ARE YOU LACKING CONFIDENCE AND SELF ASSURANCE?

Barbara Elisjones explains how we can change our beliefs and be the person we wish to be.   Barbara operates a recruitment company in Sydney, Australia and is a trainer in personal development.

Why do some people have confidence and self assurance whilst others lack these positive traits? Our ability to interact with others in the community comes down to our self belief.

Each of us has travelled a different journey in life – different parents, different teachers, different peers, and different life experiences with people. The interactions we have experienced with each of these people through life and the way that we responded to those interactions has created the person we are today. This includes all of our fears that we have generated, the way we participate in our relationships, the way we respond to others at work and the way we think about ourselves.

For example we can all remember things that were said to us by our parents and teachers when growing up – things like – “You will never amount to much” - “Why aren’t you smart like your brother” - “Why aren’t you well behaved like your sister” - all negatives that were implanted In our subconscious minds when we were very young. Our minds react to this negative information 24 hours a day and we go over and over these subconscious thoughts – until they become our beliefs. All these “put downs” then impact in a negative way on the way we see ourselves.

Advertisers make use of our subconscious minds knowing that we absorb any messages that cross our minds into our subconscious; and that is why advertisers repeat their messages continuously until these messages become our beliefs about the products and services they are promoting. Therefore we need to be aware that some of our beliefs are not based on fact. Instead they are based on messages provided by others.

What we need to know is that we can change these incorrect beliefs. We need to replace these incorrect beliefs with new beliefs. We use positive statements about ourselves to do this and repeat these statements over and over until they become reality. We also need to take a careful look at what we say to ourselves each and every day. How many times have we done something and then made the comment to ourselves – oh you idiot why would I do that? Although we did not mean that comment such comments need to be stopped. So we must keep correcting ourselves – and say positive things about ourselves and always say them in the present tense as though we already have the ability, skill or the characteristic we wish to have. Repeat to ourselves positive statements, for example – “I am a confident, happy, friendly person who enjoys interacting with people.”

The more we repeat these statements over and over again will enable us to replace any negative messages we have stored in our subconscious mind over a number of years and enable us to become the person we wish to be.

Next week I will discuss with you how to use this correcting exercise in combination with others to enable you to further the process and speed up the journey to be the person we wish to be.

Best Jobs in Sydney

Resume Preparation

Remember your Resume is your selling tool – it is selling YOU. It should be concise and understated rather than exaggerated. Your consultant will add to it if required.

Your resume presentation gives an indication of your logical thinking and your written communication skills. (Are you able to express yourself concisely or are you a waffler?)

Type your resume. Handwritten resumes are ignored. No employer has the time to decipher handwriting.

Make sure you check the spelling errors. Every draft should be thoroughly checked for spelling and grammatical errors.

Keep your points concise – avoid long phrases. Use dot points to show your responsibilities under each position in your career history. Dot points are easier for reading and it is easier to see your skill-set. Your resume should include –

Your Personal Details:
Name, address, contact details (home telephone number, work telephone number, mobile number, email address)

Education should include:
Level achieved at Secondary school, name of institution you attended, and date you completed.
Tertiary education (provide name of institution attended, name of course, areas of major study and year attended).
List short courses attended and year attended.
List of computer software and computer skills.

Work Experience should include:
Name of Company, branch and city
Position Held, Date position started and finished (e.g. Sept 08 – June 10)
Under each position list “Roles and Responsibilities” – here use dot points and list the roles in single lines.
Special achievements may be noted under each role if you wish.

Provide a list of referees (at least two) together with telephone numbers. Referees should be people to whom you previously reported.

Interview Techniques

Before taking the next step in your career path you must succeed at your interview. It is at this time that all that confidence you had seems to disappear. Successful interviews don't just happen they require preparation. Go prepared and maintain your confidence.

Preparation

Talk to your Elisjones Consultant and find out about the company offering the position, its job specification and the skills and experience required.

Do your Homework. Research the company. Check out their website, find out about their products and services. Compare your skills and experience against the job specification.

Make a note of any special skills or experience you have that matches the job specification that can validate your selection for the job.

Make a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Always let the interviewer know that you have researched their website, and tell them you have some additional questions. (Talk to your Elisjones consultant about the sort of questions that would be appropriate at this point.)

Plan your travel to the interview. Ideally arrive ten minutes early so that you arrive relaxed. (If taking public transport, take the earlier train or bus to allow for cancellations.)

Present yourself as the person you want to be. Look professional – smart, tidy and clean. For corporate positions wear a classic dark suit (including jacket) – make sure it is pressed and clean. Avoid sandals, sling back shoes and sneakers. Avoid unnecessary adornments like rings, bracelets and chunky earrings.

Be prepared to answer situational or behavioural questions related to the role. (Ask your Elisjones consultant if you are unsure.) For example for a customer service position you could be asked: "Can you tell me how you would handle a difficult customer who has a complaint."

Know your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare yourself ahead – many of our weaknesses are also our strengths – so tell your interviewer this. For example – 'attention to detail' can be a strength and a weakness – it can slow you down if overdone. Avoid saying that you don't have weaknesses. We all have them, so this wouldn't be credible.

The Interview Itself

You have arrived at the interview location on time, well dressed and well prepared and your mobile phone turned off.
- Greet the interviewer with a friendly smile and a firm hand shake.
- Most interviewers will then endeavour to put you at ease by having a general chat prior to asking you questions.

Speak at a normal pace. Avoid speaking too fast. (Some people speak fast when they are nervous – be aware of this and slow your speech if necessary.)

Always look at the interviewer – keep eye contact as much as possible. Try to smile, as this relaxes you. Do not cross your arms. Lean forward slightly and show interest in the job.

Phrase responses in positive terms – avoid negatives. This presents you as an optimist rather than a pessimist. Answer questions in short descriptive phrases without waffling. Be precise and clear with your answers.

If you completed your preparation, you should now know how to answer your strengths and weaknesses if asked. Similarly you should be prepared for any behavioural or situational questions having checked with your EJ Consultant.

Closing the Interview

Avoid asking about remuneration until the end of the interview. Allow time for the interviewer to approach the subject first. Initially answer the question by saying - for example - "I believe the market range is $60-$65,000". The reason for this is to allow the employing company to commit itself first with a guideline figure.

If an offer is made at the interview, and you are keen to accept the job – do so. However, if you are unsure – or you need to discuss the position further with your Consultant or partner, confirm your interest in the job and tell the interviewer that you would like to discuss the offer with your partner (or consultant) first before accepting.

If a job offer isn't made – ask for the Job. Don't be worried if the job is not offered immediately as there could be others to be interviewed.

Where the interviewer brings the interview to an end thank the interviewer for their time (and for the job offer – if made). Confirm your interest in the job.

Ring your Elisjones consultant and discuss any queries you have about the position that needs to be clarified. Provide feedback of your interest or otherwise in the position as soon as possible after the interview. Remember it is best if the consultant has your feedback before talking to the employer regarding their response. It demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role.

DO NOT

If you "forget" to turn off your mobile phone – ignore it and apologise to your interviewer – do not ask can you answer it.

Do NOT chew gum.

DO

Sell yourself.

Remember you are a person with good skills and experience that fits the job on offer. (Your Elisjones consultant has already matched your skills and experience.) Your Consultant believes in you – now believe in yourself.

Elisjones & Associates - Recruitment Services Australia