| I have to hire many people to accomplish what I | | | | only come to those who believe in themselves). |
| do. Naturally, I want good, clean, straight-forward | | | | These are things that may never show up on a |
| resumes. I want to see what the applicant has | | | | resume, but which tell me something about your |
| done and, by extension, what he or she might be | | | | belief in yourself; your discipline, your faith in your |
| able to do for me. From my perspective, it's all | | | | own future. Those are the kinds of people any |
| about what I need in order to grow my business. | | | | employer should be seeking. |
| Most applicants look at it from the other | | | | And don't be afraid to say it clearly: "I believe that |
| perspective: what will the application and interview | | | | I am the right person for this position, and I look |
| process do for them? Too often, it seems to me, | | | | forward to the opportunity to prove it to you." |
| they look at the resume, the application, and the | | | | Be Confident in Person |
| cover letter as the end of the process. Well, for | | | | Whether you're on the phone or in a face-to-face |
| them - and for me - it is only the beginning. If | | | | meeting, be confident that you are the one. |
| you don't look at it in the same way, then it will | | | | Before a phone or personal interview, look into a |
| be the end. | | | | mirror and tell yourself why you believe you will |
| And the most important item that never shows | | | | succeed in the interview; why you will get the |
| up is confidence. It's not educational experience; | | | | job; why you will prove to everyone that your |
| not work experience; not references. Most of the | | | | are the right choice for this position. In a way, |
| people who apply for work have those things | | | | you are your own coach, giving yourself a great |
| already in place. What they often fail to show me | | | | pep talk before the game. |
| on paper or in the interview is the confidence | | | | But it is not a game; the interview is serious |
| they have in themselves to get the job, do the | | | | business. That's why you must have good |
| job and grow in the job. | | | | reasons to support your belief in yourself. "I |
| If you bring your confidence and your faith in | | | | want," "I really need," and "I've been rejected so |
| yourself, most employers will see exactly what | | | | many times," are not the reasons you're looking |
| they are seeking in you. Then, all the weaknesses | | | | for, and they are not the reasons that will |
| and shortcomings on your resume will disappear. | | | | persuade an employer. Remember, the person |
| Lack of experience, mediocre grades in school, | | | | who is hiring has needs, too; the needs for a |
| youth - all the things that you think of as | | | | competent, reliable, honest, dedicated worker who |
| disadvantages - will be diminished. | | | | believes in his or her ability to do the job, and to |
| Be confident on Paper | | | | be a part of the team. |
| The first place you can demonstrate confidence is | | | | So convince yourself of your worth and your |
| in a cover letter. I'm sure you've heard that the | | | | ability. Be confident on paper and in person. |
| cover letter tells the employer those important | | | | Believe in yourself, and let your self-confidence |
| things that a resume can't communicate. Well, the | | | | come through in the way you sit, the way you |
| most important is your belief in yourself. If you | | | | answer questions, and in the kinds of questions |
| don't believe in yourself, why should I believe that | | | | you ask. Show that you're the one who is looking |
| you're the one for the job I have in mind? | | | | forward to joining this organization. |
| So, when you "fill in the gaps" in your resume, be | | | | And believe it; don't try to fake it. If you don't |
| sure that you explain why you are sure that you | | | | have the confidence you need, then go out and |
| can do this job; even more importantly, that you | | | | get it. Get more education; get wider experience |
| are the right person for this job. Tell me how | | | | by volunteering or taking on extra jobs; get |
| experiences that don't show up on the resume | | | | involved in church or community activities to test |
| help you have confidence in yourself. Some life | | | | your ability to work with others and get the |
| experiences that show personal confidence and a | | | | interpersonal experience you need. |
| health self-esteem are: | | | | But, more than anything else believe in you. If you |
| Membership or leadership in scouting or youth | | | | do, your confidence will come through in every |
| groups Success on sports teams Accomplishment | | | | aspect of your writing and speaking. You will be |
| of a personal goal, such as running a marathon, or | | | | showing me and any other employer that you are |
| building a soapbox racer. Playing a musical | | | | the one. |
| instrument (the long years of practice and learning | | | | Good luck! |