Rebuilding Confidence in a Post-COVID Workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably left an indelible mark on the lives of individuals worldwide. Among those significantly affected are young people, who not only had to navigate the challenges of a global health crisis but also experienced the disruption of their educational and professional journeys. As a new generation emerges from this tumultuous period, fresh out of college and entering the workforce, a disconcerting trend has come to light: a pervasive loss of confidence among these young individuals. 

Numerous studies have revealed that the unique circumstances surrounding the pandemic have dealt a blow to the self-assurance and belief in their abilities that young people once possessed. The challenges posed by COVID-19, such as remote learning, social isolation, and an uncertain job market, have all profoundly impacted their overall confidence, particularly when it comes to work. Recognizing this critical issue, thought leaders have begun to explore avenues for supporting this generation and equipping them with the confidence they need to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

One such influential figure is Selena Rezvani, renowned for her thought-provoking TikToks and esteemed by Forbes as the foremost expert on empowering oneself in the workplace. Rezvani’s latest book, “Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Create Connections and Make Bold Bets On Yourself,” published by Wiley on May 9, 2023, offers invaluable insights into how this new generation of workers, profoundly affected by the pandemic, can rebuild their confidence and forge ahead with resilience and determination.

In this article, we delve into the profound impact of COVID-19 on the confidence of young individuals entering the workforce and explore Rezvani’s perspectives on how they can regain their footing. By addressing the unique challenges this generation faces and providing practical strategies for personal and professional growth, Her work offers a ray of hope and guidance for those seeking to reclaim their self-assurance and thrive in the evolving landscape of work.

Regaining Confidence in a Challenging Period

When asked how college graduates entering the workforce after such a challenging period can regain confidence in themselves and their abilities, Rezvani acknowledges the impact of remote work on the learning and observation process. She highlights the importance of hands-on experiences and interaction: “Gen Z is poised to be the ultimate hybrid worker. They’re very comfortable on Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, and Teams, but the support, hands-on learning, and observation, the frequent feedback they’re after will take longer to learn remotely. And therefore, building confidence might take longer.”

To combat the challenges of remote work and isolation, Rezvani advises young professionals to seek opportunities for co-working and connection, either through formal coworking spaces or with friends. She explains, “If you’re a remote worker and you can afford it, look for the opportunity to ‘co-work’ with others either through a formal coworking space or with friends. That’s important because Gen Z are less likely to feel they have friends at work and isolation hurts our confidence.”

Furthermore, Rezvani encourages college graduates to ask for as much observation and hands-on learning as possible in their new roles. She emphasizes the significance of social interaction, collaboration, and cultural immersion, stating, “One of the most exciting draws to the office as someone early in your career is interacting socially, collaborating, meeting new coworkers, absorbing learning from more knowledgeable or skilled people, and discovering the vibe or culture. Gen Z is looking for a feeling of membership and to be included, in a hands-on way. So ask to shadow others, to apprentice people on a project, or to do a ride-along wherever possible.”

Building Authentic Confidence

In her book, Rezvani challenges the notion of “faking it ’til you make it” as an outdated strategy for building confidence. She suggests alternative approaches that focus on authenticity and self-awareness. Rezvani states, “Faking it ’til you make it might work in the very short term; for example, acting like you’re confident in a job interview might make you appear self-assured and help you get the job, but that kind of confidence is pretty flimsy longer term.”

Instead, she says that young professionals should develop a healthy respect for their signature strengths and the unique value they bring to their work. Rezvani emphasizes the importance of changing self-narratives and adopting empowering stories. She explains, “What’s going to help you feel like a truly confident person is to develop a healthy respect for your signature strengths, the value you bring to your company or industry or role – and to change the stories you tell yourself.”

Rezvani further highlights the significance of cultivating small, repeatable habits that scale confidence every day. By focusing on consistent personal growth and self-empowerment, young professionals can build a foundation of authentic confidence. 

“Most of us don’t have a lifetime to learn confidence, which is why I advocate for locking in small, repeatable habits that scale your confidence every day,” she says.

Making a Positive Impact from Day One

Establishing a positive first impression is crucial when starting a new job. Rezvani provides practical tips and techniques to make a lasting impact from day one. She recommends initiating contact and being proactive in building connections. Rezvani states, “Rather than waiting for people to approach you, make a point to initiate contact as a rule. Not only will it help you stop overthinking introductions, but it can double your social confidence over time because you’ve habituated going right up to people.”

Additionally, Rezvani advises making early statements positive to foster a positive work environment. Avoiding negative topics and bring encouraging energy to interactions. Rezvani explains, “Make your early statements positive. Rather than bonding with your new teammates about the traffic, the nonexistent food truck options at lunch, or your lousy sleep last night, make a point to bring more encouraging, positive energy.”

Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of a concise and impactful introduction. She provides a simple framework for introducing oneself effectively, stating, “Give a great but short introduction of yourself. I teach a simple 3-part framework that includes these elements: your name, your title, and then a short phrase that translates what you do in ‘non-jargonny’ language.”

Rezvani adds, “Translating your work into lay terms opens the door for people to see you as accessible.”

Facing Stressful Situations and Challenges with Confidence

The post-COVID era has introduced various changes and uncertainties in the workplace, often leading to stressful situations and daunting challenges for young professionals. Rezvani provides practical strategies to un-intimidate oneself and maintain confidence when faced with such circumstances.

When encountering intimidating individuals, Rezvani believes in interacting with them personally rather than being overwhelmed by their authority or status. She suggests speaking to them peer-to-peer and avoiding apologizing or rushing through conversations. Rezvani explains, “When intimidated by a VIP or bigwig, interact with the person, not ‘the power’… Speak to this person peer to peer rather than apologizing for taking their time or hurrying through your words. You can be respectful without playing small.”

Rezvani also recommends the “Just Like Me” exercise to overcome feelings of intimidation. By recognizing shared human experiences, individuals can humanize intimidating individuals and reduce their own feelings of inadequacy. Rezvani states, “In many ways, we are all more alike than we are different. We all get scared and sad. We’ve all made huge mistakes and had bad days. When facing someone who intimidates you, repeat: ‘This person has wanted to make a good first impression…just like me,’ ‘This person has felt inadequate…just like me,’ ‘This person has needed to be courageous…just like me.'”

To add a lighthearted perspective, Rezvani says to imagine intimidating individuals in unexpected scenarios, such as performing ballet in a Spiderman costume or relaxing at home in casual attire. This mental exercise helps to diminish the perceived intimidation and fosters a more confident approach. Rezvani explains, “Have a little fun seeing them act ‘less than scary’ in your mind – for example, picture them doing ballet in a Spiderman costume or laying on their couch eating chips in their PJs.”

Quick Confidence-Boosting Strategies

To overcome self-doubt and increase self-assurance, Rezvani provides quick confidence-boosting strategies that young professionals can implement immediately. She highlights the significance of personal presentation and clothing choices: “In one of my favorite studies conducted at Northwestern, researchers found that when subjects wore a white lab coat, they did better on tests that measured attention span and accuracy.”

Rezvani explains the impact of clothing choices on confidence, stating, “That means what we wear tells a story – and we believe that story. So if we ’embody’ the traits of the outfits we wear – make sure what you’re wearing feels like the most energized, empowered version of you.”

Keeping promises made to oneself is another confidence-building strategy Rezvani recommends. She emphasizes the importance of reliability and self-trust, stating, “Even a little broken promise affects how reliable you are in your own eyes and can help – or hurt – your confidence.”

Affirmations and specific mantras tailored to individual insecurities are also effective tools for boosting confidence. She suggests using affirmations such as “I earned my place here” or “I 400% belong” to counter self-doubt and reinforce a positive self-image.

Furthermore, Rezvani emphasizes the importance of learning to accept compliments graciously. She advises young professionals to avoid downplaying their accomplishments and instead learn to embrace compliments and acknowledge their contributions. Rezvani states, “Saying ‘it was nothing’ when someone recognizes your work actually lessens your confidence and contribution! Learn to say yes to the compliment and build off of it with one additional comment.”

Establishing Strong Connections in a Digital Workplace

With the rise of remote work and virtual interactions, building confidence and establishing strong connections in a digital workplace environment pose unique challenges. Rezvani provides advice specifically tailored to young professionals in navigating this new landscape.

To make a strong virtual impression, Rezvani recommends introducing oneself early in meetings. By speaking up and actively participating, individuals overcome initial barriers and increase their confidence in contributing to discussions. Rezvani explains, “According to the primacy effect, humans have a tendency to remember better those things presented at the beginning of a sequence… Speaking up and introducing yourself or your contribution in the meeting quickly breaks a seal.”

Rezvani adds to aim for at least three interjections during virtual interactions. By actively engaging and contributing multiple times, individuals make a more memorable impact. 

“To make a strong virtual impression, you need to grab hold of the entire ‘impression time window’ available to you,” she says. “So, challenge yourself to contribute three times. If you’re a subject matter expert or otherwise have lots to say, no need to stop there.”

Adapting, Embracing Change, and Leveraging Opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the job market and disrupted traditional career paths. Rezvani provides valuable advice to young professionals on adapting to this new era and leveraging opportunities to build successful and fulfilling careers.

Rezvani highlights the increasing importance of data literacy and management in today’s workforce. Individuals should actively seek opportunities to improve their data skills and stay informed about industry trends. 

“Data literacy and management is everyone’s job these days,” she says. “If you’re not looking at data every week, look for sources of opportunities where you can get better at this.”

Moreover, Rezvani emphasizes the significance of fostering leadership qualities and being an effective team member, even for those who are outside formal leadership positions. She encourages young professionals to develop skills such as fostering psychological safety, transparent communication, and teamwork. Rezvani explains, “Even if you’re not a people leader, learn about being a humane leader and effective team member… I promise you

’re going to use these skills every day and you’ll stand out as a great team member, which can accelerate your path to being a leader.”

In the context of the evolving digital landscape, Rezvani advises young professionals to expand their networks and embrace digital networking opportunities. She encourages individuals to be open to connections beyond their immediate circles, as diverse networks often provide exciting career opportunities. Rezvani states, “Open up the gates of your network a bit… consider saying yes to the event that’s a little off your beaten path or consider using a more inclusive strategy to accept digital networking requests, for example, on LinkedIn.”

Conclusion

In a post-COVID workforce where young professionals face unique challenges and uncertainties, rebuilding confidence is crucial for success. Selena Rezvani’s insights from her book, “Quick Confidence: Be Authentic, Create Connections and Make Bold Bets On Yourself,” offer practical strategies for regaining confidence, establishing strong connections, and navigating the evolving landscape of work.

By understanding the impact of remote work, embracing authenticity, making positive impressions, facing challenges with resilience, implementing quick confidence-boosting strategies, and adapting to change, young professionals can empower themselves to build successful and fulfilling careers.

Rezvani’s advice serves as a guiding light for this new generation, providing them with the tools and mindset necessary to navigate the post-COVID era with confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. As they embark on their professional journeys, these young professionals can harness their newfound confidence to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and make their mark in the ever-evolving world of work.