Affirmations Help Job Seekers Alter Their Beliefs About the Job Search

Consider the following colliding beliefs: 

• Money makes the world go ‘round… but money is the root of all evil.
• Knowledge is power… but ignorance is bliss.
• It’s the thought that counts… but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
• If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again… but get it right the first time.
• Better safe than sorry…but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Can you begin to see that what we are taught oftentimes conflicts with what we are taught? Below are a few more colliding belief examples that create one of life’s most interesting mysteries – what to believe and what not to believe – and how that directly affects the quality of life – personally and professionally: 

• Be yourself… but when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
• Pull yourself up by the bootstraps… but everyone needs a helping hand.
• Be realistic… but nothing happens without a dream first.
• Don’t judge a book by its cover… but you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
• Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing… but it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.

The study of beliefs is a fascinating study of paradoxes, contradictions, and dogmatism. From early on, we are introduced to hundreds, if not thousands, of these ‘colliding beliefs.’ We are taught not to talk to strangers, but then how do you network for a new job?  

Our brain does not distinguish between what is true and what is not true. It believes and affirms whatever is emotionally conveyed to it. A belief is merely a feeling of certainty we have about things that may or may not be true. For instance, a job search must be uncomfortable (a belief, not a fact). Networking is begging for a job (a belief, not a fact). And have you noticed that there are untold beliefs about how resumes must be prepared?  

A belief is a conviction we have that certain things are true – regardless of fact.  There are two types of beliefs: 1) Beliefs that can be replaced with more empowering beliefs and, 2) Beliefs that cannot be changed – true or not. This article will, of course, address beliefs that can be altered to better serve job seekers, coaches, and most rapid employment activities. 

Colliding beliefs

Colliding beliefs are most interesting because, in many cases, what we are taught over our lifetime conflicts (or collides) with what we are taught. And this conundrum presents very real problems for job seekers, especially when making important decisions.

We are taught that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but if we can’t be with the one we love, love the one we’re with. When diagnosed with a serious disease, we’re told that our life will never be the same again, but encouraged to live as normal a life as possible.  

Colliding beliefs are programmed into our brain at the deepest levels from birth, and conditioned throughout life. Furthermore, we’re introduced to new colliding beliefs daily. Take a stand, but don’t rock the boat. Too many cooks spoil the pot, but two heads are better than one. We’re  never too old to learn, but you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.  

No wonder most people are terrified of making decisions. No wonder most people are stressed out just getting through the day, never mind conducting a rapid employment campaign. No wonder most people are paralyzed when facing serious workplace situations – especially a job search.  

When we are continually introduced to a surplus of colliding beliefs, our brain becomes fried when trying to make decisions. Ultimately, fear wins out, success achievement is jeopardized or delayed, and deserved goals go unfulfilled.  

BUT… the ability to change beliefs is a gift only humans have been given

What are the beliefs of job seekers? It’s important for resume writers and career coaches to know the beliefs of those they work with. Do their beliefs serve them or hinder them? It’s important to 1) know the beliefs that drive job seekers and 2) inspire new beliefs when necessary. For instance:

• I’m too old or too inexperienced to land a good job. 
• I’ll never get a new job that pays the same as my previous job.
• Employers won’t check references.
• I can’t use color, pictures or graphics on my resume.
• I can exaggerate on my resume – everyone does it.
• Finding jobs online is the best way to land a job. 
• If I negotiate salary, I will lose the job and the company will hire someone else.

What are the consequences of maintaining these beliefs? More importantly, how do you help inspire new empowering beliefs for job seekers to achieve rapid success? 

Courageous affirmations recondition conditioned beliefs

A powerful way to reinforce a belief, or to establish a new one, is through the technique of courageous affirmations. Courageous affirmations is a technique I call “reinforced self-conditioning.”  When we use affirmations, we are conditioning – or reconditioning – new thoughts and beliefs to trigger a more empowered mindset – and achieve the results we want. Affirmations condition new beliefs that create new feelings of confidence and invincibility – which results in rapid success achievement. 

For instance, if a job seeker has the belief that if they are unemployed for more than a few weeks, no one will respect them. This is a conditioned belief. Moreover, this belief has associated emotions, which are dangerous and permanent, unless the belief is reconditioned into a new empowering one.  

For example: “If  I am unemployed for more than a few weeks, this means I am laying the groundwork for my better future… planting quality seeds for the ‘right’ opportunity. My next job is right around the corner. I am so thankful for my loving family and their support.”  

If a job seeker repeats this affirmation over and over again with high emotion, 30 to 50 times a day for just a week, their brain will begin to believe it. And where there’s a will… the brain will find a way!  

Once we have created our affirmation, we must repeat it 30 times in the morning, 30 times in the afternoon, 30 times in the evening, and 30 times before we go to sleep. Remember, the affirmation must be repeated with intense emotion and deep conviction. Almost instantly, we will begin to feel better, emotionally, even though at first, it will certainly seem a bit awkward. 

Tip

Create affirmations in the PRESENT TENSE. We state the affirmation as though we have already achieved what we want to achieve.  

Our brain responds best to present tense statements. They should also only include positive words that mean something to us. And when we memorize and ‘feel’ the affirmation, chances are that we will be saying it a LOT more than 120 times a day!

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Jack was turned down for a promotion. A long tenured employee with top rated annual reviews, this was the third time Jack was overlooked. After careful consideration, Jack left the company. 

He immediately began his job search. Jack was methodical in planning his departure, and how he would attract a new job. The only question was ‘how long would it take.’

Soon, Jack became restless and began doubting himself. His mind played out the worst-case scenario repeatedly. The voices in his head would not stop… ‘Did I make the right move by quitting my job?’ ‘Should I have stayed until I found a new one?’ ‘How much of my savings will I go through?’ He began to feel the fear.

With the help of his career coach, Jack wrote a courageous affirmation where, in the midst of fear and uncertainty, he began affirming that he already had what he wanted, before it happened. Below is Jack’s courageous affirmation that he repeated 30-40 times up to six times a day with deep passion and positive energy. 

Thank you, God. I love my new job as Director of Security, driving my new car to my new office, where I work with great people to make significant contributions. I am learning and growing from this experience.”

Just two weeks after Jack began his courageous affirmation regimen, he received his first job interview. And three and a half weeks later, he was offered the job he had hoped for. His courageous affirmation kept him centered and on track, even when forces tried to push him off track. He had faith and a new belief… that he would indeed land the job he wanted to live the life he and his family deserved. 

Finally:  Beware of the fake out

We cannot affirm, “Each and every day I am on my way to the perfect job,” if our subconscious mind is laughing at us saying, “No way, Jose. Ain’t gonna happen, bro!” But when our affirmation is repeated with high emotion, passion, and in the present tense, as if we are in possession of our desire today… We will begin the magical process of achieving or creating that desire tomorrow.

Beliefs matter. Most job seekers need your help empowering many new ones.