3 Pre-Interview Confidence Boosters

3 Pre-Interview Confidence Boosters

Sweaty palms. Shaky voice. Blank mind. These symptoms of nervousness can seriously sabotage a job interview, no matter how prepared and qualified you are.


To quell these natural responses and help you muster more confidence in anxious situations, consider these quick pre-interview confidence boosters so you can perform better right before your next job interview—no energy drinks or cheesy motivational speeches required!

Amy Cuddy, social psychologist at Harvard Business School, talked about what people do while waiting for a job interview to start in a popular TEDGlobal presentation.

“You’re sitting down. You’re looking at your iPhone or Android. You’re looking at your notes.”

This common waiting room behavior is not really ideal for maximizing your confidence right before an interview. Instead, the following activities will make you way more confident before meeting a potential boss:

1. Strike A Power Pose For Two Minutes

Confident job candidates wait to be interviewed

According to Cuddy, rather than hunching up and making yourself small in the waiting room chair as you scramble to soak up last-minute notes or practice one final interview question, you should actually find a private place to do what Cuddy calls a power pose.

There are a few variations, but the Wonder Woman pose is easy to remember. So, 10 minutes before your interview, go somewhere private, like the bathroom, and strike a strong pose where you can take up as much space as possible.

2. Repeat A Positive Affirmation

Confident man waits before his job interview

“Repeating a positive affirmation can reduce production of cortisol and stress hormones by almost 50%, slow the mind, lower your blood pressure and heart rate, and make you feel confident and powerful,” says Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of The Mindful Living Network and the Stress Institute.

Hall offers the following examples:

  • I am confident in all things.
  • I have unlimited potential.

Joyce Marter, psychotherapist and CEO of Urban Balance, would agree and suggests deep breathing while you recite a positive mantra in your head “using language you will want to use in the interview, such as ‘I absolutely will succeed in this job if given the opportunity.'”

You might feel a little silly at first, but these words will help you emit a more positive appearance—and that sure beats a nervous one!

3. Read Over Nice Things People Have Said About You

Confident woman greets the hiring manager with a handshake during a job interview

Thinking back to a time when you were successful and confident is a great way to recreate that confidence right before an interview. A quick and easy way to do this is to print out and compile anything nice someone has said about you. Read old letters of recommendation, LinkedIn endorsements, letters, or notes from colleagues or teachers that have boosted your confidence in the past.

If you’re not really feeling this method, “quickly review your biggest accomplishments in your head before going into the interview,” says Katherine Walker, founder and executive director of Lifetime Behavioral Health. “This trip down memory lane will instantly create a sense of confidence and serve to get your brain thinking about items the interviewer will no doubt ask you about.” It’s the best way to remind yourself that all of your previous experiences have helped shape you and prepare you to succeed in this job interview!

We hope these three tips will help you feel more confident during your next interview so you can land that dream job!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

It’s Taking Longer To Get Hired. Here’s Why…

It’s Taking Longer To Get Hired. Here’s Why…

It’s taking longer to get hired, folks. This is according to an article on LinkedIn showing that the U.S. Department of Labor has reported that over 800,000 unemployed workers went from taking three and a half months to find a job to over six months. That’s up 36% since April of 2022.


So, why is it taking longer to get hired?

Why It’s Taking Longer To Get Hired

@j.t.odonnell It’s Taking Longer To Get Hired, Here’s Why… #hired #careertok #jobtok #careeradvice #jobsearch #linkedin #jobtips #joblife #job #career ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Reason #1

The first reason why it’s taking longer to get hired is the talent market is flooded. In the second half of 2022, in the tech sector, more people got laid off than during the entirety of the Great Recession of 2008. And the layoffs keep coming. Google just announced more layoffs. So, due to all of these layoffs, there’s a lot of top talent flooding the market right now—professionals who have desirable, in-demand skill sets and experience.

Reason #2

If you are unemployed for a while, either voluntarily or involuntarily (you quit or got fired), it’s going to be harder for you to get a job now because companies are going to question why you’ve been out of work so long. This is definitely a factor in why it’s taking longer for you to get hired. Is it right or fair? No, but it’s the reality. There’s a stigma surrounding it. Companies are going to hire the people that are employed or just recently let go in a public layoff first before they look at the candidates who’ve been unemployed for a month or two.

So, what can you do to speed up your job search?

Here are some simple tips to follow:

  1. Customize your resume for each position you apply for
  2. Write a disruptive cover letter
  3. Identify your “dream companies” and add them to your interview bucket list
  4. Build and utilize your professional network
  5. Prepare for job interviews by conducting mock interviews with friends

Need more help with your job search?

I’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! I look forward to answering all of your career questions in our next live event!

6 Tips For Dating While You’re Unemployed

6 Tips For Dating While You’re Unemployed

When you’re unemployed, one of your biggest fears is being judged by others. When it comes to dating, that fear can be amplified.


The number one question asked when meeting someone new is, “What do you do for a living?” For many people who are out of work, that simple question can feel like a kick to the stomach.

Don’t let unemployment shake your confidence. Here are a few tips for handling the awkward “I’m actually unemployed” talk so you can keep dating while you’re unemployed:

1. Discover What You’re Passionate About

Unemployed man and woman on a lunch date

Being single during a career transition can be an exciting experience, according to Adam LoDolce, a Boston-based dating coach for both men and women. “Dating is the perfect time to redefine yourself,” he says. According to LoDolce, it’s extremely important to discover what you’re really passionate about during this transitional period. “We put so much emphasis on having a good job,” says LoDolce. “You need to realize that, even if you have a good job, it’s not automatically going to get you the girl or the guy.”

Incorporating passion and excitement into your conversation is key during a career transition. By changing your perspective, you can control how people view your situation.

2. Avoid Conversation Killers

Woman avoids talking about being unemployed on a coffee date

There are three common questions that come up when you’re getting to know someone new. They are:

  • What do you do for a living?
  • How old are you?
  • Where are you from?

These questions are major conversation killers, according to LoDolce. “It’s boring conversation,” he says. “If you’re unemployed, work on deflecting these questions and making fun conversation. Have fun.”

So, what do you ask instead? Here are a few conversation starters to try:

  • What’s your dream job?
  • What are your hobbies?
  • What are some places you’d like to visit?

3. Focus On Your Passions

Man and woman on a date talk about work passions

“Stop focusing on what people do for a living and focus on what they’re passionate about instead,” says LoDolce. Although some people are lucky enough to have a job they are passionate about, many people out there aren’t doing what they love for a living.

Talking about your passions will not only help someone get to know you, but it will also be more interesting for both parties involved.

4. Be Positive

Man stays positive about being unemployed on a date

“Being honest about your unemployment is the best approach to communicating with a new guy [or girl],” says dating expert Marni Battista. That doesn’t mean you have to be negative about it, though. Battista suggests putting a positive spin on your situation. For instance, rather than talking about how the economy is killing your industry, or how hiring folks just don’t “get you,” focus on what’s working.

Here’s an example: “I love being a teacher, and am confident that my expertise in integrating technology into the classroom is going to land me an amazing position. All the interviews are great opportunities to practice and discover what the marketplace is looking for.”

“When you cast blame on life’s circumstances, it leaks a ‘Debbie Downer’ energy to your date and he [or she] will be more turned off by your negativity rather than the fact that you are unemployed,” says Battista.

5. Don’t Be Too Serious

Two men on a date talking about work

Afraid of an awkward pause in the conversation after you break the news to your date? Try to make light of the situation as best as you can. “I find that most awkward moments are awkward because you are feeling awkward,” says LoDolce. You need to feel comfortable.

If you start feeling uncomfortable, LoDolce suggests joking around and making light of the situation. “If you’re overly serious about it, it’s going to be uncomfortable,” he says.

6. Spruce Up Your Online Brand

Woman on a date with an unemployed man

“In the online dating world, your first impression is digitized—and your career is part of that,” says Laurie Davis, author of Love at First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating. Most dating profiles have a section to discuss your job. When you’re unemployed, avoid listing a hopeful job title or giving a resume rundown. Avoid posting old photos, or mentioning a would-be job or past position because it sets expectations you can’t live up to in person. Not to mention, giving your total work history will give the impression that you’re trying too hard…and possibly hiding something, she says.

Davis suggests relying on the industry drop-down menus that dating sites offer. If a description can’t be avoided, focus on volunteer work or passions. When talking about projects that are gaining momentum, use confident phrasing.

“Your match doesn’t need to know the intricacies of your experience in a first impression,” Davis explains. Say something like “I’m a management consultant” rather than “I’m trying to start consulting for executives since I did a lot of that in my past job.” “Overexplaining isn’t confident,” she says.

We hope these six tips help you stay confident on the dating scene while you’re unemployed! There’s so much more to you than your career.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Write A Cover Letter Recruiters Will LOVE

How To Write A Cover Letter Recruiters Will LOVE

True or false? Recruiters don’t read cover letters.

Most people may think this is true, but guess what? They’re wrong!


Recruiters do, in fact, read the good cover letters.

So, what does that tell us? If most people don’t hear back from recruiters, and recruiters only read good cover letters, that means a majority of cover letters aren’t written well and, therefore, don’t stand out to them.

That may be hard to hear, but it’s the truth.

CRITICAL Cover Letter Mistakes

Often, there’s WAY too much “blah, blah, blah” and “brag, brag, brag” going on in a cover letter. If you write a cover letter that only focuses on how great you are, recruiters are going to toss it.

Why? Because it’s exactly like all the other cover letters they’ve read.

Think about it. Why should they think you’re incredible when they’ve read hundreds of other cover letters saying other people are incredible, too?

If you want to stand out in the hiring process, you MUST have an attention-grabbing cover letter. This an important tool to have, and one that shouldn’t be glossed over. In some cases, your cover letter can hold more power than your resume. That’s huge, right?

Getting Personal On Your Cover Letter

Job candidate on laptop writing a cover letter

Because the cover letter holds so much power, you need to know how to write one that stands out from the rest. One way to do that is to show a personal connection with the employer.

So, how exactly do you do that?

You can explain how you learned that what they do is special. Showing them that you personally connect with their brand will make you memorable.

Another thing you can do is tell them what it was like the first time you used their product or service. That also shows recruiters that you understand the company and that you believe in what they do.

Lastly, you can tell them about an overall life experience that helps you feel connected to their tribe. This shows that your values and beliefs align with theirs.

The big fact here is that the more personal the cover letter, the better! When you have a cover letter that really has recruiters at “hello,” you know you have their heart AND their mind engaged.

Creating That Crucial Connection

Recruiter reads a cover letter from a job candidate

The reason you want to get personal in your cover letter is because you want to create an emotional connection with a recruiter. Once you establish that connection, you’re not just a piece of paper anymore.

This is what we at Work It Daily call a disruptive cover letter. Why? Because it disrupts the reader and gets them to snap out of autopilot mode and really think about who you are as a candidate.

The First Step When Writing A Disruptive Cover Letter

Woman on laptop takes an online cover letter writing course from Work It Daily

The first thing you need to do is watch a quick video tutorial on how to write this kind of cover letter. You’re going to want to see specific examples so that you know how you should be writing them.

Step 2: Fill Out A Simple Template

Man crafting cover letter for recruiter

You’ll have a template that tells you where the beginning, middle, and end of your cover letter are, and what content should be where. This gives you a great foundation for how to fill out a cover letter properly.

Step 3: Submit That Cover Letter For Review

Man getting his cover letter reviewed by a friend

Once you’re done with your amazing cover letter, have someone review it.

It’s always good to have a second set of eyes on this, especially someone who understands cover letters, recruiters, and the hiring process. This person should be checking grammar, spelling, etc.

So, when all is said and done, how long should it take you to craft a disruptive cover letter? The average time is between one and two hours. That may seem like a lot of time, but think of it this way: once you’ve built a cover letter you know will grab a recruiter’s attention, you’ll be able to use that cover letter format for other job opportunities. You’ll just have to tweak the content in your disruptive cover letter here and there to match the company and job you’re applying to.

Does The Disruptive Cover Letter REALLY Work?

Woman shakes hands with the hiring manager before a job interview

Here at Work It Daily, we know these disruptive cover letters work. We’ve seen hundreds of our clients write KILLER cover letters and get calls for their dream jobs!

So, wouldn’t learning how to write your own disruptive cover letter be good for your career? If so, how much would it be worth?

All of us at Work It Daily personally believe that it’s priceless.

Owning your career change or job search process is a powerful thing, and we believe you can take control of that process and do incredible things.

Need more help writing a disruptive cover letter recruiters will love?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Tips For Staying Motivated During A FRUSTRATING Job Search

5 Tips For Staying Motivated During A FRUSTRATING Job Search

Let’s face it: job search can be challenging, and staying motivated during a frustrating job search can seem impossible sometimes. However, it’s critical that you stay positive. Otherwise, you risk falling into a downward spiral, which will only make things worse.


So, how can you get past your job search struggles?

Here are some tips for staying motivated during a frustrating job search:

1. Find Things You Can Get Excited About

What gets you excited? Think about your hobbies and interests. What do you do for fun in your life? Make sure you dedicate at least one day a week to doing what you love. This will help you get your mind off of the negative and focus on the things you enjoy.

Looking for a job shouldn’t take up all of your time. By customizing your resume for each position you apply for and writing disruptive cover letters, you won’t need to spend hours a day sending your job applications to a dozen different employers. Two or three will do.

For a strategic job search, quality is always better than quantity. It also means you’ll stay motivated, won’t get burnt out, and still have time to do the things you love to do. Balance is key!

2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You

Man on laptop stays motivated in his job search by talking to inspiring people

When you’re feeling down in the dumps, it’s important to surround yourself with positivity. Make an effort to meet up with positive influences in your life—your family, friends, significant other, and mentors. These people will help you stay on track.

Also, surround yourself with your “virtual mentors,” people who inspire you from afar. Whether they’re celebrities, successful business people, or authors, keep them “nearby.” Read their books or showcase their inspirational quotes. A little inspiration can go a long way.

3. Help Others

Friends help each other stay motivated during a job search

Helping makes us feel good! If you’re feeling bad about yourself, see how you can help someone else. Volunteer. Pay it forward. Give back somehow. This will recharge you and get you in a good mood.

Another way to help others is to provide value to your professional network, whether on LinkedIn or in person. Share articles, videos, or podcasts you find inspirational, informative, and insightful. Offer to help your connections in any way you can. Chances are, they will be more than happy to return the favor, and may refer you to an open position at their company.

Never help anyone with the expectation of receiving something in return, though! If helping others keeps you motivated and makes you feel grateful for what you do have, don’t stop doing it while looking for a job.

4. Get Some Exercise

Man goes for a walk after looking for a job

You’ve got to expel that negative energy! Make sure you take time to exercise daily. Take a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Lift weights. Just get GOING! Exercising equal endorphins and endorphins make you happy.

Don’t know where to start? Check out this quick and easy home workout!

5. Give Yourself Structure

Woman writes a list to stay motivated during her job search

Not having structure can make your life seem unstable. Create a plan for your week on Sunday nights. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you like to-do lists, write one of those too.

You’ll feel accomplished at the end of the week when you look back and see everything you got done while making time for yourself and prioritizing your career as well as your physical and mental well-being.

Staying motivated during a frustrating job search isn’t easy. We hope these tips will help you find the motivation to not only land your next job but also improve your career.

When everything feels overwhelming, just remember to work it daily! Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Good luck out there.

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.



6 Ways To Deal With Getting Laid Off

6 Ways To Deal With Getting Laid Off

For almost all adults, work is one of the primary features of life. Many people devote more than 40 hours every week to their jobs, so it’s not unusual for them to be stressed when they’re laid off.


For most people, it’s like being fired from their second home.

However, being stressed when you’re fired is a double-edged sword because you need to remain relaxed when searching for your next job. Therefore, we have prepared the following tips to help you relax and de-stress when you’ve been laid off:

Talk To Family And Friends

Being laid off from a job that you’ve had for years may cause you to become angry. If you’re angry about the way you were laid off, or any other aspect of your previous job, you should not keep these thoughts to yourself. Talk about this with your friends and family, and ex-colleagues, so that you can vent and let go of these emotions.

Also, take this as an opportunity to talk with old friends and rekindle old relationships. Now that you’re not busy with work, you have time to catch up with old friends to help ease the stress and fill the downtime. This reconnection may also lead to networking and help you find a new job.

Pursue Your Hobbies

Young professional woman pursuing her hobby of writing after getting laid off at work

Doing what you love is one of the surest ways to relax, and there is nothing better in that respect than to pursue your hobbies.

When you were busy with work, you may not have had time to do these things, but now that you’re free, you should use this time to work on your hobbies. Whether you like sailing or making miniature boats, you should do these things as a way to relax.

Exercise Daily

A group of men and women exercising in a gym

Physical exercise affects us directly by releasing endorphins in our neural system, which improve our mood and help reduce stress. Using exercise, you can also release emotions such as anger and disappointment. However, it’s better to control these emotions with the following tip: meditation.

Meditate Regularly

Young professional women meditating while doing a yoga exercise

There are many different techniques of meditation, and you should choose one that best suits you. Meditation is hard to define in a few words, but we can say that meditation is reconnecting with your true self by letting go of emotions that trouble you.

It can help you subdue any anger or disappointment you may feel due to being laid off from your previous job. Even if you never saw yourself as a person who would meditate, this will give you the opportunity to reflect on yourself, relax, and try new things.

Sleep And Eat Properly

Young professional man preparing healthy meals after being laid off from his job

Food and sleep are some of the very basic requirements of a healthy body and mind.

Make sure that you’re getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Take all your meals regularly, and eat nutrient-rich food rather than junk food. With proper sleep and nutrients, you are bound to feel better during the day and will be ready to take on the task of job searching with a clear mind.

Keep Yourself Entertained And Learn More

Young professional woman taking an online course after getting laid off from her job

If you take pleasure in watching movies, then you should watch your favorite movies once again. If you like to read books, then maybe you should pick a big book and immerse yourself in it.

You can also read about your hobbies and interests, and improve your body of knowledge about a subject. There are many online tutorial sites where you can learn about new topics.

Once you’re laid off, stress can come in many forms. It can arise due to anger, disappointment, aggression, powerlessness, or a mixture of any of these feelings. The trick to managing these emotions is by keeping yourself busy with other activities and by seeking social support from friends and family. Meditation can also help you root out these emotions, or at least reduce them to the extent that they do not trouble you excessively.

Need more help surviving a layoff?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Top 2 Reasons Why You Need A LinkedIn Profile

Top 2 Reasons Why You Need A LinkedIn Profile

“Do you really need a LinkedIn profile?” As a 20-year career coaching veteran, I get asked this question almost every day.


The short answer? Yes, you do need a LinkedIn profile.

Why? Well, here are two reasons why I think you should have a LinkedIn profile in 2023:

Why You Need A LinkedIn Profile

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @user30726650 2 reasons to setup a @linkedin profile in 2023. #careertok #jobtok #linkedin #linkedintips #linkedinprofile #jobs #jobsearch #joblife #careerhelp #careeradvice #career #job ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Reason #1

First of all, 840 million people and counting now have profiles on LinkedIn, which means there’s a 100% chance that somebody who works at the company that you’d like to work for someday is on LinkedIn. Now, why does that matter? Well, studies show that as much as 80% of all jobs are gotten via some form of referral. And if you’ve ever applied online and never heard back, you know what I’m talking about.

Applying online is the worst way to get hired. The best way to get hired is to know somebody who knows somebody who can get you in touch with a recruiter or hiring manager. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can do that yourself. You can reach out to somebody that works at your dream company and ask, “Who’s the best person to talk to about these types of jobs?”

Reason #2

The second reason you want to have a LinkedIn profile is for the purpose of background checks. Companies are going to look you up on social media. They’re going to see what you’re about. Having a LinkedIn profile that’s very professional, that describes your skills and experience, is going to be a great way for you to rank. Your LinkedIn profile will rank when somebody searches your name based on how many keywords (skills) you include on your profile. Recruiters will be able to find you. It’s simply a great way to put your best foot forward.

So for those two reasons (and for the fact that it can take you less than an hour to set up your profile), I think it’s so worth it to have a LinkedIn profile. We are all businesses-of-one. We’re service providers. We need to manage our careers. And if you’re a purpose-driven professional who wants greater career satisfaction, you’ve got to own that. Why not use a free tool to have more control?

Want to learn how to correctly set up your LinkedIn profile?

Sign up for my FREE Resume & LinkedIn Bootcamp today to learn how to update your resume and LinkedIn profile the way recruiters want!

How To Take Advantage Of Online Career Skills Courses

How To Take Advantage Of Online Career Skills Courses

There are a host of online courses available to help people level up in their careers or learn new skills entirely. But, to fully take advantage of online courses, you need to have your priorities in order and know exactly what you want to accomplish.


Some courses are offered for free, but there are also many that cost money. As you review available online courses and determine the ones worth taking, you may have to consider both finances and time constraints. Consider these four categories when choosing online courses:

Seeking Online Courses For Career Growth

Young businesswoman takes an online course to learn new career skills

Online courses that can help professionals do their job better are among the most valuable courses that you could take.

It’s easy to work in a role for a long time, but not grow in it. You can’t let that happen! If your career isn’t growing, it’s dying.

In order to make yourself an indispensable employee, it’s important to keep up with industry trends and constantly take inventory of the skills you need to do your job exceptionally well. Some companies will even pay for their employees to take courses or certification programs if the employee can prove it will help them do their job better and ultimately benefit the company.

As far as choosing the right online courses, it helps to write out the specific areas where you’re looking to upskill, and then research which courses check off the most boxes. LinkedIn Learning has a diverse course selection and the website Coursera has an extensive library of courses.

Beyond doing your job better and making yourself an indispensable employee, there’s a certain sense of satisfaction that comes with always trying to get better.

Gaining Skills To Make A Career Change

Young professional takes an online course on her laptop in hopes of changing careers

Breaking into a new industry as a result of a career change or layoff is never easy. One of the first major steps a person has to do is an assessment of professional skills. This is where professionals determine what skills they have that are transferable to the new industry, and what skills they’re lacking.

For example, a journalist looking to make a transition into marketing has important communication and writing skills that will transfer well into the industry, but would probably benefit greatly from a course or certification program in online marketing.

Just because a professional completes a course or certification doesn’t mean they’re qualified for the new industry. But, it may put them in a better position to secure a job interview, and it at least shows potential employers a willingness to learn.

If you were laid off and are unsure about your next career move, Work It Daily has free career quizzes that could point you in the right direction.

Gaining Extra Skills To Be A More Well-Rounded Professional

Man wearing headphones takes online career courses on his laptop at work

Taking courses to gain extra skill sets or to pursue an additional passion is a very advantageous position for professionals.

We all have interests beyond our careers, and sometimes our careers turn us on to additional interests. For example, a doctor with a passion for graphic design may take courses about how to develop a freelance business on the side.

Others may take courses to help transition into a new position at their workplace or climb the ladder at the company.

One of the best steps any professional can do is to get ahead of the curve and anticipate skills that they may need in the future. Taking this type of initiative will not only impress your employer but may also help you learn more about yourself as a professional to either excel at your current career or chart a new career course.

Taking Courses For Personal Enjoyment

Man and woman use laptop together to take online career courses

Not every online course that you take has to be career-related. Sometimes it’s good to just take a course for fun or personal satisfaction. The number of courses available online runs the gamut. You can learn a new language, sit in on online lectures from university professors, discover basic life hacks, and hear from prominent people about their success stories.

Expanding your knowledge base can make you a more well-rounded and happier person. This translates well into all aspects of your life.

Online career courses are only a piece of the puzzle. The path to true career growth is putting together a plan for success, and Work It Daily can help!

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Is Your Lack Of Confidence Holding Your Job Search Back?

Is Your Lack Of Confidence Holding Your Job Search Back?

Are you feeling defeated because you’ve done all you could do to attain a job, but have yet to land one? Examine your internal dialogue. Yes, put down the resume, halt the job search, and join me in this deep-dive exercise of exploring your thoughts…


What are your beliefs about your candidacy? What “vibe” are you transmitting during your phone interview, exuding through your body language, projecting with your attire selection, and reinforcing via your resume and cover letter?

If your lack of confidence is holding you back in your job search, try to think about the following:

Others can sense your lack of self-confidence.

Lack of confidence can be “smelled” a mile away. Negativity, cynicism, and a “poor-me” attitude is not attractive at all—no matter how you try to mask it.

While it may seem too simple and bordering on just “self-help” talk, the beliefs we hold about ourselves are fundamental in our success. The concept of reversing negative internal narrative seems simple; however, actually changing what you are thinking, feeling, and exuding is not—but it can absolutely be accomplished!

We guarantee that if you have lost the job offer, perhaps even during a second interview, the person who got hired sold their qualifications with more confidence, was more persuasiveness in promoting their value, and closed the deal (job) by assertively reassuring the employer that they were the best choice!

So, what are possible reasons for your hard-to-detect negative self-talk?

The following could fuel consistent negative beliefs about your value, your opportunities, and your expectations:

1. Shame In Losing Your Job

Woman staring out a window doesn't feel confident in her job search

No need to be ashamed. It happens to everyone at least once. We cannot control what happens in the world and often we cannot control events in our lives. Nevertheless, we CAN control our reaction to what happens to us and we can DECIDE to take action.

2. Internalizing Past Failures

Frustrated man loses confidence after experiencing failure

“Success builds character, failure reveals it.” —Dave Checkett

Enough said?

Well, just in case: judging yourself for past failures builds a false self-image and can impact your self-confidence. Understand that failure is a part of trying and that, while owning up to your failures nurtures intellectual and emotional growth, defining yourself by your failures does not.

3. Desperation

Woman on laptop lacks confidence in her job search

Understandably, if you have been out of work for a very long time, creditors are calling you, and your funds are now very limited, you can easily find yourself in a desperate-feeling place. Yet, we encourage you to adopt a new attitude.

Employers need you. So, while you are applying for jobs online, keep this in mind. Think about the value you bring as you write your resume and disruptive cover letter. You are a business-of-one. What service do you provide for an employer that makes you stand out from the competition? How will you make or save the company money?

By making this change to your mindset during your job search, you’ll come off as confident, not desperate.

4. Habit

Frustrated man on laptop doesn't feel confident in his job search

This is probably the number one reason we all do a little self-berating. We experience disappointment, become frustrated and angry, and sometimes need to justify what has occurred.

Make a conscious choice to be kind to yourself, coach yourself, and pay attention to what you could be saying to yourself—because negative beliefs can make their way onto the visible aspects of your job search.

Break the habit of talking negatively about yourself, and you’ll be surprised by how quickly your confidence recovers.

Begin Today To Change The Direction Of Your Thoughts And Job Search

No matter what strategic job search plan or interview strategy you have in place, if you cannot convince your prospective employer to hire you, your self-marketing tools are pointless.

You cannot sell what you do not believe in and you cannot energize others to believe in you when YOU lack that type of enthusiasm in your own services/skills. Confidence is—and has always been—the key to job search success.

Plus, it feels good to recognize how amazing you really are!

So, begin to take notice. Write down all the reasons why you believe your job search is not fruitful, what your weaknesses are, and why you think you are NOT the best candidate, and then eradicate that thinking. Replace it with positive self-talk and substantiate it with achievements. Ironically, exploring your negative dialogue and reversing it can lead you to discover your UVP (unique value proposition). This is what will get you hired.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Interview Questions That Make You Look DESPERATE In Your Job Search

3 Interview Questions That Make You Look DESPERATE In Your Job Search

There are some questions you should avoid asking in your first job interview. These interview questions make you look a little desperate. Why?


Because employers might think you want the job for the wrong reasons like you just need something temporary fast until you can find something better.

This is NOT the impression you want to give employers. Here are some interview questions you want to avoid during initial job interviews:

1. “How Much Does This Job Pay?”

While this is something everyone needs to know, it’s not something you want to bring up in your first interview. The purpose of the initial interview from the employer’s perspective is to get to know you as a professional, see how you can handle common situations related to the job, and ultimately decide if you’re a good fit (or could be).

Money is kind of like the elephant in the room during the first interview. Everyone is thinking about it, but no one is talking about it because it’s irrelevant at this point in the hiring process. Don’t bring it up until they do.

2. “What Do Your Benefits Look Like?”

Woman asks a desperate interview question

Again, this isn’t relevant at this point in the hiring process. The last thing you want to convey is that you only care about the perks of the job. Employers want to know that you’re excited about the opportunity itself.

If you’re only in it for the money and benefits, employers might worry that you’ll leave their company in an instant if you get another offer with better perks and salary. So, why would they waste their time and money on you to begin with?

3. “How Quickly Can I Get Promoted?”

Hiring manager looks at job candidate after he ask a desperate question in a job interview

You don’t even have the job yet and you’re already asking how fast you can get promoted? While you might think this question makes you look like a go-getter, the hiring manager might think otherwise.

You’re only in the initial stages of the hiring process and you haven’t proved your abilities to the company yet. So, for some employers, it would seem ridiculous to estimate how fast you’d be promoted. You haven’t even gotten a job offer yet!

We know how nerve-wracking a job interview can be, especially that initial interview with a company when you don’t know where you stand against the competition. If you avoid asking these three questions during an interview, you won’t appear desperate, even though you might be!

If you really are desperate to find a job or are just struggling in your job search, we can help.

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Connect With Potential Employers During Your Job Search

How To Connect With Potential Employers During Your Job Search

It’s hard to be passionate about a job when you have no connection to the company. How do you show enthusiasm in your cover letter and job interview if you don’t absolutely love what you’d be doing, or where you’d be doing it?


Fortunately, there’s an easy way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a company during the application and hiring process.

Here’s how you can make meaningful connections with potential employers during your job search…

1. Find Information About The Company

If you’re not totally excited about the company you’re hoping to get hired at, then it’s possible you just don’t know enough about them (or maybe they don’t belong on your interview bucket list). Before writing a cover letter, and especially before going in for an interview, you should always check out the company’s website.

Also, go to Glassdoor.com to see what past and current employees have to say about the company, and take a peek at their social media accounts. By doing this, you’ll get a better sense of their company culture and how they get involved in their community.

2. Reach Out To Current Employees

Man on laptop reaches out to connect with employees of the companies he wants to get hired at

Reaching out to the current employees of a company is the most direct way to form a connection with a potential employer. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy.

You should start a chat with current employees on LinkedIn to get an inside scoop on what it’s like to work at the company. And once you’ve connected with a person at the company on LinkedIn, you’ll feel a connection to the company itself by default.

3. Research The Company’s Values & Beliefs

Woman on laptop connects with a company while researching for her job search

A company’s core values and beliefs can greatly impact how passionate its employees are about their work. That’s why it’s important for you to know whether your personal values and beliefs align with the companies you’re hoping to get hired at.

In other words, would you be a good cultural fit?

This question is as important to you as it is to the potential employer.

While researching the company, before you write your cover letter or go in for an interview, you should try to find information on its values and beliefs as an organization. Maybe once a month the company volunteers in the community. Maybe a percentage of their profits go to causes you support. Maybe they’re dedicated to environmental sustainability in all areas of their business. Whatever the company’s specific values and beliefs are, they’re perfect opportunities for you to connect with them.

4. Create A Connection Story

Man on laptop writes a connection story in his job search

After you do all of the above, you should have an excellent idea of what the company does, who they are, and what they stand for. Now, it’s time for you to create a connection story to tell in your cover letter and in your interview.

Start by answering this question: Did something happen to you that made you respect, appreciate, or admire what the company does?

You could be a loyal customer of this company or a good friend of an employee. But if you didn’t already have that connection to the company or that passion for what they do, you have it now from your research and your conversations with current employees.

In your cover letter and in your job interview, talk about how you were, or are, affected by the products and services the company provides.

To create a connection story that will stand out to employers, you need to connect your personal story to the company’s mission. If you do this, you’ll write a disruptive cover letter and be memorable in your interview.

We hope these tips will help you connect with any potential employer you come across during your job search. You’ll probably become passionate about a company or employment opportunity you never considered before…it may just take a little research.

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Set Up A LinkedIn Profile (In Under 10 Minutes!)

How To Set Up A LinkedIn Profile (In Under 10 Minutes!)

First regarding all, it’s never also late to get began on LinkedIn. Second involving all, there are just four things you require to create your account in under 5 minutes.


This is what all those four things are…

4 Things A person Must Set Up Your own LinkedIn Profile In Below 10 Minutes

@j. t. odonnell Replying to @littledig77 How to set upward a LinkedIn profile inside under 10 minutes! #linkedin #linkedinhelp #linkedinhacks #linkedintips #howtouselinkedin #howto #workitdaily #jobtok #careertok ♬ initial sound – J. To. O’Donnell

1. Professional Headshot

Grab your current smartphone and some brilliant lighting and take a new picture of you through the shoulders program some sort of smile on your encounter. You need to look professional, however approachable.

2. Optimized Subject

Your subject is often the most important real property in your LinkedIn profile. Linkedin works like a research algorithm: people look regarding keywords about your ability sets, and if individuals are usually in your headline, anyone turn up at the best of the results. Therefore, pick five or 6 skill sets you make use of about the job and place them in your topic.

a few. “About” Section

Inside your “About” area, talk about the amount of many years you’ve been doing exactly what you’re doing (approximately 3 sentences). Then, write a single or two more phrases that roll up the experience and quantify just what you’ve accomplished .

some. Work History

You must only listing 15 a lot of work background (or less if if you’re still a young professional). Add one or a couple of bullet points for every of the jobs detailing what you got carried out while working there. Employers just want the details without having to gloss over through too much textual content.

Require more help setting upwards your LinkedIn profile?

I train a FREE Resume and LinkedIn Bootcamp . Within this hour-long course, you will learn how to enhance your resume and LinkedIn profile therefore you stand away to recruiters.

But the most crucial thing you need for you to know is do not wait . Linkedin is booming correct now and companies are usually looking for talent into it. It’s never been simpler to have noticed on LinkedIn. Therefore go set way up your profile today!