“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” — Proverbs 26:12 (ESV)
I still remember the day I thought I had arrived.
I was fresh out of school, full of fire and promise. I had years of writing experience—campus journalism, national newspapers, essay competitions. English had always been my thing. When others feared essay questions, I welcomed them like an old friend. I topped English in UTME. I aced GES English in university. I was the “go-to” guy for proofreading and polishing write-ups among my peers.
So, when I applied for a job at The Ready Writers Consult, a respected editorial firm in Lagos, Nigeria, I was bursting with confidence. I was so sure I could handle the job. Why wouldn’t I be? I had the track record—or so I thought.
When I finally got a test from Mr Babatunde Oladele, the company’s founder who would later become my boss, I pounced on it with excitement. I edited it and sent it back, certain I had impressed him.
Then he sent back his version of the edit.
Friends, it was like a master chef had redone my homemade spaghetti. His edits were cleaner, sharper, more thoughtful. Mine looked… amateur. In that moment, I was humbled. No, not just humbled—undone. I saw my inadequacy laid bare in red ink.
And right there, I said something I didn’t even plan to say: “Sir, forget about making me an editor. Just let me be a proofreader.”
The Dangerous Illusion of Readiness
Now, that’s not just a funny memory—it’s a life lesson.
Most job seekers struggling to get hired today are walking around with the same kind of misplaced confidence I had back then. They’re applying for roles they think they can do, but if we’re honest, they haven’t yet done the inner or outer work to truly be ready.
That’s why Proverbs 26:12 hits so hard:
“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
In other words, the moment you think you know it all is the moment you shut the door to learning anything at all.
And yet, this is where many job seekers are stuck—trapped in the illusion of readiness.
Why Am I Not Getting the Job?
It’s a fair question. You’ve applied. You’ve followed up. You’ve written a brilliant cover letter and maybe even networked on LinkedIn.
But still—crickets. Rejections. Silence.
Could it be that what you see as readiness is actually just overconfidence in disguise?
Let’s pause here. Because this isn’t a call to beat yourself up—it’s an invitation to look deeper.
Overconfidence Is More Common Than You Think
Psychologists call it the Dunning-Kruger Effect—the idea that people with low ability in a task tend to overestimate their competence. In plain English? We don’t know what we don’t know.
I’ve been there. And if we’re honest, so have you.
You may feel ready because you have a degree, or you’ve done something similar in school. But in the workplace, readiness goes beyond potential—you must be able to deliver results.
You see, hiring is expensive. Employers aren’t just paying you a salary. They’re investing time, trust, onboarding, supervision, and sometimes even office space and tools. So, when they say “no,” it’s not personal. It’s practical.
They’re asking, “Will this person add value fast, or cost us more time and money?”
Confidence is good but competence is better. Employers don’t just want passion; they want proof that you can deliver. Share on XLet Me Ask You This
If someone hired you today, could you actually do the work… or would you still need to be taught how?
Could you meet your targets in the first 30 days? Or would your boss be quietly wondering why they took the chance on you?
These aren’t accusations—they’re clarifying questions. And they’re meant to help you break free from assumptions and start walking in truth.
Jesus, the Carpenter’s Son
Think about Jesus for a moment—not as the miracle-working Messiah, but as a young man apprenticing under Joseph.
The Son of God spent years learning how to work with wood, how to measure and cut and smooth things into shape. The Savior didn’t rush to start His ministry at 18. He waited until 30.
Why?
Because growth takes time. Maturity doesn’t come by wishful thinking. Even Jesus had a preparation season.
Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” If the Son of God had to grow before stepping into His public calling, why should we think we can skip that process?
The Fast-Forward Culture
We live in an age where people want instant results. If a video buffers for more than two seconds, we scroll past. If we don’t get feedback from a job application within three days, we assume rejection.
We crave shortcuts, but growth doesn’t come in a microwave. It’s more like a slow cooker.
And that’s the challenge for many job seekers—they want the destination without the journey. But it’s not the destination that builds you. What builds you is the path that leads to the destination.
Even Jesus didn’t rush into His calling. He waited, worked, and grew. If the Son of God embraced preparation, why should you skip the process? Share on XLearning to Ask the Right Question
Instead of asking, “Why won’t anyone hire me?” Ask, “What am I doing to make myself truly hireable?”
That shift changes everything.
When I was finally hired, it wasn’t because I impressed anyone with my CV. It was because I had been willing to humble myself, start small, and grow. I became a trainee first. I learned on the job. I improved.
And then—when I was ready—I stepped into bigger responsibilities.
So, What Can You Do About It?
Here are some practical steps that can help you bridge the gap between confidence and competence:
1. Seek Real Feedback
Ask someone in your desired field to review your work. Not your mom. Not your best friend. Someone who will tell you the truth—even if it stings. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
2. Start Smaller
Look for internship opportunities, apprenticeships, volunteer roles, freelance gigs, or short-term projects. These smaller roles are safer places to build skill before you apply for full-time positions.
3. Invest in Growth
Take online courses. Read books. Join communities of practice. Don’t wait for someone to train you. Train yourself.
4. Shadow Someone
Just like Jesus learned under Joseph, you can learn under a mentor. Offer to help for free if necessary. Observe, ask questions, and document everything you learn.
5. Build a Portfolio
Show your work. Whether it’s writing samples, designs, campaigns, or spreadsheets—document your growth. Employers love seeing proof, not just potential.
The Power of Humility
I’ve come to learn that humility is a superpower.
It’s not weakness. It’s not low self-esteem. It’s the ability to admit, “I’m not there yet—but I’m willing to learn.”
James 4:6 tells us, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Grace, in this context, means favor, empowerment, and access.
Humility attracts divine help and human mentorship. When you walk in humility, people want to help you. When you pretend to know it all, they silently wish you luck—and walk away.
You’re Not a Failure—You’re Just Not Finished
Let that sink in.
Struggling to get hired doesn’t mean you’re worthless. It just means you’re still in formation. Like clay on the potter’s wheel, you’re being shaped.
And if you stay in the process—learning, growing, adjusting—you’ll get there.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all.” Your time will come. But when it does, will you be ready?
Let’s Wrap This Up
Here’s what I want you to remember:
- Overconfidence can blind you to your real gaps.
- Growth isn’t automatic—it’s intentional.
- Employers want value, not just enthusiasm.
- Your humility can open doors pride will slam shut.
- Feedback is a gift—receive it.
- Small beginnings are still beginnings. Don’t despise them.
- Your calling requires preparation—embrace the process.
One Final Challenge
This week, take 30 minutes and do these three things:
1. Ask someone you respect to review a piece of your work.
2. Find a short online course in your desired field—and complete it.
3. Write down three areas where you know you need to grow—and make a plan.
You don’t have to figure it all out overnight. Just take the next step in faith.
Remember: The rapidly evolving workplaces of today don’t need more confident job seekers. They need more competent, humble, and teachable ones.
And with God’s help, you can be that person.
You’re not disqualified—you’re being refined.
Let the refining continue.