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6 Ways to Boost Your Confidence at Work

How to ask for a raise or give a presentation fearlessly

By Jill Jacinto and AOL Jobs

(This article appeared previously on AOLJobs.com.)

Heading into a job interview, presentation, or a raise negotiation?

 

All these career “asks” take some amount of nerve mixed with confidence. Not only do you need to believe you're worthy of the “ask” in question, you need to muster up the courage to make that initial request as well. Visualizing asking your boss for a bump in your salary of five percent seems a lot easier than when you are standing in front of her sweating, perplexed, playing with your watchband and feeling like a deer in headlights.

(MORE: Lessons From 'The Confidence Code')

 

Here are six things you should do before any big ask:

 

1. Practice, practice practice. While it's true some people are born naturally confident, for the rest of us it takes practice. The more you work on your tennis game, yoga moves or Photoshop talents — the better you become at it. Think of confidence as another skill you need to practice, learn, perfect and earn.

 

 

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3. Pinpoint your fear. We often lose our confidence when we aren't prepared. Confidence is learned through experience. Do your homework before your next meeting. Do the research and know the tough numbers and facts off the top of your head as opposed to checking notes during a meeting or presentation. Don't give yourself the opportunity to fail. Focus on using your knowledge and expertise to win over your boss, co-worker or client.

 

 

 

Jill Jacinto Read More
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