4 Ways to Build Confidence as a Job Applicant

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The task of finding a new job is often as daunting as working full-time.

Between reading tons of job ads for just the right position, completing long applications, going to various interviews all over town, and being rejected, the entire process can be downright exhausting.

Here are some things that you can do to build your confidence as an applicant and, in turn, shorten your job search.

Update your skills:

Each field of work has its own set of skills that are used on the job. If you do not have the required skills for the job you want, then you need to develop them. If you do have some field specific skills, you may need to update them.

For instance, if you have been working in the medical office field, you may now need to update your skills to include EMR or electronic medical records proficiency if you’ve only worked with paper files.

Every industry innovates and changes some of their processes or tools used on the job over time. It is important going into an interview to know that you are capable of using the most updated tools or software.

To update your skills, you can visit a local community center or job resource center to take courses at low or no cost to you.

You can also visit your local library, or search for free tutorials online for the subject of your choice.

Depending on the skill, you may also need to go take a class or classes through a college or university.

Apply to the right jobs:

When applying to jobs, your chance of success is much higher if you apply for jobs where you meet the minimum requirements. Hiring managers have an idea of what skills and experience a new employee will need to be successful on a job.

If the job ad requires five years of previous experience doing a similar job, it is not likely the hiring manager will hire a new graduate who has never worked or interned in the field.

While companies may occasionally take a chance on someone inexperienced, they are more likely to go with someone who has everything they are looking for.

Read each job ad carefully to see if you meet the minimum requirements before applying.

It will save both you and the interviewer time, effort, and disappointment.

Polish your resume and cover letter:

Your resume and cover letter are often a hiring manager’s first impression of you. Be sure that your resume and cover letter are both free from grammatical and spelling errors.

Address your cover letter to the right person. Never blindly email a resume to a company without including a cover letter that mentions what job you are applying for.

Make sure that your resume and cover letter are tailored to the job you are applying for.

Employers want to know how your skills and experience match up with the skills and experience they are searching for in a new employee.

Practice with a mock interview:

There is a science to interviewing. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

To prepare for a job interview, you need to do a mock interview. A lot of career services offices, and job resource centers offer mock interviews to people who are seeking a job.

If you can’t get help there, search online for sample interview questions and have a friend or family member conduct the interview with you. Think of the answers you will give to difficult questions ahead of time.

Often a resume gets you in the door; but a bad interview will ruin your chances of being hired.

Remember, confidence as an applicant can be built.

If you are positive that you have the most up-to-date skills for your field, have applied to a job where you meet the minimum requirements, have a polished resume and are prepared to answer even the tough interview questions, you are well on your way to landing a new job.

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