I wrote a newspaper column about fear and the number it can play when you’re looking for a job. Given the number of responses I received, it seems the subject hit a chord with a lot of readers. With that in mind, let’s continue the conversation about those times when your concerns are greater than your perceived ability to do something about them.
“I’m grossly overweight. Whenever I go to an interview I see the reaction on the employer’s face that tells me I’ve lost the competition before it’s started. Now I’m too embarrassed and afraid to set up networking meetings or interviews. But I need to work. What can I do?”
Reframe the challenge from I’m embarrassed and afraid to I’m taking charge by taking action. Here are actions you should actively consider:
A complete physical so you’ll know your starting point, underlying issues, behaviors to change, and ways to measure progress against your objectives. The more you know, the less you fear, the better able you are to make informed decisions that guide your actions.
Next, meet with a nutritionist who can work with you to develop an appropriately healthy, balanced, and sustainable diet. After you get the green light from your health care professionals, meet with an exercise physiologist or fitness trainer who can work with you to assess your abilities and develop a program that can measure your progress and meet your needs.
When you have all that going for you and you’re resolved to stay the course, you don’t have to wait until you lose all that weight to get your job search back on track. You can take action and set up those networking meetings and interviews right away.
Begin each conversation by describing how motivated you are to be working an exercise and weight loss management plan. By addressing the unspoken yet presenting issue quickly and emphatically, you’ve changed the conversation from one you’ve feared to one that is proactive and affirming. With that, you can move right into discussing the ways that you add value to the company where you work. By taking charge of your behaviors you’ve turned embarrassment into process and apprehension into action. Now stay the course.
“I’m afraid to compete against applicants who have four year degrees and there’s no point trying.”
You can stick with an attitude guaranteed to deep six your career aspirations or better, take action that will make you relevant and improve your competitive edge. Get yourself to your local community college and check out the offerings. You’re going to be pleased, relieved, and no doubt amazed at what is available to you, if you get it in gear and make it happen.
“I’m afraid that I can’t answer the interviewer’s questions.”
Well, you’re in luck with that one. All the answers are in your head. The only thing you have to do is locate them, organize them, and practice saying them so you’re coming across as proactive, problem solving, forward focused and positive. That takes resolve. Find it, get it, do it.
