I have a lot of weaknesses! Seriously, they are nigh on impossible to count, they are that vast and wide! I’ve been reflecting today on why I feel so overwhelmed at the moment, part of it is being in a new country, having no car (although this is great 90% of the time, but today when it was over 100 and I was stuck 2 hours walk away from “home” with no bus, it was a tad tough!), not having my own place, needing a job, applying for jobs 24/7, trying to exercise and restore the equilibrium I lost, being separated from my family, no time in the countryside, the horrendous weather with no air conditioning (it was 124 inside today…), but the truth is none of those would be the real reason I’m overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed because I often think, when it comes to hard things that I can’t do it. Take care of dying children, live in a tiny room in a city with no other westerners, be a street “angel” with the homeless all through the night handing out food, water, slippers etc, foster/adopt, be a hospital visitor and hold the hands of those dying alone - any of those I don’t view as hard, to me love just gets you through, it motivates you to keep going so you do, there is no other option but to just love. But when it comes to jobs, feeling qualified and thinking you are the “right person” well that, I 100% struggle with. The truth is I do not feel qualified, strong enough, knowledgeable enough, good enough to do any of them. Tonight as I’m prepping for my interview tomorrow, I read some of the “essential criteria”; I don’t meet many of the more specific criteria listed, so I have no clue why they decided to interview me, especially because theses are not the type of requirements you could just study for a few days and know, they require experience, teaching and time. Sure I have many of the other skills, I’ve managed change, written policies, facilitated training, lead in governance but could I tell you the particular policy for registration, no! Do I have the skills to hit the ground running, educate myself and lead effectively. Probably. Maybe.
Many friends have told me when they are job searching, they feel like they are the best candidate on the planet, that they have so much to offer, that the employer would be a “fool” not to hire them; they admit they go in to the interview certain they are the best even if they don’t have many of the skills/experiences required. I am 100% the opposite, tonight I’m thinking maybe someone else needs the job more than I do (and let me be clear I do need a job, as in yesterday). I think that maybe probably someone else would do a better job and so it should go to them. If I meet 90% of the criteria, I focus on the 10% I don’t know/have and hope they can find someone who meets it all. I guess in the end, I’m always rooting for the other guy, worried their needs may be greater than mine and asking God to look out for them too. If I see anyone else coming out of the interview or waiting to go in, I usually pray for them, asking the Lord to help them interview well and get the job if they need it most or comfort them if they are disappointed!
Is it a weakness or a strength? The truth is, I’m not so sure….I wish I had more confidence in my abilities, but I’d also hate to stop thinking of the other people.
So to the other 10 or so people being interviewed between Wednesday and Friday, prayers go out for you that you have a great interview and the job goes to the person who needs it most right now. And if any of those 10 people would pray I would gain a bit of confidence, I’d be very thankful indeed 
FT, half the time it’s organizational fit. If you fit 90 percent of the bill and they have the confidence that you fit with the team, well heck – you can always look up that policy on the internet and perhaps they feel that the one area you might lack, someone else on the team is strong in and so they want to see you. Additionally (Having worked in HR), many times some of those things are wish-lists. If you fill 90 percent, you’ve got a great chance. Praying for you!!! ~K
Maybe you are looking for a job in the wrong field! Maybe you could consider getting a job in hospice care, or as a caregiver for elderly people, etc. (My sweet Gram who is 74 takes care of “old people” as she calls them and loves it!) It would pay less, but you have the art of frugal living down!
I’m exactly the same, I have a very responsible job, but I only feel that I can do the job because of the support I get from my manager, I couldn’t possibly do this all by myself somewhere else! It’s horrible to have such feelings of inadequacy so I totally sympathise with you. I haven’t any suggestions as to how you can change this, but I wish you all the luck in the world with your new life. I guess you can only try to be positive about all the great things that you have done and try to focus on those positives rather than the negatives!
Judy xx
That’s definitely a tough question and one I battle with as well. In this dog eat dog world, though, I do think it is good to cultivat the kingly law of love and see other people’s needs as well. An attitude like that is never going to hurt and will only help you to deal with the rejections that will occur because there are just too many people out there in the same boat. At least you have been recently employed and your volunteer work shows your willing spirit. Cherrie
I think you should have more belief in yourself, you are obviously a very articulate, intelligent and caring woman. Maybe you should think about that fact that you need your job in order to continue your voluntary work, support the children you sponsor and it will allow you to do the good work that you do.
I am very impressed by your thought process, once again it just shows how amazing you are.
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Good luck in your interview! I share some of your feelings of inadequacy. But remember, they *did* decide to interview you – perhaps they’ve looked overall at your skills and qualities and decided you’d fit in, or you have the skills required to find out what you need to know and are capable of it. You can find out about registration requirements, and all kinds of other things. What they’re really looking for is commitment and enthusiasm (as well as at least some of the essential requirements!)
Try to go in with your head held high, remember that YOU need this job too, and that you will do good with it, it will allow you to help others too.
Fingers crossed, I’m thinking of you today and I’m sure lots of others are too!
x
Thanks for all the wonderful support & prayers!
FT,
Your analysis is nice. But it isn’t about the actual situation, it’s about your feelings towards yourself and others. Your feelings are playing a game with your thinking. A familliar game from times long past. Please check out the rules of the game. It will help bring you understanding and brigde the gap between the two opposite sides. It will help you grow!
Aw, this made me sad, both because you’re so hard on yourself and because I recognize myself in what you’re feeling. As others have said, of course it’s great if a candidate has *every* possible qualification, but a) HR often creates a wish list, not necessarily a realistic list, of qualifications, and b) how well you get on with others at the organization is a very important component as well.
About eight years ago, I started a new job. Within three or four months, the agency went through a major re-organization and the job I had was essentially going to be eliminated. The CEO offered me a much bigger job, one I didn’t think I was ready for – it was essentially a slighly reduced version of the job my supervisor was doing! I asked for time to think about it, and decided that while I wasn’t entirely sure I could do the job, I did trust the person who was offering it to me – if she thought I could do it, I was willing to give it a try and prove her right! It turned out to be the right decision.
Good luck with your interview!
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Fake in until you make it, please do not carry into the interview a ” I’m not worthy” attitude. That will show in your body language.This opportunity would not have crossed your path if you were not right for it. Sometimes it is all in the timing and signs…. if you believe in that sort of thing ( I do!)I began a whole new career 10 months ago and I knew nothing of the field… I was willing to learn and while I still have my uneasy days, I am rocking it.
Good lunck
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I am sure the right job will be yours. Please don’t be so hard on yourself, you have so much to offer!