The Unemployed Life

Gigonomics: The Confidence Game

Mark Twain once wrote that the only things required for success are ignorance and confidence. If we humbly assume a good measure of the former, then the only thing needed for a successful job search is confidence.

Simplistic? Perhaps. But for those of us who awake each morning to face yet another day of launching resumes into the ethers and throwing ourselves at the mercy of old cronies or long-lost college cohorts who just might provide that magical, silver-bullet nexus of our LinkedIn fantasies, it can be difficult to crank up the old confidence meter to the appropriate level of chipperness. Each non-returned inquiry and “we’re not hiring right now” response is one more pinprick in the life raft of our confidence.

But let’s get real—sinking beneath the waves simply isn’t an option. That means we must meet each pinhole in the raft with a fresh wad of Double Bubble, chewed vigorously and confidently. Sure, you can hide in the closet now and then, shut the door, cover your mouth with an unused business suit and let out a primal scream or two. But then shake off the dust bunnies and get back in the living room.

“Everything you do, say, or write is a reflection of your confidence,” says Nick Reddin, business development manager for Manpower, one of the largest employment services companies in the world. “Your resume, cover letter, hand shake, telephone demeanor—everything should project that you are ready to take on the position you are applying for.”

In his position at Manpower, Reddin talks with hundreds of prospective candidates, both as an employment advisor and on behalf of employers. He says his instincts can tell when a candidate is been through the grinder and is starting to feel defeated.

“You can see it sometimes with older candidates,” says Reddin, “who have a bit of resentment for being in the position of looking for a job when they thought their experience would take them through the end of their careers.” Slumped shoulders, a tinge of resentment toward a former employer, a sense of going through the motions, all tell Reddin that a candidate lacks the superior confidence needed to push through an interview and grab the prize.

That view is echoed by other employment professionals. Writing in his Career Resources blog, Gary W. Capone, co-founder of Palladian International, an executive recruiting firm, says bluntly, “A loss of self-confidence may be the biggest obstacle to finding a job.”

Fortunately, confidence doesn’t have to be innate—it actually can be learned. Or at the very least, emulated. Meaning confidence has certain attributes that, with a little practice and self-awareness, you can adapt in your job search.

First and foremost: forget the past. Lose any bitterness you have about being let go from your former position—that stuff only weighs you down and puts bags under your eyes. The future is out there, and it’s going to be good. Yes, any day can be an emotional roller coaster. But faith is the basis of confidence, and confidence is often the difference-maker when you’re on the job hunt. So buckle up, Sally, and let’s ride.

Bragging is a good thing. It’s also definitely an art form and, like most creative skills, benefits from practice. When networking, writing a cover letter, composing a resume, talking with HR on the telephone, let everyone know how wonderfully competent you are, all the cool things you’ve accomplished, all the knowledge you’ve soaked up. Lay it on thick. Practice your chops by talking yourself up to your friends, your mom, your barista, your black mollies. Chat yourself up in the shower. You do that stuff often enough and you know what happens? You start believing it.

Obviously, it’s the one-on-one interview where the self-assured rubber meets the road. Here, a well-packaged sense of confidence can even triumph over experience. You know all the tricks—good eye contact, firm (not bone-crushing!) handshake, no fidgeting, slouching, underwear adjusting. For interviewing poise, however, practice is invaluable. If you need a little tune-up, try contacting a local job placement organization. For a nominal fee, you can schedule a practice interview with a skilled counselor who will help you sort through any rough spots and give you that final polish.

Certainly, there’s a difference between confidence and bluster. Confidence gets you out of bed for another go-round, keeps you out of the doldrums, makes you easier to be around in the day-to-day. If you don’t get Job One, confidence is what makes Job Two an even better prospect.

Just so you know, I’m rooting for you. For both of us. And I’m confident we’re going to make it.
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John Riha spent more than 20 years in magazine publishing including stints as managing editor of Traditional Home and executive editor of Better Homes and Gardens before being laid off in January. He now produces multi-media content, video, and, yup, is thinking about cranking out that novel. You know the one.

You can read all of John Riha’s columns here.

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Tags: finding a job, finding work, Gigonomics, job-hunting, out of work, The Unemployed Life