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I’m sure I wasn’t the only student to subscribe to the notion that a good degree would guarantee me a decent job. I’m also convinced that I wasn’t the only graduate left disappointed and demoralised when I was still unemployed one first-class degree, five interviews and numerous job applications later.
Looking back, the situation I found myself in shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise. Before I'd even started job hunting, my confidence had been completely shattered. Without confidence, how could I hope to sell myself in an interview? I recognised that, in order to succeed, it would be critical to find that lost confidence again, but where do you start? Once your self-esteem has disappeared, it can be sometimes difficult to get it back, but it is possible...
Step One: Ask for feedback
When you’ve just been informed that you didn’t get the job, the thought of asking why is a little unnerving. Nevertheless, what’s the point in using the same tactics over and over, understanding that they're not working, but not knowing how to improve? It’s far easier to get your confidence back when you’ve got specific points to work and focus on.
Step Two: Value the opinions of those who know you best
Once you’ve asked for feedback, keep it in perspective. Always keep in mind that a little constructive criticism about your interview performance may well help you to triumph next time and it's in no way a personal attack. Furthermore, listen to the compliments and encouragement of the people who know you best, and - more importantly - believe them.
Step Three: Don’t give up
This may be a lot easier said than done, but if you really want that dream job, you might have to learn not to take “no” for an answer. Just because you weren’t the exact fit for one job, doesn’t mean you won’t succeed elsewhere. Try to focus predominantly on what you can do next instead of on what went wrong.
Step Four: Gain experience
If you feel like you haven’t got enough to talk about in an interview, or you’ve been searching for work for a while, getting some voluntary experience can keep your skills up to date, and can boost your confidence once you see yourself thriving without the pressure of an interview. In my experience, volunteering has also had the added bonus of leading to some paid work. Just remember that there is a difference between gaining experience and working for free, so you don’t feel taken advantage of.
Step Five: Sell yourself
If you’re anything like me, the thought of talking about yourself in an interview is enough to make you cringe. Nonetheless, if you want the job, you’ve got to be able to talk about your accomplishments with at least a little confidence. Before the interview day, draw up a list of your skills and attributes, thinking about specific evidence you can mention that demonstrate these skills. Maybe go a step further and practise talking about these with a friend, or even in front of the mirror, to get used to explaining your achievements in enough detail.
Step Six: Switch off
When you’re faced with disappointing news and you’ve worked out where you went wrong, there’s no point dwelling on your mistakes for any longer than necessary. Similarly, if you’ve done everything that you can to be prepared for an interview, trying to over learn responses doesn’t often end well. Find something to take your mind off the job hunt and give yourself a break. Starting again feeling refreshed will do your self-esteem the world of good.
Searching for a job is so often a demoralising process, but sometimes all that’s standing between you and your dream job is a little confidence in yourself. After all, once you believe in yourself, it’s much easier for others to follow your lead.
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