Why you should apply for jobs you dont think youre qualified for

Why you should apply for jobs you dont think youre qualified forWhy you should apply for jobs you dont think youre qualified forMaybe youre looking fora bigger challengeor losing interest in the industry. Maybe you justcant stand your bossand your coworkers. Whatever the reason, youre getting a little antsy in your current job, and youre ready to get out. But as youre looking at listings for potenzial new jobs, you cant help but worry. Tzu siche are some really exciting options, but youre worried you may not be qualified enough. What should you do?The short answer? Apply.According todatafrom theHarvard Business Review,men apply for jobs when they meet just 60 percent of the listed qualifications, while women tend to apply only if they meet every last one. And while we salute all of you ladies for being so thorough, we want to encourage you to throw your hat in the ring for more opportunities - even the ones that seem out of reach. Laureen Seeger, the chief legal officer atAmerican E xpress, applied for her position when she was two levels below it in the company hierarchy, and she has these tips to share for anyone dreaming of a job that seems a little out of reach.1. Address your insecuritiesYou may think youre not qualified for the job in question, but consider another possibility youre actually totally qualified and your insecurities are stemming from a little something calledimposter syndrome. Not familiar with this phenomenon? Imposter syndrome creeps in when we fail to recognize the value of our accomplishments and gradually convinces us that we are not capable or deserving of our own success, Seeger says. Stop worrying about whether or not your background aligns perfectly with a promising job description and focus instead on the potential you have to contribute more generally toanyworkplace. Dont let that imposter syndrome hold you back from taking a chance on an exciting new opportunity.2. Trust yourmentorsand friendsConfide about the job in the people you love the most and allow them to offer constructive feedback that you can use to persuade others of the same, Seeger says. Allow honest guidance and support to pave your path to success. Your loved ones know you better than anyone else, and they may be able to give you a clearer view of your own strengths and abilities than you have of yourself.3. Tap into yournetworksDive into your LinkedIn contacts list to see if theres any overlap with the company where youre interviewing. Rack your brain for friends or colleagues who may be able to hook you up with a helpful internal contact. Find out if your current company has any employee networks that can give you the support and confidence boost you need to bravely pursue a new opportunity. (Employee networks like this can be especially helpful if youre applying for a new job or promotion with your current employer.)4. Get educatedPut the internet to good use and see what you can learn about people who work in similar roles across the in dustry. What skills do they have? Can you find videos of them sharing stories of their own professional experiences? Think through how you can make the argument that youre equally as qualified through the experiences youve gained in your life and career, Seeger recommends.5. Find excitement in the process - not just the outcomeIts difficult to put yourself forth for a high-profile role, Seeger says. Its important to remember that the process is valuable even if you are not offered the job in the end. Applying and potentially interviewing for the role will make you smarter and better prepared for the next interview or opportunity. Youll gain confidence and practical application skills that will make you a shoo-in for whatever gig is meant to beHave you ever found yourself nervous about being qualified heading into a job interview? What did you do? Tweet usBritandCo.This article first appeared on Brit + Co.

What Its Like to Be an Intern at McKinsey

What Its Like to Be an Intern at McKinseyWhat Its Like to Be an Intern at McKinseyEliza is an associate in McKinseys Shanghai office and welches previously a summer associate while completing her MBA program at Northwesterns Kellogg Graduate School of Business. From her internship interviews to joining for the summer and experiencing consulting for the first time, Eliza shares her McKinsey experiences, including what made her decision to return an easy one.During the recruiting process, I welches amazed at how much support I received in preparing for interviews. Both formal and informal mentors all dedicated at least an hour each to help me with case preparation and answer all of my questions.The internship training program was a great experience. Those two-days provided me with the basic toolkit to be a successful summer associate, including an in-depth review of McKinseys problem-solving approaches. The part I enjoyed most was the client interview role plays we did in teams everyt hing felt very much like real life situations.As an intern, I was very surprised how much my team trusted a newbie like me. I was entrusted with leading an important workstream which included co-hosting a 20+ person client workshop with another team member and presenting my part to the client board during the final report.I never would have imagined an intern would have been given so much autonomy.I also learned that Make Your Own McKinsey is not just a slogan. I honigwein many interesting colleagues during the summer, all of whom have been well-supported in creating their own path within McKinsey. When people ask me why I decided to return as a full-time associate, I answer people, people, people.It was absolutely the inspiring, caring, supportive, smart and fun people I met during the summer who made the decision easy.Tatiana is a lawyer by training and has a background in finance. During her MBA program at Chicago Booth, she spent her summer with McKinsey in Sao Paulo and returne d as a full time associate in Rio de Janeiro after graduation. Tatiana shares her perspective on considering career options and her internship experience.As a lawyer, it was clear to me I should spend my summer internship at a firm where I would be able to learn a lot, and where I could contribute something special given my experiences. McKinsey had everything that I needed a distribution policy where I would be able to get more business knowledge and that would welcome me and my background.During the recruiting process, the interviewers I met created a very positive environment even when I was nervous after making some math errors in my final round meetings. They noticed I was nervous and took the time to help me calm down and focus. It was a great opportunity to connect with them on a more personal level and they are still great supporters of mine now that Im at McKinsey full time.As I was deciding between summer opportunities at McKinsey, BCG and AB Inbev, the primary factor I k ept in mind was the people. I found it extremely easy to connect with people from McKinsey, and the diverse range of people I met assured me Id never be bored. I knew I was going to learn a lot about business if I joined McKinsey, and I also found that there wasnt anywhere else where Id learn as much about people.Now that Im back as an associate, my learning curve is still intense but I know I have a lot of people to support me along the way and know the people are why chose this place over all the others.

3 Reasons Why Going Abroad Could Be Good For Your Career [Infographic]

3 Reasons Why Going Abroad Could Be Good For Your Career Infographic 3 Reasons Why Going Abroad Could Be Good For Your Career Infographic Want to take your career to the next level? You may want to consider heading overseas.If youve been thinking ofstarting a career abroad, then youre no doubt aware of the challenges ahead. Moving abroad for work is not the easiest thing to do butthe rewards for doing it are high. As well as being a brand-new experience and a significant life event, moving abroad for work could well benefit your career in the long term. Here are three reasons why 1. Itll Turn YouInto a Highly Sought-After CandidateAccording to aninfographicfrom payday loans company Wizzcash which is included at the end of this post 80 percent of employers value candidates with international experience very highly. Whats more, being able to speak multiplelanguages is a skill associated with top performers.Even just a few years of experience working in another country could send y our resumeright to the top of employers piles.2. Itll Significantly Expand Your Skill SetTheres no question Working abroad will widen your skill set considerably. Aside from learning a new language (somethingyou really should try to do), you can also become an expert traveller and develop a global mindset when you move abroad. These are crucial attributes for success in todays global economy. Furthermore, your experience working abroad is a sign to employers that you can thrive in diverse workplaces.3. It CouldLead to a Better SalaryIf money matters to you, moving abroad for work could land you a better paycheck,especially if you move to a country where the wages are high andthe cost of living is low. Moreover, some countries the United Arab Emirates, the Bahamas, and Monaco, to name a few dont collectincome taxes from employees.Justmake sure you do your research. Ensure you know what your take-home pay will be and the buying power it will give you in the new country before you de cide to move.Interested in Starting a Career Abroad?If the perks of working overseas have piqued your interest, check out this infographic from Wizzcash, which contains nine tips on how to launch your international careerIrma Hunkeler works forBlueGlass.co.uk, a digital marketing agency.