Conquering the Slopes of Job Searching - Interview with confidence

In the winter of 2011, my family and I had just moved to Denver, Colorado. The picture attached is from a memorable skiing trip during that time. Little did I know this experience would parallel my journey in job searching and overcoming fears in the professional world.

After a decade at Sun Microsystems, I found myself navigating the US job market, rusty in job searching and interviewing. As a mother of four, seeking an engineering manager role was daunting. I faced numerous rejections, each one a blow to my confidence. Yet, I was determined not to settle for less than what I knew I was capable of.

Recently, a woman I’m coaching shared her anxiety about job searching. Despite her success, the misalignment with her company's culture has pushed her to seek new opportunities. The fear of rejection in interviews is real, but it's a hurdle we all must overcome, especially when aiming for executive roles.

Here are strategies I've learned and applied, both in my personal journey and in coaching others:

1. Identifying Strengths:

Look Back at Achievements:

Reflect on past successes, both professional and personal. Consider what you did well and what makes you proud. This reflection can help you recognize patterns in your strengths.

Keeping a Success Journal:

Regularly document your achievements and positive feedback. This can be a powerful tool for self-affirmation, especially during challenging times.

Feedback from Peers, Managers, and Stakeholders:

Actively seek feedback from colleagues and superiors. Their perspectives can offer insights into your strengths that you might overlook.

Strength Assessments:

Consider tools like the CliftonStrengths assessment to gain a structured understanding of your innate talents.

2. Defining Your Unique Attributes:

Multifaceted Skill Set:

Highlight how your combination of technical skills and business acumen provides a unique advantage.

Global Perspective:

If you have international experience, emphasize how this enables you to effectively manage cross-cultural teams and projects.

Innovation and Entrepreneurial Spirit:

Showcase your ability to identify and act on innovative opportunities within your field.

3. Crafting Your Elevator Pitch:

Core Technical Competencies:

List your primary technical skills that are relevant to your desired role.

Proven Achievements:

Highlight key accomplishments that demonstrate your capabilities and impact.

Collaborative Leadership:

Include examples of your leadership experience, particularly where you have fostered teamwork and development.

Unique Attributes:

Mention specific traits or experiences that set you apart from others in your field.

Alignment with Career Goals:

Briefly outline how your skills and experiences align with your long-term professional aspirations.

Elevator Pitch Structure:

• Introduction (5-10 seconds): Start with a captivating opening.
• Core Strengths (10-15 seconds): Highlight your main skills.
• Proven Achievements (10-15 seconds): Showcase specific accomplishments.
• Unique Attributes (10-15 seconds): Emphasize what makes you unique.
• Alignment with Career Goals (5-10 seconds): Link your strengths to your career goals.
• Closing Statement (5-10 seconds): End with a memorable conclusion.

4. Building Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP):

• Write down your strengths, skills, and experiences.
• Identify your target audience and consider what value you can add to them.
• Craft a concise statement communicating your UVP, target audience, and the benefits you provide.

I have a Video that can help you identify your UVP .

5. Practicing Interviewing:

Apply to companies that might not be your top choice to practice interviewing skills. It’s like training on the beginner slopes before taking on the challenging runs.

• Start with companies that are not your top choice to gain experience.
• Treat each interview as a learning opportunity and a chance to refine your approach.

6. Handling Rejection:

Engage in activities where 'no' is a likely outcome. This could be as simple as negotiating in a store. It’s about building resilience to rejection.

Surround Yourself with Positivity: Diminish interactions with those who bring you down. Seek out and cherish those who uplift and believe in you.

Personal Care: Engage in activities that rejuvenate your spirit. For me, it was a day of skiing when the job search felt overwhelming.

Take Breaks: Recognize when to pause. Sometimes, stepping away momentarily can recharge your batteries and refocus your energies.

What strategies have you used to overcome the fear of rejection in job searching?

How do you maintain your sense of self-worth during this challenging process?

Remember, every ‘no’ is a step closer to a ‘yes’. Like mastering skiing, conquering job-searching fears takes practice, resilience, and the right mindset.

#WomenInTech #CareerGrowth #JobSearching #OvercomingRejection #Empowerment