Unlocking Career Potential: The Art of Self-Belief

Lately, I've been confronting this with my clients.

What exactly?

Well...

Extremely competent clients. That do not believe in themselves.

Not acting like I've never been there before. I feel like even Rafa Nadal (probably greatest tennis player in history) has been there.

Short [but mighty] article today - promise.

Lately,

I've come across many who think landing their dream job is about just having a polished resume or a standout LinkedIn profile.

Tactical items.

Simple ones.

And while these are essential tools, they are far from the whole story. Real success in the job market often comes from an unexpected source for many - much expected for me:

Your mindset.

Your Image in the Self.

Yes you've read right.

In the case of a particular client - the journey has been one of persistence. Moving to Canada, he was ready to dive into the job market, armed with graduate degrees and a solid set of skills.

But like many others, he quickly found that simply applying for jobs wasn't enough. His efforts, although sincere and hardworking, were met with the all-too-familiar silence of unreturned applications and unsuccessful interviews.

There needs to be a shift.

Quick.

The Shift: From Doing to Becoming

Our first conversation was eye-opening for both of us.

When you consider you're out of reach, without the "right" background for certain positions, then that means you're focusing on the "doing". On experience. And not your expertise.

And if that is typically the case, it means that you're playing "their" game.

However, I when I talk with these clients, I see something different. I saw the potential of a professional ready to break barriers—not through more certificates or experience but through a powerful shift in mindset.

I asked this particular client a simple yet profound question:

"What if it’s not about what you have to do, but who you have to become?"

It’s a question that challenges the status quo.

Most job seekers focus on the tactical—what can be seen and measured. But the real secret sauce lies in aligning your self-image with your professional persona.

Building a Strategy Beyond the Resume

We always discuss the importance of crafting a career strategy that not only leverages current skills but also positions you as the ideal candidate before the first interview.

Some people call this niching in.

However,

I don't like using that term all too sparingly.

I like to thing it's more like an angles thing.

This involves more than just updating a resume. It’s about embodying the qualities of the job you want.

Just In Time Expertise.

For this client, this meant seeing himself not just as a job applicant but as a valuable asset, ready to solve complex problems and contribute meaningfully.

To guide him, I introduced him to a simple yet effective framework:

1. Mindset First

Start by redefining your image in the self.

Who are you professionally? Which is really a subset of the personal

This way, you get to understand your unique value proposition—not in terms of years of experience but in terms of the expertise you bring.

2. Strategy Second

Build a focused career strategy.

This one has to have your career, and your life at the center.

This isn’t about applying to as many jobs as possible; it’s about targeting roles that align with your strengths and aspirations.

And really getting to the people behind them.

Whichever way possible.

For this particular client, this meant narrowing down to positions that genuinely excited him and where his unique background could shine.

3. Tactics Last

Once the mindset and strategy are in place, then focus on the resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and interview preparation.

All-you-want.

By then, these tools become vehicles for showcasing a well-defined, confident professional persona.

The Real Game-Changer

It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of what everyone else is doing—endlessly tweaking resumes, applying to dozens of jobs, or acquiring more qualifications.

But the real game-changer is understanding that your career potential is not just about what you do; it’s about who you become.

It's about quality "hits" and not just volume.

By focusing on becoming the professional he knows he can be, he’s setting himself up not just to find a job but to find the right job.

The goal is simple:

To unlock the mindset that will not only land him a dream job but elevate your entire career.

Because when you align who you are with where you want to go, you don't just get a job—you get a life that aligns with your highest potential.

-Gonzalo

#mindsetshift #jobs #careers #personaldevelopment #emotionalintelligence