Build Your Confidence for That Next Job

Build Your Confidence for That Next Job

Build your confidence for that next job

All of us are confident in certain situations or certain roles in our lives. However, there are probably situations where we do not feel so sure of ourselves. For example, you may feel particularly confident when dealing with aggressive people but face some challenges when dealing with someone in tears, or you may feel supremely confident about managing your family but not so self-assured when it comes to your team. If we can develop our confidence more in all situations, then we can be more effective when we are taking action. We will also be able to build our confidence for that next job interview.

Is this you?

Self-confident people are positive, self-assured, assertive, calm, and relaxed. When you are self-confident, you are not trying to be someone else. You are happy with yourself; you don’t have to try to be someone you’re not. You know exactly what you have to offer and have the ability to bring your best to any situation in which you find yourself.

Most of us are still learning and growing so have the capacity for further self-development. Everyone has a ‘comfort zone’; the situations in which they feel confident and believe in their ability to handle whatever comes along. Self-confidence develops when we enlarge this comfort zone by taking on and meeting challenges.

Every challenge is an opportunity for personal growth. Appropriate challenges stretch our comfort zones but are not overwhelmingly daunting. The method most of us use is the following: we start from a lack of confidence, we practise something new, gain experience, and step by step achieve a level of confidence. Becoming a public speaker or a confident user of new technology are examples of this process in action. If you are working in a company, the encouragement from your manager can be a great asset in this process, as is being given opportunities to practise new skills without inappropriate risk and, in addition, being coached throughout the ‘learning cycle’ so you get the best out of the experience.

How can you build your confidence?

If you are aiming for promotion or looking to find a new opportunity for your skills and talents, then here are some pointers to help build your confidence:

Make lists of your skills and experience to date. You’ll be amazed when you see everything written down.

Write down 5 examples from your past or present role when you rose to the challenge and successfully handled a difficult situation. These could be situations with customers, colleagues (or your manager). They could also be from outside work.

Think of what makes you a real asset to your organisation. Is it your reliability, your innovation, your leadership skills? Write down what you have discovered. These attributes will be good ‘selling points’ at your next interview or promotion board.