Jason Monastra

My life and thoughts out on the web

Confidence is a unique skill, one that is difficult to muster for most but easy to shed at the first hint of objection.  Confidence is a must have in the job search.  A trait that before now could have been something depending on your skills that was not needed, but now with increased applicants and an ever expanding pool of new opportunities in this economy - CONFIDENCE IS A MUST HAVE.

I normally stick to the process when coaching people on the how’s of interviewing.  But challenged recently with a great consultant that who had not interviewed in person for some time.  All of the previous engagements had come from referrals or phone discussions, but this client wanted to see him before the process began.  A change in process for this consultant and one that got him thinking about his own self confidence.  Most of the time people do not even realize they have an issue till they find themselves posed with a situation that they are not accustomed to.  Previous to this meeting, I assure you this professional felt no lack of confidence given his track record.  But when moved outside the norm of what he “knows”, that confidence is gone.  That made me question - how does someone that has done so well do when that confidence is removed?

I actually came to the conclusion on my way to a dinner meeting.  As most of you know I am a believing Christian and was praying on my way to the meeting.  One for a positive meeting, the other for a better outlook into people’s challenging events.  With that came a clear view into something that I had not previously seen….what if this professional saw the event taking place as being the same process he was in before, thus restoring his confidence level?  What had thrown this guy was that he was doing something not previously done.  But what if it was the same thing he was doing - he just did not know it.

So the answer was clear, make him understand the process and align it to what he was doing.  The meeting in person was exactly the same as him being there on the first day of an assignment, only occurring before.  I proceeded to discuss with him the idea of an in person meeting - what the purpose was and that he had the job essentially.  They knew he could do the work (technical screenings had already occurred), the idea of the person meeting was to see if they could work together and rub shoulders on a daily basis.  Working with the RIGHT people is just as important as working with people you LIKE.  Once the interview was turned into a meeting of building rapport and not an overview of this guy’s entire life - the process relaxed and he could relate to this being the same sort of thing that occurs during the first week of an assignment.

Bottom line, CONFIDENCE returned and the process went fine.  So if confidence is something you are lacking due to being laid off, or some other circumstances; bring the process back to something you know and understand that YOU CAN DO what is needed to land this job, assignment or project.  Be confident and things will be easier during the process.  Keep your heads up everyone, your time is right around the corner.