Growing up, I was never aware of following my dreams or having the confidence to do something I wanted. At school, I was sent to meet Universities for a potential art degree, but I thought they had picked the wrong person. I believed I had no talent.
Later, I discovered a love of learning, and of all things, I did an MBA. Dare I tell you that I left school early, and at 30, this was my first foray into further education? I loved learning.
My career started in IT with training before venturing into sales and marketing. After that, I stayed in marketing but moved into manufacturing and then health and safety.
Luckily while in the manufacturing sector, I was offered the opportunity to retrain and jumped at the chance to do the ILM level 7 Executive Coaching certificate. I wanted to learn how to lead my team and work with my colleagues better.
As you can see, my career didn’t follow a straight line, and I think a lot of that was to do with confidence and low self-worth. If I could go back in time, I would have loved some support from a mentor to help me close the confidence gap and build my self-worth.
The confidence gap is a phenomenon that affects many people, especially those who are just starting out in their careers. It’s the feeling that you’re not good enough, feel like you are an imposter or don’t have what it takes to succeed. These beliefs can hold you back, from missing out on opportunities to not performing as well as you could. But there is a solution to this problem, one of which is finding the right career with the right company.
The question is, what career?
Hopefully, if you are reading this, you are thinking about a career in health and safety. Perhaps as a consultant or a trainer? I’m guessing you have a passion for the subject and wondering about how to go about it. So I’ve put some tips together for you. Before I get to the tips, it’s worth explaining that research has consistently shown that men tend to be more confident than women. But by how much?
Research By GeeHair in 2021 discovered this:
- Almost two-thirds of women are not confident in their ability to do their job.
- The majority of women do not believe they are intelligent (62%)
- Only 42% of men feel self-confident in their ability to do their job. This means that almost 60% of men are not confident in their ability to do their job.
- Just half of the men believe they are intelligent
Generally, it is said that men are more likely to believe in their own abilities and take risks. This confidence gap is evident in many aspects, from negotiating salaries to applying for jobs and promotions.
It could be that boys are often encouraged to take risks and assert themselves from a young age, while girls are taught to be polite and accommodating. Though this, of course, could be a generalisation. However, in my experience, it is true. This cultural conditioning can shape our beliefs and attitudes, and confidence levels.
What we do know is that the pandemic has done a lot to lower self-esteem and confidence. So let’s hope that 2023 is the year this changes and more people focus on what they want and then go after it.
Other solutions include individuals taking steps to increase their self-worth and confidence. So here are a few tips to get you started.
Key Tips For Closing The Confidence Gap
Identify Your Strengths
Reflect on your personal and professional strengths. Consider taking a strengths assessment test to gain more insight into what you excel at. For example, I love the Clifton Strengths Finder. It was helpful to me in identifying my strengths and made me think about how I could use them in my career.
Consider Your Values
Your values play an important role in your career satisfaction. First, consider what’s important to you, such as work-life balance, helping others, or making a difference in the world. Then, look for careers that align with your values to find a more fulfilling career.
When you are clear on your values, look at the values of the organisations you want to work with. What are their values, and how do these align with yours? In truth, you will only know when you start to work with them. However, it’s a great question to ask at the interview.
Explore Your Talents
Exploring your talents is key. What do you have a natural aptitude for? Don’t include things you’re good at but don’t enjoy doing. Instead, notice the things you do that delight you. Maybe you don’t do them often because you think you aren’t good at them. Do you use your natural talents every day in life and your career? Does it feel like you’re using them to fulfil your purpose? If not, it’s time to explore. Discovering your talent comes from looking at what comes naturally to you, asking others what they see as your talents and doing some soul-searching. Once you find your talents, knowing how to use them is easier.
What Are You Passionate About?
Everybody has passions: We’re passionate about hobbies, views, family, and work. In addition, we find passion in helping others and caring for children, the earth, and animals. However, passion and purpose are different. Passion pulls, and purpose drives.
Consider for a moment the roles you have had. Don’t think of job titles or functions. Instead, think of the times you did ‘things’ that made you smile, or your heart sing, where you added great value or left others with a fantastic experience. What do you feel when doing things that seem completely connected to who you are? When you are at your best, what are you doing? These are your passions.
Make Education A Priority
I was a late bloomer, but getting educated beyond my O levels was essential for closing my confidence gap. The more you know, the more confident you will feel about your abilities. Education gives you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen career. It also allows you to explore your interests and passions, which can increase self-confidence.
When you’re educated, you have a better understanding of your industry and the skills required to succeed. This knowledge can give you an edge in job interviews and stand out from other candidates. You’ll also feel more prepared and confident when starting a new job or taking on new responsibilities.
Education can take many forms, from traditional classroom learning to online courses and certifications. It’s important to find a style of education that works for you and fits your lifestyle. For example, you may prefer to take classes in person, or you may find online courses to be more convenient. Whatever your preference, it’s important to invest and prioritise your education.
Set Achievable Goals
Setting and achieving small goals will help build confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment. In addition, this will help you build momentum and make bigger strides toward your ultimate career goal.
Network
Build relationships with people in your industry, attend events, and join professional organisations. This can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insider knowledge, and develop a support system.
Seek Feedback
Ask for constructive feedback from peers, mentors, or supervisors to help you identify areas for improvement and build confidence in your strengths.
Visualise Success
Imagine yourself succeeding in your career goals. This can help you develop a positive mindset and build confidence in your abilities.
Celebrate Your Achievements
Yes! This is a big one. Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. This can help you build confidence and stay motivated.
Find The Right Career For You
In addition to education, finding the right career is essential for closing the confidence gap. When you’re working in a job that aligns with your interests and passions, you’re more likely to feel confident in your abilities. You’ll also be more motivated to succeed and more likely to take on challenges.
Finding the right career takes time and effort but is ultimately worth it. Start by exploring your interests and passions. Ask yourself again. What do you enjoy doing? What makes you happy? What do you feel passionate about? These are all important questions to ask yourself when considering a career.
Keep Investing
Once you’ve found the right career, it’s important to continue investing in your education and skills. Keep up with industry trends and developments, and take advantage of any opportunities for professional development or training. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and feel more confident in your abilities.
Surround Yourself With Supportive People
Find a mentor and surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals. This will help you stay motivated and feel confident in your abilities.
Having a mentor or a support system can provide guidance and encouragement, which can help boost confidence and provide a sense of community. Mentors can share their experiences and offer advice, while support systems provide a safe space to share thoughts and feelings.
Seeking out inspiring role models can help build confidence. Whether it’s someone in your industry or a public figure, having a role model to look up to can provide inspiration and motivation. It can also help shift your perspective and provide a different lens through which to view your abilities.
Believe In Yourself
Lastly, believe in yourself. Trust your instincts, take risks, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Remember that confidence takes time to build, so be patient with yourself and stay committed to your career goals. Even if you follow the wrong career path or choose the wrong company, this is all learning and skill-building. If this happens, look at what you learned and make a new plan.
Where To Work?
Choosing the right employer is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your career and personal life. There are many factors to consider when evaluating potential employers, including company culture, compensation, benefits, opportunities for growth and development, and work-life balance. Unfortunately, an employer with the wrong culture can quickly undo all your good work. So it’s important to make the right choice. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when choosing an employer.
Company Culture
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an employer is company culture. An organisation’s culture can impact your job satisfaction, ability to fit in with coworkers, and ability to grow and develop professionally. Consider researching the company’s values, mission statement, and social media presence to get a sense of the company culture. Additionally, try to speak with current or former employees to get a sense of their experiences working at the company.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits are important factors to consider when evaluating potential employers. Consider researching the average salary and benefits package for your industry and level of experience to ensure that the company offers competitive compensation. Additionally, consider the value of non-monetary benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation time.
Opportunities for Growth and Development
Opportunities for growth and development are important factors when choosing an employer. Look for a company that offers training, mentoring, and career development opportunities to help you grow and advance in your career. Additionally, consider the company’s track record of promoting from within and the opportunities for advancement in your specific role or department.
Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is an important consideration for many job seekers. Look for a company that offers flexible scheduling, remote work options, and a healthy work-life balance culture. Additionally, consider the workload and demands of the position and whether it is feasible to maintain a healthy work-life balance in that role.
Reputation and Stability
The reputation and stability of the company is another important consideration when choosing an employer. Consider researching the company’s financial stability, industry reputation, and history of layoffs or other organisational changes. Additionally, consider the company’s growth potential and the potential for long-term employment.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose an employer that fits your professional and personal goals.
Good luck with your career.
