If you look back on your life and take a moment to think about the moments that you consider to be real highlights and moments of accomplishment, both professional and personal, we’re absolutely certain you’ll recall feelings of fear in the run up to all of your achievements.
And why, you might ask, is this of any relevance to an article written to support job hunters in accountancy practice?
Because in this article we want to remind you that fear is not a reason to shy away from applying for a job. In fact it’s the total opposite.
Without fear, there can be no true progress.
So today we want to encourage you to embrace feelings of fear as you embark on your search for a new challenge in practice. If you don’t encounter those feelings, then you’re either not aspiring to win a job that you’re worthy of, or you’ve got a bit too big for your boots.
So feel the fear. And do it anyway!
Here’s a few common moments when fear can derail your right to secure an amazing new job as an accountant.
1. The Job Advert
We’ve all been there. The job title looks like something you’re ready for. The person specification sounds just like you. But you spot a tiny detail on the job description that stokes those feelings of fear. Let’s use an example; maybe a Tax Senior role mentions R&D and that’s not something you’ve had much experience of so you let go of the feelings of excitement about that job and resign yourself to a few more years of becoming ready.
Wrong answer.
If you’re not skilled in one tiny aspect of the job description that’s your challenge to show the recruiters that you’re a brilliant learner and that you won’t struggle to pick up the skills required in a short period of time. Focus on the very many skills that you do have and how you can blow the recruiting managers away with those.
Concentrate on getting one foot in the door, take it one step at a time and don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed by mental images of you doing the job. Cross that bridge IF you get to it!
2. Your Pre-Interview Research
Comparison is the thief of joy and it’s so easy to hit LinkedIn or the recruiting firm’s website and decide that you’re not up to the job compared to the pictures of other professionals with long lists of skills and qualifications.
Feel the fear and do it anyway remember – you could be on that website in a year’s time! Keep moving in the right direction and get your head down with the important process of preparing to blow the interviewing panel away as the perfect person for the job. If you find yourself falling down a rabbit hole of not being good enough, step away and give yourself a kind, but firm talking to.
3. On The Day
Let us reiterate, if you’re not feeling fear before you step into an interview room, something is wrong! But the key is to harness that fear and turn it into progress.
Stay calm, use breathing exercises to steady yourself as you wait; in for 4 and out for 6.
And when the interview begins don’t be afraid to let your interviewers know that you’re feeling a little nervous. They are human too and they will be impressed that you care so much and are human too, so will support you to succeed.
It always takes a few moments to find your stride and if you need to take a few breaths to consider the answer to a question, that’s fine.
4. When the offer comes through.
It’s perfectly normal to feel elation when you get offered the job followed by a moment of panic where you wonder how on earth you’ve won it! Imposter syndrome can sneak in and you question whether you do in fact have what it takes to be in this job.
Feel the fear. Acknowledge it. Then kick it to the kerb and do it anyway!
You’ve won it, you deserve it and you will be great at it in time. As long as you have a great attitude towards continued professional development you’ll be just fine.
So remember, feelings of fear during the process of pushing your career to the next level are 100% normal and a true indicator that you’re moving in the right direction. Fear is progress!
If we can help you harness your fear into momentum to create progress in your career, we’d be delighted to offer you a 100% confidential and no obligation call. Career counselling is a big part of the service we’re proud to provide.
