4 Tips to Be an Assertive Job Seeker

4 Tips to Be an Assertive Job binnenseeker4 Tips to Be an Assertive Job SeekerWhen you boil job searching down, the whole experience looks a lot like this you go after what you want and explain why you, in fact, deserve it.Lets face it- that can be intimidating for anyone, but especially if youre someone who doesnt consider yourself to be naturally assertive or self-assured.But, when its up to you to point out all of the reasons youre worthy of that job youre so eager to land, you dont really have a choice but to hold your chin high, take a deep breath, and prove that youre in the right spot.Sound impossible? We promise, its not.Here are four tips to help you be a more assertive job seeker, even if your personality is the exact opposite1. Know your value.Feeling confident when youre on the hund for a new gig can be challenging. However, it becomes a whole lot easier if you have a solid grasp on all of those positive things and beneficial qualities that you bring to the table.Before d oing anything else in your job search, sit down and list out all of those competencies that make you qualified for the types of roles you want. Maybe youre a total Excel whiz or perhaps you pride yourself on your ability to build relationships and close sales. Write it all down- and then make sure you incorporate those things into all of your materials, from your resume to your LinkedIn profile.By developing your own value proposition before applying for another single job, youll bolster your confidence and remind yourself that youre more than deserving of a great position- which will help you be a little more assertive and self-assured when your next interview rolls around.2. Skip the mushy language.What are some qualities of people who are assertive? Theyre confident, theyre direct, and theyre well-spoken. For that reason, youll want to cut out as much soft language from your vocabulary as possible.What do we mean by soft language? Things like sort of, kind of, and might fit the b ill. These words serve to weaken your message- especially in an interview situation- and make you appear as if youre filled with uncertainty.For example, instead of sayingI sort of have some Photoshop experience from a team project that I worked onYou would say something likeYes, I do have some Photoshop experience, mostly from when I worked on an updated marketing brochure in my last position.See what a difference that makes? Make a conscious effort to speak in a clear and direct way, and youll come off as far more decisive.3. Leverage your network.Being assertive in your job search doesnt always have to look like puffing up your chest and never letting a hiring manager see you sweat. Assertiveness can also involve enlisting other people to help in your quest for a new role.Send personalized emails to some of your contacts to let them know the type of position youre looking for and request that they let you know if they hear of something. Or, if you have an acquaintance who works i n your desired field, ask if you could take her out for coffee and find out about her own unique experience.Put simply, assertiveness involves proactively going after the things you want- and, theres no shame in relying on your network to help you do that. In fact, its smart.4. Be honest with yourself.When youre actively job searching, youre going to have to put yourself in some situations that make you a little uncomfortable- its just part of the process (hey, nobody feels totally confident in a job interview).However, dont confuse this idea of being assertive with needing to maintain a facade that isnt at all true to you. Yes, there are some things you can and should do to really put yourself out there and work toward getting the sort of job you know you deserve, but authenticity is still important.In the end, being true to yourself and what you know you want out of your next opportunity will make you far more confident than any other tip or hack. Plus, that honesty will also help you find the right job and the right company that values you for exactly who you are.Start Your Job Search