How can u boost your self esteem when looking for a job?

Question

As you know it's confidence and self esteem that win you the job at the end of the day....But i know it's the depression from being out of work that's causing the low esteem! urgh...It's a never ending circle...What tips do u have to get yourself out of the pit and get yourself back in the land of the living?

Answer 1

Sit in front of a mirror and teach yourself to smile no matter how you feel inside.
Then go out into the world and smile.
You will win everyone over.
Believe me.

Answer 2

Dizzy,

With over 10 years in hiring experience, maybe I can offer some advice.

Try a shift in perspective. Most people go into a job interview totally unprepared, and with a very passive attitude. Before you go to an interview, research the company a bit, and take notes of some interesting and key facts about them. Then, when you get to the interview, remember that you're interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Have some questions prepared beforehand. Asking prepared questions about the company shows you're really interested.

Also, try not go give standard answers to the standard questions. Think about the most typical questions ahead of time, and have an intelligent answer ready. For example, when asked "where do you see yourself in five years", don't tell a potential manager "in your job!". Having a real thought-out answer will make you stand out. Also, when they ask "what are your weaknesses", don't give the typical response of trying to make a strength look like a weakness (for example, "I'm too organized").

You might want to take another look at your resume too. Try looking at it from the hiring manager's point of view. Read it and ask yourself, "would I want to interview this person?". Same with your cover letter. It's also a good idea to have someone else look over your resume and cover letter - often someone else will notice weaknesses you would never notice yourself. Ditch the standard cover letter. Each employer you send your resume to should get a unique cover letter. Create a letter that tells a potential manager who you are - why are you looking for a job now, why you are interested in this particular company, what about this job interests or excites you, what you can bring to this employer that would benefit them.

You can also get some good interviewing tips at most employment websites (Monster, Careerbuilder, Hot Jobs, etc.).

The more prepared you are going into an interview, the more confident you'll be. Stand up tall, sit up straight, give a firm handshake, and look your interviewer in the eye!

Go get em!

Answer 3

It really helps to know a lot about the company and people that are employed there...so when you apply for jobs, you can be more alert about the organization and the people employed there or look online about the company. Remember that when you're dropping off your resume/application, it may help to make a good impression with the secretary/receptionist as well.

You can also look up what type of questions will be asked during interviews (depending on your field/position applying for) and be prepared to answer them in advance. Think of what you can offer a company and forget about all the negative stuff. Practice selling yourself either in front of a mirror or in front of a friend. Oh and go out and buy yourself a new professional outfit that will definitely help boost your confidence.

Good luck to you and keep your head high.....and smile :).

Answer 4

I want to thank you for answering my question about moving out of my folks house. I really liked your answer so I added you to my contacts. Girl, I was you years ago trust me! Do you mean self-esteem or self-image? Or both? Self esteem is how you believe others view you or let it affect (or not) how you view yourself. Self-image is just how you think of yourself in regards mainly to appearance. When you look better on the outside and it can actually help you feel more confident about yourself internally. But it is NOT the answer to finding confidence. That has to come from within yourself. Try looking in the mirror and telling yourself that you love you. Sounds silly but after awhile you will believe it more and more. Also try writing down the things you are good at as well as your goals and ambitions in life. What are your hobbies, your dreams and interests?? You could try asking a friend or family member their opinions of you or what attributes you have also as well to get an idea if you do not know! Just think of all the great qualities you have and you should have a reason to smile!! Love yourself first and learn to accept your flaws no one is perfect. Do not focus on other people and their opinions of you, focus on what you KNOW not what ppl think...you will really go far! You can improve your image, that in itself will help your self image! Thats actually the easier part if you are willing to make those changes or sacrifice to change. Eventually, I talked my folks into letting me purchase contact lens at 16 and I use Clean & Clean Acne Complex so my acne is not that bad as it once was....as far as clothing is concerned, you can kind of create your own style or if you admire a certain celeb take a little something from their style that you like. Make sure your style is your own, it should express who you are as an individual. Me personally, I am fairly eclectic sometimes I dress up alot and other times more edgy. People are going to look at whoever looks different but thats a good thing, why would you want to look like everyone else? Well hope this has helped you, best wishes with school and trust me you will over time learn to be more confident if you do affirmations as suggested :-)

Answer 5

When I taught public speaking, I used to tell the students this:

Imagine if you woke up one day with amnesia. You have no idea who you are and how other people think of you. You don't know if you were a bold person or a shy person. You don't know if you were insecure or confident. The only thing you can do is, for example, ASSUME you were bold and confident. Okay, maybe you'd be "pretending" to be bold and confident, because you have no memory of being otherwise, but as far as everyone meeting you for the first time, all they can do is assume that how you present yourself is the real you. Even if you're only pretending.

The fact is, you can "pretend" to be whatever you want, right now, without having amnesia. What you may have to do is FORGET about how you think others view you and how you even view yourself. The key is, people only know what they see, and if they see you as a confident person with self esteem, that's what they'll believe you are.

When I was really young, I was really paranoid...extremely insecure...all of that stuff. Bullies picked on me because I "acted" vulnerable...but I was "acting" how I felt...not how I wished I could be. Then I took some acting classes and learned this simple fact: you are who you appear to others to be. Your private insecurities are irrelevant if nobody knows about them. It's a kind of make believe...to start...but guess what? Before you know it, after people start viewing you as you present yourself...and reacting to you as they would to a bold and confident person...you'll start believing it yourself. You will, in fact, BECOME the person you'd rather be.

Answer 6

imagine this scenario:
2 people go for the same job, one of them has all the right qualifications,experience, know how etc but have a really bad attitude,are very negative, unenthusiastic & demoralising..they look tired,thier appearance is unkempt & un-impressive
the other doesn't have all the requirements for the job necessarily but has a great positive energy , has a can-do attitude (can learn), has initiative, is a joy to be around...they look professional, tidy & impressive.
who would u give the job to?
I know i wouldn;t want the first person around as they'll bring everyone's spirits down & that only leads to problems later on...
also, I believe in agels & funnily enough I was just reading about this topic i my angels book & it said you can have the job that brings you joy & you don't have to limit urself to just any old job that comes along...so believe you can have it,go for it & you can do it!
also, u can ask ur angels 2 help u, all you have to do is say: angels please help me to find a great job,& I promise you they will!
xxchoo

Answer 7

Well much of life can never really be explained but only witnessed,You need to have a out going personality,and good presentation skills,plus a meticulous attention to details,then all the rest will fall into place and you got yourself a new job.

Answer 8

im feel the same way as you but i just try to stay positive because the right job will come along one day and when it does it will have been worth the wait so chin up and keep smiling and good luck

Answer 9

Going fora job you know lots about helps - even of you have to blag the ffew bits you dont know about!!

Answer 10

Photoshop your pictures.