In a job search, you hear a lot of ‘can’ts’ and ‘don’ts.’
- ‘I can’t apply for that job.’
- ‘That company is too hard to get into. I can’t get an interview.’
- ‘I can’t get hired–I’m too old.’
- ‘I don’t have the right number of years of experience they’re asking for, so I can’t go after that job.’
- ‘The job posting says “Do not call,” so I can’t contact the hiring manager.’
I hear these things from job seekers and coaching clients all the time.
But here’s the thing…you can’t–until you do.
If you know that you could do a good job in that role, then go get it.
What if they say they want 10 years of experience but you only have 7? Go for it anyway. Lots of companies put together an ideal wish list that they end up not getting. They may compromise on any given point for the right person. (They may not, but you’ll never know until you try.)
What if the job posting says ‘Do not call’? Call anyway. Contact that hiring manager anyway. Until they’re writing your paycheck, they don’t get to tell you what to do.
(And besides, if you’re following the Hidden Jobs Finder, you’ll be contacting hiring managers whether or not they have a job posted–so you don’t know what their posting says.)
What if you think, “I can’t call that person in my network–it’s been too long since I spoke to them.” Maybe they’re thinking the same thing about you. How do you know they wouldn’t be glad to hear from you?
Whatever it is that you think you can’t do, do it. Try it. Ask the question. Make the call.
Silence the voice that says you can’t and do it anyway.