Insecurity, Job Search and Your Career
This quote really struck me; I see the effects of insecurity constantly in my coaching practice.
Insecurity is insidious, it sidetracks a Job Search, interviews, negotiating; the whole process. It doesn't stop there.
Insecurity continues into a new career and can slow or even halt career development.
I won't even go into how it can hinder and sabotage a personal life.
So what to do? Lots of ideas around this, but learning how to cope is Step 1. Building on small wins as a start, notice when you didn't feel insecure - and identify what made you feel secure.
Step 2: Model traits and habits of people that appear secure (though they might feel just as insecure as you do - they are better at masking it).
Above all, work on "root cause analysis". An engineering way to say, what's causing your feelings of insecurity. This can be a long process and might go deeper than just coaching.
If you're feeling it, and it's affecting you - reach out; don't let it fester and grow. Talk to someone about it and confront it.
A great resource is Amy Cuddy's book Presence.
It's a great read on how to confront Insecurity along with short term and long term solutions.
To get a feel, her TED Talk is terrific. I recommend her work especially during an active job search, it can really help with interviewing and more.
Just remember : you are stronger than your insecurities.
I'm a certified Career Coach, long time Silicon Valley Recruiting Leader and lead Job Search, Career Development and Career Success programs at the Wharton Executive MBA Program in San Francisco. I also coach through HireClub.
If you’d like to discuss the ideas in this post or other areas where Coaching might help - I’d love to share. All initial sessions are free and we dive right in. There is never any pressure or push.
My email is mike@mikecoach.com.