Do you believe what you are saying?
Do you believe in the value that you offer?
Do you believe that you can make a difference?
Do you believe that your target employer should hire you?
What was your honest, gut response to these questions? Was it a confident and resounding ‘yes’, a hesitant, ‘I think so’, or an anxious/resigned, ‘no’? First, know that wherever you are on this continuum is ok. The most important thing is to locate yourself on it and simply recognize it as your starting point. I recently wrote about the importance of the stories we tell ourselves during the job search, and how they can impact what we believe. I realize that in addition to the content of our beliefs, the strength of our beliefs can significantly influence how we move through the world and how we show up in both our personal and professional lives. The question, ‘Do you believe your own hype?’, is not about whether or not you have an over-inflated self-perception, it’s about how confident you are in your beliefs.