Yesterday, we published this edited extract from the career book Women Who Seize The Moment on why we should back ourselves, first.
It was a call to quit waiting on permission from others before believing you’re worthy of a new opportunity.
After receiving a big response to the article, we wanted to share an additional six tips for putting self doubt aside. Got your own tips? Let us know.
1. Remember nobody’s perfect
Even the person you may quietly believe has everything, doesn’t. You don’t see her or him in their private life. Perhaps they’re great at covering up their flaws. Perhaps they’re simply such strong self-backers that they can make others believe they’re flawless. See those who can put on such an act as education for learning how you too can back yourself, rather than feeling intimidated by their perceived lack of faults.
2. “Imposter syndrome” or feeling like a fraud is a state of mind
Really, nobody’s noticing. Feeling like a fraud is entirely in your own mind. So “turn it on” as Julia Gillard has said, put the self-doubt to one side and act with authority and confidence even when you don’t feel you have the right to do so.
3. Remind yourself of your brilliance
Putting your achievements, strengths and values to paper will help you clarify your “elevator pitch” (that 30-second spiel you use to describe what it is you’re about) and reinforce a sense of positivity on just what you can do. Career coach Suzi Skinner advocates journalling to help (electronically or physically) as it offers a means to record what you’ve achieved.
4. Know that nobody will ever be 100% qualified for a role
If you meet 20% of the job description criteria and or skills and experience required, consider it a good start. As company director Michelle Tredenick notes, consider what you bring to the role rather than how you meet the criteria of the position description. Sell the skills you have that are not listed in the job description and outline how these could make you a better candidate.
5. Own your own weaknesses
You own your weaknesses, so you can also own how you strengthen them, or learn to accept them as part of who you are in order to see your strengths as what really counts.
6. See the merit in failure
It shows you’ve taken a risk, experimented with something new and had the nous and confidence to give something a go. Failure is a great opportunity to learn, to think and regroup. It’ll put you on course for your next career move.