We all have voices in our heads that tell us stuff we don’t want to hear. Why do we listen to these voices? They are holding you back. I know they hold me back. There is a connectivity between emotion and reason so what will you do to decrease that and unlock your true potential? Here are some areas of job search where we get stuck listening to the voices in our heads!
To Apply for a Job or Not- That is the Question
As you scour the job boards, you inevitably encounter jobs that sound great, up until you see a requirement you are missing. Screech! Crash! Ouch! You say to yourself…
I don’t have this qualification, guess I won’t apply
Here’s my rule of thumb. If you like the company and job and you have at least 50% of what they are looking for, go ahead and apply! You can read more about applying for jobs in the advice on submitting for submitting your resume for posted jobs.
Following Up: Pest vs. Persistent
It is a classic dilemma. When should you follow up if you haven’t heard back after you’ve applied for a job or had an interview? If you pose your question to show concern for the person you are following up with, the answer is immediately and regularly.
I am sure you’ve received many applications for this job, so I won’t take much of your time. May I ask what your timeframe is for beginning the interview process?
Here are other times when you shouldn’t take “no” for answer.
Be Bold in Your Cover Letter
How often do you write a cover letter that is generic or worse, passive? Depending on the job and the employer, they may be looking for someone who is proactive and boarder-line assertive. What will they think when the read this…
If you think I have the qualifications you are looking for, I look forward to hearing from you and can be reached at the number below.
I challenge you be confident and firm in your qualifications as a candidate. Reword your closing paragraph to something more…
Based on my initial understanding of the job requirements, I am confident I possess the skills you are seeking. I look forward to speaking with you soon about my candidacy and will contact you on Thursday to learn more about your selection process.
Pick Up the Phone!
Are you a phone-aphobic? Me too. But knowing what you will say and saying it in the right way makes it much easier. There are some ideas in this post on leaving no stone unturned!
Age is In Your Head
You are as old as you present yourself to be. Ageism will always be an issue, but there are so many ways you can counter and eliminate this issue. These posts address biases and solutions YOU can adopt. I am old and noone wants to hire me and Grump Old Men. Be sure to read the comments posted too!
What would you be able to do if you didn’t listen to the voices in your head?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
