Signs That Show You are Desperate

New job hunters are frequently taught to mold themselves to fit any opportunity — an approach that often makes you appear desperate and gives all the decision-making power to employers. Not only do experienced hiring managers steer clear of desperate job seekers, but you also put yourself in a poor negotiating position when you don't know your own worth. Land the job on your terms by avoiding these common habits of a desperate job seeker.

1. You Show Fake Enthusiasm

Sometimes, taking a temporary job you hate is necessary to pay the bills, but you shouldn't pursue one mismatched position after the next. Adept hiring managers watch for subtle signs that you aren't excited about the job duties, and hesitancy or disinterest can come through in your speech and body language even if you're putting out a facade of positivity. Job seekers who genuinely care don't have to fake their emotions; they ask thought-provoking questions that show their ability and desire to solve the employer's business pain.

2. You Ignore Conflicts of Interest

A major red flag is backtracking to try and save face when your strengths or personality clearly conflict with the job or company culture. If you already revealed that you crave variety in your work, don't suddenly try to convince the interviewer you also love repetitive tasks. Interviews are a tool to determine whether a company is a good fit, and hiring managers think more highly of job seekers who know their strengths and use their career goals as a road map.

3. You Accept Any Terms

Agreeing to any conditions is the best way to say, "I have no personal standards." Letting employers waste your time with shallow interviews, rude behavior, requests for unpaid work or frequent schedule changes sends the message that you're willing to put up with anything to get the job. Employers quickly realize they can take advantage of you in other ways, such as undercutting your salary requirements. To avoid falling into a cycle of submission, thoroughly research employers to focus your efforts on companies that meet your minimum standards for job satisfaction.

4. You're Eager to Please

While stressing your knowledge of the company can help you stand out, gushing over every aspect of the job or smothering interviewers with compliments can have the opposite effect. Excessive praise is a sign you value the company more than yourself, giving the impression that you're lucky to get any attention from the hiring manager. For job-search success, think of yourself as the CEO and brand manager of your own career. Create a cohesive story of how your skills and experience solve problems for your target employers, so you can confidently market yourself as the right candidate for the job.

5. You Don't Interview the Interviewer

Many job seekers only ask low-stakes questions during interviews, and hiring managers assume they don't care about the details of the job. Use this opportunity to find out how the company supports workers, measures performance and fosters a healthy business culture, so the hiring manager knows you deeply evaluate your options before making decisions.

Defining career goals can help job seekers decide when it's unwise to pursue a position. By strengthening your brand and professional expertise, you get better at identifying roles where you're sure to shine.

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