Keeping confident, even when you feel desperate.
When you are looking for a new job, especially if you've been out of work for a long time, it's hard not to seem desperate. There is nothing that turns a prospective employer off as much as desperation. Employers want to believe that you really want to work for them, not that you just want any job you can get.
Each company wants to hire people who genuinely want to work for them. They want people who have done some research into their company and honestly believe that they would be a good fit for their job opening. But, we live in the real world, and sometimes you just need a job more than anything, no matter what sort of job it is.
So, how can you play it cool and land the job?
So, how can you play it cool and land the job?
Here are some ways to not appear to be desperate:
- Keep your options open – Don't focus too hard on one job. This can be a challenge when you really want that particular job. Even if you are positive that the job is the right one for you, keep looking. By focusing on several options, it takes the mental and emotional pressure off of the one you want and prevents you from behaving in a way that looks desperate to an employer. Even if you don't have other options on the table, make a list of all of the other things you could do if you don't get this job. Maybe you could start your own business or work for a competitor. Write them all down just to remind yourself that you aren't desperate.
- Think about other times you have succeeded – What did it take to succeed in those instances? What lessons did you learn? Remind yourself of why you are who you are. Even if your self-esteem has taken a hit lately, refresh your memory and think about how amazing you are. This will not only boost your confidence but can also give you some things to highlight when you are on your next interview.
- Relax – Job hunting is stressful, and interviews can be even worse. But, no one likes to see someone who is clearly buckling under the stress. Take some time out to relax and recharge. Don't underestimate how exhausting the job search can be.
- Have fun – Anytime we meet new people, even interviewers we are judged on our likeability. So, be a fun person to be around. You don't have to try to be someone else, just be the best, most relaxed version of yourself that you can be. Don't look at an interview as a make-or-break moment in your career. Look at it as meeting a new network contact and finding out more information about a job opening.
No matter how badly you may want a particular job, or just any job, it is no excuse to be desperate. Before each interview, remind yourself that life will still go on if you don't get that particular job. Keep in mind that you have power in this situation as well. You don't have to take the job they are offering. You could walk away if it isn't right for you. You have other options. You have been successful before, and you will be again. It just might take a little more time.
What do you think about desperation? How do you keep your cool during interviews? Share your thoughts in the comments.
What do you think about desperation? How do you keep your cool during interviews? Share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManhattanJobsBlog and Nexxt. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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