Confidence – most of us have it in varying degrees. What qualities make you appear self-assured and confident? The adjectives vary, but “resourceful” and “accomplished” come to mind. How you present yourself matters: your posture, clothes and the way you speak. Here are some things to think about:
1. See yourself as the answer to an employer’s prayers. Not cocky, but believe in yourself.
2. Figure out how to communicate trustworthiness. Anyone hiring is taking a chance and they want to hire well. Give them every reason to think you will make them look good.
3. Speak positively. No waffling or being negative, about anything.
4. Ask for the job. Tell the hiring manager the job interests you and you’d like to contribute to the continuing success of the organization. Decide before you go in you’ll keep an open mind no matter what the employer presents. Mid-interview negativity shows.
5. Find a creative way to get introduced. Send an employer a coffee cup with a $5 swipe card and a little note:”I’d like to get together and talk with you over coffee. I’ll be calling soon.”
6. Consider using a ‘Visual Resume’ http://www.visualcv.com or other creative ways to demonstrate your credentials and skills.
7. Shake hands firmly. Smile. RochesterWorks.org will video you in a mock interview. I did this and even though I was conscious of trying not to say ‘um,’ I still said it several times. There’s nothing like actually seeing yourself to highlight your strengths and weaknesses.
Check out these online resources:
Day-of-interview tips: http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/craving-confidence-confident-interview-skills-part-03/16758481
Laugh out loud examples of what not to do. http://www.howtonailaninterview.com/
Enjoying Your Life – Free or Inexpensive FUN Things to Do
The Lilac Festival starts May 8th. See all the free events (events with a charge say “ticketed”) http://www.lilacfestival.com/09eventinfo.html
Hannah Morgan
May 3, 2009Super blog Deborah! Full of uplifting, positive life stuff! It will be interesting to see how you progress with it as things change. I really enjoy reading it. Thanks
Mike Cook
May 4, 2009Deb: Thanks for sending this our way. I believe that good people always will always end up doing well as long as they keep their confidence up. Looking for a situation to make your contribution makes more sense to me than looking for a job. Your perfect situation may never get posted so getting in somewhere that feels right to you may just be the best place to start and with a bit of performance behind you the opportunity to create your situation becomes possible. Your confidence in you needs to become other’s confidence in you.