Get Out Of The House
Ten reasons why some people are afraid of job hunting
By Felicia Brings & June Richardson
Few people consider job hunting a pleasant task, particularly when they’re also trying to change careers. The thought of venturing forth into territory where the only known factor is rejection can be intimidating.
Once given the opportunity to perform, most of us know we can do the job well. But the thought of trying to convince employers that our skills match new responsibilities can make us feel like imposters. We doubt ourselves and our abilities, and even begin to question past accomplishments, wondering if perhaps we’d exaggerated them or made them up altogether.
Our attitudes often go downhill from there. We marvel at the hubris we’ve displayed by suggesting that we can take on new tasks when we haven’t succeeded at old ones. We believe that we haven’t succeeded because if we had, we wouldn’t be out begging, would we? A desirable new job would have materialized as a natural extension of the old job, and a smooth, painless transition would have ensued. That we must now endure this humiliation is proof, squarely, that we’re useless, have failed in the past and cannot succeed in the future. We can’t even find a job, much less make a career change that will bring something more satisfying than what we’ve had. Or so we believe...
This is a familiar story of fear and self doubt. It’s easy to get caught up in a vicious circle wherein our self-doubts become self-fulfilling. We think we can’t possibly succeed, so instead of making the all-out effort that’s required, we make excuses. Those nagging doubts are what prevent many of us from searching for a truly challenging new job. Sometimes, those doubts can prevent us from even getting out of bed and leaving the house.
Age
(I’m too old.)
While discrimination based on age and sex certainly exists, it isn’t the prevailing workplace attitude. Many people recognize that with age comes the benefit of experience. Your attitude toward age will project which way you will be viewed. you can convince potential employers that it’s a plus, but you can only convince them if you believe it yourself. Substitute the work “experience” for “age” and remind yourself of how much more valuable you are to a company than most younger employees. You’ve done the job, you know how to do it, you can anticipate and avoid potential problems and you can teach others, to list a few of your better qualities.
Education
(I don’t have enough.)
Outside of certain specific professions, educational qualifications frequently are cited as a way of screening out candidates who are probably (but not necessarily) unqualified. Many employers will (once you get past the personnel office) recognize and accept experience in the field in lieu of advanced degrees. Use your network to arrange interviews and present yourself to others as highly capable and qualified. It’s up to you to highlight the value of your experience. If pressed, talk about your desire to earn a graduate degree. It sounds ambitious, and no one can hold you to it later on.
Skills
(They’re not up-to-date)
Maybe they’re not, but then maybe they are. You’re the one who’s assuming (even before you’ve investigated the situation) that your skills are inadequate. Besides, basic skills can be easily updated on the job. You probably can’t name all the skills you have simply because you haven’t identified what you do as being a skill. Have you been involved with scheduling, long-range planning or employee training? Have you written reports or made oral presentations? Have you motivated employees and helped them achieve work-related goals? These are skills. Talk about them, rather than the ones you don’t have.
Lack of Focus
(I don’t know what I want to do.)
It isn’t necessary to pay for an expensive battery of psychological tests to determine what kind of work you’re best suited for. Many excellent books are available in the library to help you evaluate your skills and interests, as well as what kinds of jobs require your unique combination of experience, interests and personality.
Lack of Clarity
(I can’t quite explain what I’m
looking for.)
Being able to identify and explain what you’ve done before (and enjoyed doing) will help you clarify what you’ll be able to do in the future. A clear, succinct resume (one that highlights your strengths and achievements) is a valuable tool in this regard. A good resume should identify where you’ve succeeded in the past, and will help illuminate the road you should take now.
Lack of opportunity
(There are no jobs out there.)
This certainly is the impression one can get when the job search is limited to scanning newspaper help-wanted ads. There are plenty of jobs out there, but the market has changed and so have the methods used to access it. Networking is your best bet for landing a new position these days. Don’t shy away from networking because of the discomfort inherent in asking people to help you find a job. use your network to gather information instead, and you won’t feel as though you’re putting someone on the spot.
Try, “I’m exploring employment opportunities in the health care industry and I’m wondering what your thoughts are regarding its long-range future?” or “What trends do you see in the metal products industry at this time?” Ask questions that engage people in conversation rather than invite a yes or no response (“Do you know anyone who’s hiring?”)
Salary
(I won’t get what I’m worth.)
Again, an assumption based on fear and self doubt. Find out the salary ranges for specific jobs at specific companies by reading trade journals or by using your personal network. Negotiation is an art that anyone can learn, but it does have its rules. Finding out what they are should be part of your preparation.
Rejection
(I can’t handle it.)
Yes you can, and must, if you’re going to embark on a comprehensive job search. Learn to distance yourself emotionally. You’re not being rejected as a person just because your skills and experiences don’t match the needs of every employer you encounter.
Interviewing
(I’m not good at it.)
You can become good (or better) at it with some practice and a little help from your friends or family. Have friends ask you to tell them about yourself. Then develop a brief (two minutes, maximum) response, in which you summarize and highlight your skills, achievements and professional goals. Practice until you’re comfortable with it and can recite it in a poised, natural manner. Find out what other questions a potential employer might ask, prepare positive responses and practice your delivery.
Environment
(I won’t like it there.)
Where? Anywhere! Why? “They” aren’t as nice as the people I used to work with. “They” won’t like me. “They” will expect too much. “They” won’t give me a nice office. Need we go on? Fear of the unknown is conquered only when the unknown becomes known. How can you make it known? By getting out of the house and back into the business world.
This article is reprinted by permission from the National Business Employment Weekly, © 1993, Dow Jones & Co. Inc. All rights reserved. For subscription information, call (800)Job-Hunt. |
