes, finding a mentor, either within or outside your organisation, can be really helpful in giving you a broader perspective on both your qualities and career.”
2. Stand up and be counted
“When you do something well or achieve something, acknowledge it and give yourself praise, even if is just a small achievement,” McNeill suggests. “Also, make sure that your boss knows about any good work that you’ve done.”
3. Act with confidence
McNeill’s last word of advice is to be aware of the way you present yourself to others, and the signals that your body language is sending out. “Think about your posture. Stand up straight, and when you move around a room, move with purpose.”
For more information, check out Seek’s job interview tips.
Read more: Making a mid-life career change
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