Getting a job is about power. Your power. Because if you don’t feel powerful, chances are you aren’t going to win interviews or get offers you want.
Be honest with yourself. Are you giving your power away?
You know the voices that take away your power… “I’m not that good at, I can’t do everything in the job description, I’m not the best, I need more training, there are people that do this better, I’m too old, I was fired …“
Every day people contact me saying they want help with a resume, cover letter, or interview. And the bottom line is, many of these folks are scared and feeling disempowered. They think that the perfect resume is essential to getting hired.
Guess what? They have to take that resume and own the content! They have to know there is great value in what they are offering!
To feel powerful, you have to know that you have an offer to make and you have choices. You’ve got to feel in your body, heart and mind that you are worthy of a most excellent job! And you are not going to settle for less.
How can you take back your power? First, remember getting hired is an exchange. Yes, you want an offer. And, you are making an offer, too, an offer that has great value. You are giving your precious time, skills, experience and wisdom in service of someone else’s needs; and they are going to get lots of benefit and value and profit out of your work. It should be a win-win. You both get to decide if the other is worthy.
To be powerful, you have to know your value in your whole being. Not just writing down your skills and accomplishments, but saying the words out loud, savoring them, ideally in the presence of someone else who will see you and acknowledge that, yes, it’s real. You did that and you did it well. You have great things to offer.
You have to be prepared to deliver your offer out loud and in person. Belly to belly with an interviewer. With the strength of your inner ape.
So, here’s your homework. Get a timer, set it for seven minutes, and write down five things that you have done well, ideally where you can describe your impact. Five things that you are proud of. Accomplishments, achievements, an award. And then stand up, set your gaze on your audience, say out loud- “I am proud that I did …, I had an impact … I have value.”
And here’s the catch. You have to repeat these statements or stories out loud three times a day every day for at least a week. Savor the words. Own them. Embody them. If you can, say them to someone else. Imagine looking the boss that fired you in the eye and smile as you say, yes, I put together that most excellent report and I’m proud of it. Remind yourself that you are building muscles to help you stride into an interview and own the room.
Know it, say it, feel it and let it land and savor the reverberation of your words.
Take back your power. And decide who is worthy of your offer.