One of the greatest pieces of advice I have ever received about networking and job searching was to ask myself, "What is the worst thing that could happen", when faced with doubt or fear. The reason this question is so valuable is that it can help you put everything in perspective.
Spoiler Alert: The worst thing is simply being told, "no", or a variation on "not right now". There are way worse things than hearing, "no". But NONE of those things will happen during your networking event or job interview.
Too many times I see my friends and colleagues become paralyzed with fear or doubt as if putting themselves out there will result in death or an incurable cancer diagnosis. I always ask myself this question when I start getting weak knees and it is a great way to remind myself that hearing, "no", is not the end of the world or a condemnation of me as a person.
All of us at one point or another find ourselves in this position where we have heard "no" so many times that it can feel like no one will ever tell us "yes" ever again. When a friend of mine was laid off he was really fired up to get a new job, but after 9 months of hearing, "no", he was defeated; mentally and physically.
He was so afraid to get dressed up, print off a resume, and pitch himself to yet another potential employer, that he almost gave up completely. I asked him this question one night and it sparked something in him. It took him another 5 months to finally land a job.
I cannot guarantee you will get that job, land that promotion, score that coffee with the right person, but I can promise that when you stop hearing the word, "no", as a barrier and start hearing it as a challenge, it will change the way you approach your search.
+1, but you could've just said YOLO
I completely agree, fear of rejection is a powerful thing that must be overcome. one thing I've done when faced with a negative/frustrating experience is asked myself if I'll care about this in 2 years. if the answer's no, move on, if yes, I do something about it.
YOLO! hell yeah..
3 guarantees in life: 1. Death 2. Taxes 3. No job if you don't apply
Risk = worst thing that can happen*the probability of that happening
Worst thing that could happen is you blackball yourself everywhere by lying or being overly annoying or sending a stupid email that gets forwarded everywhere.
Just don't do those 3 and you're set
Thought that was understood. Maybe I should have qualified my post.
It should be understood at this level of the game. No qualification necessary.
whoa. which one was it?
Impossible is Nothing
Yea and don't be a try-hard. Most people, and especially higher-ups, can easily tell when someone's trying too hard in a conversation. Act normal, ask intelligent questions, and try to be personable. Showing off or over-complimenting is a huge turn off. At the end of the day, we all put on our pants the same way. Just relax and have a normal conversation.
Maybe I should have qualified my post with: "Unless you are a social moron that can't have a conversation."
Nella vita chi non risica non rosica. - Italian proverb - "In life without risk there is no reward"
I can appreciate the sentiment and good intention of OP, but doubt and fear are not always rational thoughts, and often you can't reason away what is not based on reason. Best thing to do IMO is to stop thinking and just act. Do instead of ruminate. Eventually you accrue enough cognitive ease that the thoughts of doubt and fear become immaterial.
I can certainly agree with this.
:) this website has a great community.
whoa. not very nice.
Worst thing? You could get sucker punched.
would prefer it if someone made me a self-help thread on how to deal with absolutely crappy ridiculous business schools and their asinine policies/people. to help justify why i'm unecessarily spending my summer at school instead of doing an internship.......
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