“I’m not good enough”: Overcoming limiting beliefs during the job hunt

Imagine waking up one morning and seeing the job opening of your dreams. It’s as if it was written just for you. However, when you come to apply for it, a voice inside you murmurs: “What if I’m not good enough?” It’s the voice of your limiting beliefs. Those thoughts that prevent you from going outside of your comfort zone and keep you from reaching your full potential. Through examples, exercises and practical advice, learn to identify, deconstruct and transform these limiting beliefs into a recipe for success.

What is a limiting belief?

A limiting belief is a thought or an assertion about yourself that you consider to be an absolute truth. It lacks tangible evidence and may even be to the contrary, however, it remains ingrained in your mind. This belief ends up shaping your reality and influencing your behavior.

For example, say you finish school and set out to find your first job. To do this, you navigate the myriad of job offers, armed with your resume. Yet, despite having solid qualifications, you can’t stop thinking that you’re not cut out for any job, that you lack experience, and that recruiters will hire someone who’s more competent than you. If you then experience rejection (which is completely normal), this negative belief starts to take hold.

Here, you’re at a crossroads between two scenarios:

Scenario 1: You allow yourself to succumb to your doubts and crumble when answering vital questions during the job interview. You then make mistakes and the coveted job disappears before your very eyes. Your limiting beliefs will have overwhelmed you.

Scenario 2: You realize you’re being held back by unfounded beliefs and decide to address them. You consequently gain confidence by displaying assertiveness to the recruiter, and you maximize your chances of landing the coveted job.

Of course, everyone would prefer to embrace the latter scenario, but it’s easier said than done. The reality is that tackling your limiting beliefs is a process. So, what steps do you need to take to gain confidence?

Step 1: Identify your doubts

Your first mission for overcoming your limiting beliefs is to recognize what psychologists call “repetitive negative thinking.” Behind this term lies the idea that your brain has the annoying tendency to become a broken record for negative statements. Depressing, right? All the more so because you’re often not aware when your mind has gone into “I’m a failure” mode. These thoughts are triggered by specific events such as a rejection after a job interview, which then start to take hold.

Talk to yourself: A limiting belief acts like an inner bully that targets anything that’s not going right – like a little mean voice constantly belittling you. “When you hear this voice inside you, talk to it,” says Magali Digne, a certified professional coach. “Say something like: “That’s fine. I hear you. Thank you for your warning, but I disagree. You won’t prevent me from making progress!” Addressing this ‘inner bully’ frees you from this self-sabotaging strategy.”

Write down what you feel: Another technique for flushing out negative thoughts is to take to your pen and jot down your thoughts on a piece of paper. “Write down these negative thoughts that are swirling around your mind on repeat - especially after a failure or a rejection,” says Digne. “If you spot a pattern systematically undervaluing your skills, you’re probably looking at a limiting belief.”

Stay true to yourself: Recognizing your limiting beliefs often requires you to confront uncomfortable truths. So, accept your negative emotions! This doesn’t mean resigning yourself, but rather acknowledging that these beliefs exist – in a non-judgemental way. As a result, you create a mental space for change.

Step 2: Challenge negative thoughts

Once your limiting beliefs have been identified, go on the offensive. To challenge them, scrutinize your thoughts by asking yourself where they come from and whether they’re a reflection of reality. “Keep in mind that there isn’t just one truth,” says Digne, “It’s often our perception of things that limits us.”

Identify the origin of your beliefs: go back to the source of the problem. Ask yourself: “When did I first think this?” Are these beliefs the result of personal experiences, external influences (family, friends, media) or past failures?

Examine the evidence: For each limiting belief, ask yourself if there is any concrete proof to back it up. You’ll often see that these beliefs are based on subjective views rather than objective facts. For example, “I thought I wasn’t qualified for this senior-level job, but in actual fact, when I analyzed the job description and compared it with my past experience, I realized I’d already done similar assignments.”

Identify counterexamples: Look for situations where you’ve succeeded despite your doubts. These examples can serve as proof against your limiting beliefs.

Value your successes: Make a list of your accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. This can include acquired skills, challenges you’ve overcome, or simply moments where you’ve acted differently to what your limiting beliefs would have dictated.

Step 3: Foster self-confidence

You’ve identified the problem, you’ve challenged it. It’s now time to deal the final blow by turning that limiting belief into a positive affirmation that reinforces your confidence and self-esteem.

Formulate alternative beliefs: For each limiting belief, formulate a positive and empowering belief that replaces it. For example, replace “I’m not qualified enough for this job” with “I possess unique skills which qualify me for this post and I’m capable of learning to fill any gaps.”

Visualize success: Imagine triumphing when it comes to your next professional challenges. By projecting positivity, you create a detailed mental image of yourself excelling in settings which would have previously seemed off-limits. You then start to internalize the possibility of success. It’s the first step for gaining confidence and changing your habits.

Common situations to watch out for

Knowing the theory behind overcoming your limiting beliefs is great, but nothing beats practice! Here are a few examples frequently encountered when looking for a job that illustrate how to effectively deconstruct your mental barriers.

“I’m not cut out for this job”

The situation: You refrain from applying for managerial positions, convinced you’re not cut out for leading. All because one of your managers once told you that you’re better in operational roles than in leadership ones. However, since then, you’ve convinced yourself that he was right.

Examine the evidence: Objectively analyze your real skills and experience. List your professional achievements and the positive feedback you received from colleagues and/or superiors. Then, evaluate the skills you possess and compare them to the requirements of managerial job openings that interest you.

Form a positive belief: Tell yourself something like “My operational skills are a solid foundation for leadership, and I’m capable of developing my managerial skills to become an effective leader.”

“I’m too shy to network”

The situation: You’ve heard that networking is key during the job search, but you think you’re too introverted to effectively do this. You (wrongly) think that your character prevents you from making a good impression.

Examine the evidence: Note the times when you successfully made meaningful connections – even in informal settings. By asking those around you, you realize you’ve built countless relationships despite your supposed shyness. You just hadn’t realized that the issue is “networking” because the term resonates negatively with you. “In such cases, don’t hesitate to change the vocabulary you use to tell a different story,” says Digne. “For example, if networking evokes formality, stress, or if it doesn’t reflect the way you wish to interact with others, replace the term with something that better aligns with your approach and value”.

Form a positive belief: “My approach creates long-lasting and meaningful relationships.”

“I’m not skilled enough”

The situation: While looking at a job offer that seems perfect for you, you’re discouraged by the long list of skills and expertise required. You start to doubt your qualifications, fearing you don’t meet the recruiter’s expectations.

Examine the evidence: Think about the times you’ve faced tasks that you didn’t truly master to begin with. Note how you acquired the necessary skills to overcome them.

Form a positive belief: “I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying. Even if I don’t meet all the requirements right now, the simple act of applying is a proactive step towards my professional development”.

“I’m too old to change careers or apply for certain positions”

The situation: You wish to apply for an exciting job, but you don’t dare do so because you think your age is a major obstacle.

Examine the evidence: Evaluate your experience and the wealth of skills you’ve developed over the years. Think about the times where your experience had a decisive edge. You have a broader perspective and an ability to handle complex situations with wisdom.

Form a positive belief: “My maturity is a major asset that brings added value to the position. I’m capable of adapting and proving that age is not a barrier. In fact, it’s quite the opposite”.

You’re now ready to break free from the chains of your limiting beliefs, those devious voices running around your mind, claiming to protect you while actually luring you away from your true ambitions. Keep in mind that the path to success is not linear, it’s littered with doubts and barriers. However, the result will be renewed confidence, not just when applying for the job of your dreams but also for embracing all of the new opportunities that your professional life can offer.

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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