It sounds perfect.

From the nature of the role and the responsibilities you would take on to the attractive benefits package and alluring company culture, you’ve found an opportunity that ticks all your boxes. There’s just one problem: from the sounds of it, the job would be a significant step up.

Rather than creeping up the career ladder, this role would catapult you up several rungs. They say you should do one thing every day that scares you – applying to this role will undoubtedly fall into this category, and yet you’re hesitant.

It isn’t that you aren’t qualified for the position, but by putting yourself forward for the job, you feel you have to prove your worth. If this sounds familiar, the following reasons should encourage you to quash self-doubt and put your best foot forward – after all, you’ll never know unless you try. 

 

1.    Nerves equal passion, fear equals desire

Don’t let nerves discourage you from accepting an offer or putting yourself forward for an exciting opportunity. Instead, learn to embrace your apprehensiveness. If anything, hiring managers will appreciate that your nerves are a sign of your passion; they will take your fear to mean that you care about landing the role. A candidate who appears nervous is a candidate who is eager to prove themselves in a particular role You may have some learning to do, but most employers agree that you can’t train for attitude.

 

2.    Life begins outside your comfort zone

Most of us will recognise this slogan from too many motivational posters and LinkedIn posts, but there is truth in this statement. If you only apply for positions that you know from the outset you will feel comfortable in, you will find it difficult to progress and achieve your long-term goals. Of course, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with staying at the same level for a long time, but if you have high hopes of climbing the career ladder, you can’t expect to move forward if you never challenge yourself. 

 

3.    You won’t be expected to achieve objectives from day one

If you’re hesitant about a job that seems out of reach because you don’t believe you can live up to their expectations within a few weeks of starting, you’re setting the bar too high for yourself. As much as employers seek candidates who can hit the ground running, most understand the return to be gained from nurturing potential. Nobody starts a new job and knows exactly what they’re doing unless the role is a carbon copy of the one they are already in at a competitor firm.

 

4.    Everyone starts somewhere

Nobody gets to the top by standing still. If you’ve identified a job that you really want but are reluctant to progress with your application for fear of the competition, try to bear in mind that at least half of the candidates you’re up against will be at the same level as you are. The only difference will be that they are confident enough to aim high, reach for the stars or go for gold. If not you, then someone else.

 

5.    High risk, high reward

Feelings of apprehension and anxiety are opportunities for personal growth. Those who take the risk and learn to conquer fear are those who will reap the benefits of new opportunities. Forcing yourself outside of your comfort zone is the only way to fulfil your potential; taking on new challenges is how people broaden their skillset. If it scares you, see it as a good thing: after all, it’s better to be scared than bored in your career.