Photo by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash
By Hannah Woolley, Careers Consultant
This insight is part of our career wellbeing series.
The first step to getting a job is to apply. Sounds simple, right? Not always. Amongst other things, negative self-talk can get in the way.
Does this scenario sound familiar? You spot an exciting job advert, and you think it might be an ideal opportunity. Then you start to read the details and things begin to unravel.
You wonder if you stand any chance of being successful, begin to doubt your abilities, and imagine that every other applicant will be better than you. The idea of making an application suddenly seems like a mammoth task, you feel drained, and fear it will only end in rejection. Before long you’ve talked yourself out of it and your enthusiasm has evaporated.
This isn’t uncommon. The way we talk to ourselves isn’t always kind and over time, this can chip away at self-esteem and motivation, and it can make tasks feel overwhelming. So, how can you begin to introduce a more positive inner voice?
Switch your perspective
If a friend said, “I’ve got nothing to offer an employer and I’ll never get a job”, what would you say?
You’re unlikely to respond with “yes, you’re right, don’t bother applying for anything, you’ll always be a failure”. Instead, you’d probably gently challenge them and list off their strengths.
Talk to yourself in the same way as you would talk to a friend. This can help you to sense-check the messages you feed yourself and elicit a kinder, more constructive voice.
Take a mindful approach
Securing a job can be tough going, particularly if you’ve experienced rejection. Sometimes, negative feelings then creep in when you come to make another application. Rather than allowing these to bring you down, try to practise being ‘in the moment’ and give all your attention to this new endeavour.
Set aside dedicated time, remove distractions, and focus fully on the here and now. See this as a fresh and exciting task. If your mind does begin to wander back to the past, acknowledge this before gently reminding yourself to return to the present. This should help you to catch yourself before things start to spiral.
Set a positive intention
You might say aloud to yourself “today I will focus on my strengths and express these confidently”, or “I am capable of this job and have plenty to offer this employer”.
Admittedly, this might feel a little silly to begin with, but positively framing your efforts can help to get you off to a good start. Then, write your positive intention down on a post-it note and stick it up as a reminder.
Focus on everything you have to offer
It is important to be realistic.
If a person specification lists essential qualifications and years of professional experience you don’t have, then it’s sensible to conclude that this isn’t a job to apply for right now.
However, if an advert says something like ‘candidates should have X qualification or equivalent’ or ‘experience in a related field will be considered’ then there may be some wriggle room.
Similarly, if something is listed as desirable rather than essential you may still have a strong chance if you are able to offer an alternative that would be equally valuable.
Outline what you have to offer and how it is relevant. For example, you could explain any similarities between the degree subject mentioned and the one you studied or describe how the skills you’ve developed in one context could be transferred to another.
Talk to us
We can help you to find ways to approach your applications positively. Book an appointment to speak to an adviser. Check out the making applications pages on our website for expert advice on all aspects of applying for jobs from crafting your CV to acing an assessment centre.
First published 2021. Updated November 2025
Posted on Tuesday 2nd December 2025