Unlocking Confidence: How to Empower Your Professional Growth and Job Search Success

I'm excited to share that today's article was created in collaboration with AI. The main material is pulled from my own work. I also wrote a large portion of the article. Of course, I edited and checked everything before it got to you. ~ Andrew

Confidence is a crucial ingredient for achieving personal and professional success. Leadership speaker Selena Rezvani is out today with a new book titled Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Boost Connections, and Make Bold Bets on Yourself. We recently chatted on my Get Hired podcast about cultivating confidence, particularly during challenging career transitions and job searches.

Confidence, Rezvani told me, is "your ability to predict success or learning in the future, knowing that we can be successful in situations and accepting that it won't always go our way a hundred percent of the time." It's vital to understand that it's perfectly normal to lack confidence in certain aspects of life. The key is to narrate the right stories to oneself and to adopt a coaching mindset in the face of self-doubt, said Rezvani.

Job seekers grappling with confidence issues may encounter several obstacles, said Rezvani. Engaging with intimidating individuals on a peer-to-peer basis to avoid hierarchies is one way to maintain confidence during difficult conversations. Additionally, you should concentrate on elements within your control, such as thorough interview preparation or proactive networking on LinkedIn, rather than fixating on uncontrollable factors.

Maintaining confidence is also about honoring commitments to oneself and following through on tasks. Rezvani cautions against becoming "that flaky coworker" to yourself, as it erodes self-esteem. She underscores the significance of self-forgiveness and employing physical rituals to release past mistakes and move forward.

To boost confidence for crucial meetings or presentations, Rezvani recommends adopting a "dog code" approach—being the first to initiate contact and start conversations. Furthermore, mastering a comfortable self-introduction is essential. Rezvani suggests practicing introductions in front of a mirror, recording them, or role-playing with a friend to ensure they come across as genuine and natural.

SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to bolster confidence, said Rezvani. By breaking objectives into manageable tasks, individuals can monitor progress and celebrate small victories, fostering self-assurance and reinforcing belief in one's abilities.

Body language plays a significant role in confidence levels. Adopting a strong, assertive posture can instill a sense of control and project confidence to others, said Rezvani. She proposes practicing open, expansive poses and maintaining eye contact during interactions to convey self-assurance and competence.

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network is another vital aspect of building confidence. A strong support system of trusted friends, family, and colleagues who offer encouragement, constructive feedback, and resources can profoundly affect self-belief. Rezvani recommends seeking mentors, joining professional associations, or attending industry events to widen networks and knowledge bases.

As for being too confident, Rezvani told me you only need to be "65 to 70% reassured that this is a good idea." The remaining percentage allows room for healthy doubt. Confident individuals maintain certainty while relinquishing control over outcomes beyond their reach. They are comfortable seeking feedback and requesting assistance when necessary, exemplifying humility and a willingness to learn from others.

You can listen to our full conversation on my Get Hired podcast by clicking here.

Ageism is a sad reality in most parts of society, including the world of work. Fortunately, there are small steps you can take to reduce the obstacles that ageism may throw in your way — from your mindset to your resume. Kerry Hannon, a well-known author and senior columnist at Yahoo Finance, joined me on the latest episode of my #GetHired podcast to talk about it all. You can find a transcript of the conversation and listen to the episode by clicking here.

COMING UP: 

A common area of anxiety among job seekers is what to do once they get a job offer. Should they negotiate? If so, what should they ask for? Also, how do they know when they have enough? Mori Taheripour, a negotiation expert and author, will join me on the next episode of the podcast to talk all about it. Make sure you follow my podcast wherever you like to listen, including Apple Podcasts, so you don't miss the episode! (You can also click "Follow" in the embed above.)

• How do you prioritize self-care while job searching? (By Brandi Fowler) It’s easy to forget to make time for self-care while job searching, but protecting your mental health is critical. As you look for your next role, strike a balance "between ambition and self compassion," writes Welcome to the Jungle. To do so, use these self-care strategies: Establish a balanced daily routine, prioritize physical health, build a support network, set realistic expectations, incorporate mindfulness techniques and learn a new skill. Job seekers who prioritize self-care will manage stress better, maintain a positive mindset and navigate job search challenges with more confidence. Click here to learn more.
• Can you turn your weakness into a strength? (By Gianna Prudente) "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" This interview question may seem simple, but your response needs to be original and authentic to make a strong impression. When asked to describe strengths, author Joel Schwartzberg recommends sharing a strength based on a responsibility listed in the job description or highlighting a unique skill. Either way, use a real-life example that demonstrates impact. When talking about weaknesses, Schwartzberg advises to share a challenge you faced and how you overcame it or mentioning an "easily correctable" skill that can be improved through training. Click here to see what others are saying about the strategy.
• You may want to watch out for these words on your resume. (By Brandi Fowler) The majority of job seekers (93%) include one or more action phrases on their resumes, according to a recent analysis, but some verbs can have an unflattering effect. Career experts told CNBC Make It that job seekers should use the following words sparingly: managed, created, helped, assisted, supported and facilitated. Verbs like "helped," "supported" and "assisted" can come off as passive. Instead, use verbs that communicate exactly what you were responsible for. Alternatives include "coached," "represented" or "clarified." Click here to see more words to watch out for when resume writing.

I mentioned that we'll be talking about negotiating next week on the podcast. So, as an appetizer, I want to offer up this great course on how to persuade others. This LinkedIn Learning course will help set the foundations for conversations where you want to sway people to your side. You can watch it below or by clicking here.