Build Instant Confidence
Being gutsy and putting yourself out there can be a scary thought. The self-confidence you need to take a risk often comes with age and experience, but it’s never too early to start taking baby steps. These tricks will give you a boost so you can boldly go after that dream job.
Psych yourself up.
Before an important interview or phone call play your favorite upbeat song to pump you up. Sing along loudly and get energized.
Make a Top 10 list.
Create a list of your top ten favorite accomplishments—maybe it’s the time you scored the winning goal for your team or the time you organized a successful walk for charity. Write them all down and carry them in your purse. Take them out and read them when you need a reminder of how talented and amazing you are!
Stand up straight.
Your mom always told you not to slouch and she was right! Try the Miss America trick—practice walking around with a book on your head. When you stand up straight and look people in the eye, it creates an immediate sense of maturity and confidence.
Accept compliments proudly.
We sometimes have a tendency to negate a compliment. If someone says you did a great job on a project, you might say you could have done better if only you had more time. Don’t put yourself down—the next time someone showers you with praise, smile proudly and accept it with enthusiasm and thanks.
Fake it until you make it!
You are smart, successful, and fabulous, so start acting that way. Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, the more you fake it, the more you’ll start to feel it and soon everyone around you will too.
Be Gutsy!
January 2010
Today’s tough economy is not for the timid. In order to stand out in the competitive crowd sometimes you have to try something a little different. These bold ideas will help you get the word out and your foot in the door.
Make it a special delivery.
Consider spending a few bucks to ship your resume and cover letter via Fed Ex or UPS, especially for those dream jobs you have to have. We spoke with a job seeker who tried this tactic and got a phone call from a company V.I.P. one day later! Packaging your application in this way creates a sense of importance and urgency—everyone opens an overnight delivery, but not everyone gets to that pile of snail mail or the two hundred emails in their inbox.
Wear it and share it.
The latest trend in job hunting? Resume t-shirts! Print your resume or cover letter on a tee, wear it around town, and you’ll attract major attention. You never know who might be standing behind you in line at Starbucks looking for an eager new employee! Customize a tee with your info at www.resumeshirts.com.
Go all out online.
Social media is the perfect platform if you use it creatively—tweet about your job skills on Twitter, start a blog about your search, or create a group or fan page on FaceBook and call it Help (Your Name Here) Get a Job! If you’re very tech-savvy, develop a website that features your resume or make a YouTube video showing off your skills. Just remember to keep these professional and use them as a companion to a standard resume, not as the only thing you send.
Say thank you with a twist.
Everyone knows you need to send a thank you note after a job interview, but what about sending one after you get turned down for a job? Once you get the news, follow up with a handwritten note to thank the interviewer for taking the time to consider you. Be sincere and polite and they’ll remember your mature attitude---two job seekers we talked to used this trick and sure enough they were called back and hired a few months later.
Dress for success.
Another job seeker we polled was rewarded for her gutsy fashion choice. When a large consulting firm held a networking reception to meet potential candidates, she showed up in a bold, yet professional, coral pink suit. In the sea of girls dressed in black and grey she stood out. When she interviewed with the company shortly after, her interviewer immediately recognized her, impressed that she dressed with personality. Two days later, she got the job! Take note and dare to wear one statement accessory, a bright color, or something unique that will get you noticed—in a good way!
Create a smart calling card.
Once you’ve got your foot in the door make sure they’ll remember you after the interview. Be prepared to leave behind a creative calling card along with the copy of your resume. Tailor it to the industry you’re in: Want to be an editor? Mock up a magazine cover using your credentials as the cover-lines. Going into landscape architecture? Hand out a packet of seeds with a customized label that has all your info. Get it? Keep it small, but make it smart.