Confidence, the best outfit you’ll ever wear

Confidence is not something that we are born with. It is something that we develop throughout our lives. Our belief in ourselves, our self esteem. being told you are good at something is always nice and a great boost to your self-confidence.

Confidence comes from the latin word “fidere” which means to trust, therefore having self-confidence is having trust in oneself. It is important in both of our personal and professional life.

In recruitment, you have to be confident with candidates and clients. Especially when cold calling and presenting your self for the first time to a new client. If you are not confident, then you better get used to being rejected. But don’t be cocky either cos that’s just annoying.

I know I am good at what I do so that gives me confidence. Wasn’t always that way though, my first job in  a gym in London was on reception and I would eat my sandwich while lying on the sunbed rather than sit with the rest of the staff in the clubroom. Two things there – never use sunbeds, they are so bad for you and don’t eat lying down, that’s not good for you either! They were all superfit and supercool and had been working there since it opened. I wasn’t confident enough to sit with them. Now I talk to anyone about anything.

At Job interviews it is the No.1 tip to bag that job. Employers like confident candidates. If you are confident that you can do the job and present yourself as so, the job is yours.

Of course skills and experience are important but confidence helps to get you there faster. The best ways to show that you are confident in a job interview are:

Eye contact – make sure you look your prospective employer in the eye (but not in a creepy way)

Smile – this shows confidence. Again make sure its not creepy and not frozen into  a grimace

Handshake – this has gotta been firm – no-one likes a wet fish or a sweaty palm. This may be the first and last time you touch your boss so make sure you practise your handshake

Body language – has to be open not closed. No arms crossing or hunched shoulders. Do not fidget.

Talk slowly and listen, do not interrupt. Nod and smile to show you are listening. Think about the answers you give to their questions. Also do not be afraid to ask them to clarify the question if you do not fully understand, much better than answering incorrectly.

Also try not to slag off your last company or boss in your interview. This may work against you.

So all well and good. But how do you become more confident? A few things you can try:

Exercise, smile more, do something that scares you – facing up to your fears is a great way of boosting your confidence, accept compliments and believe in yourself.

Good luck with your next interview. Hope this helps.

Namaste