When it comes to progressing in your career, you’ve probably heard of the phrase ‘Fake it ‘Til' You Make It’ to get where you wish to be. While you may be relying on this technique to get through both your personal and professional life, it shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all. When it comes to landing a job role, the ‘fake it ‘til' you make it’ attitude is still very much relied upon by many candidates, but is it worth it and is it effective? In this blog, we’re going to take a look at what the trend is all about and whether you can use it to your advantage during the job search. What is ‘faking it ‘til' you make it?’ ‘Faking it’ isn’t about admitting you can do something you’re not qualified to do as this could land you in serious issues with your potential employer and potentially even ruin your career. Instead, it’s more about taking a shift in attitude by boasting positivity and confidence, rather than displaying an introverted persona and focusing on the skills you lack. By practicing this way of thinking, you’ll train your brain to believe you believe you have this newfound attitude. How do you successfully ‘fake it’ til' you make it’? As mentioned, this phenomenon isn’t about lying about skills and qualifications to get a certain job, which we strongly advise you never do, but the way in which you present yourself to give you a better chance of securing the role. Here are just a couple of tips that may come in useful:
· Get rid of a negative mindset
When you are severely lacking in confidence and feel as though you are unable to do something, there’s a high possibility that you won’t. Therefore, you need to change your thought pattern into a more positive outlook to grow your confidence and enable you to take on whatever life throws at you.
· Act confident
Even though you may be an introvert, ‘faking it ‘till you make it’ heavily relies on confidence. If you truly believe you simply cannot do something, it is destined to show in your facial expression and body language, which ultimately convinces others that you’re perhaps not suited for the role. Embracing positive body language, on the other hand, will give off the opposite impression and could swing in your favour.
· Dress for the job
Most companies will have a dress code when it comes to attending interviews, but if not, it would be wise to use your intuition to dress appropriately for the nature of the role and the company. When you’re well-dressed, you’ll not only feel more confident in yourself but also gives off the impression to the employer than you ‘mean business.
‘Faking it ‘til' you make it’ isn’t about being your unauthentic self but making the most of what you have to offer. As long as you have the correct incentive, this attitude can turn your dreams into a reality.