Enter the ultimate pessimist. The job seeker who doesn’t think they’ll get the job anyways, so they put together a lazy resume, write a two sentence cover letter, send it in and hope – but expect – they won’t get an interview. Of course they won’t get the interview.

Pessimism is kryptonite for a job search. (I had to google how to spell kryptonite) It just sits there – not harming normal working humans, but once you try to step up to be your own superman it can kill your confidence — and your search.

I invite you to shut it up. Shut up the little voice inside saying all the excuses of why you won’t be successful. I’ll give you a few so you have a head start:

1. There’s too many applications for mine to stand out
2. I don’t have the number of years of experience they are looking for
3. I hate writing cover letters
4. I only have a FILL IN THE BLANK degree
5. Recruiters don’t read resumes anyway
6. What’s the point
7. Blah blah blah

Shut it up. Why? The ONLY way people are successful in job searches and find something that fits is when they put themselves first and gain enough confidence and motivation to put time and effort into their application. Turn the excuses around:

1. There’s going to be a lot of applications for this awesome job so I’m going to have to stand out
2. I don’t have the exact number of years of experience they are looking for – but I should emphasize all this great unique work I did HERE doing THIS – they will love that!
3. I hate writing cover letters, but I have to, so I will give it all I got to write a good one
4. I made a choice in undergrad to major in history and it’s given me ALL THIS
5. Recruiters tend not to spend much time reading resumes so mine has to be awesome.
6. I am a perfect match for this job
7. Blah blah blah

Shut it up —- and enter in your confidence. Battle the self talk and win.