The Unemployed Life
How Not to Look Desperate
Desperate times can lead you to show how desperate really are to land that job. But no matter how tough a time you’ve been having—dwindling savings, unemployment running out, bills overdue—that’s the last impression you want to give a prospective employer.
Job hunting is like dating. People are attracted to confidence and turned off by the hard-up. So how can you seem self-assured while looking for work and land that job as the market heats up? Keep in mind these dos and don’ts.
DO
Remember that the more you have going on, the less desperate you will feel. So keep your pipeline full. Have a job search plan to follow. Set a goal of meeting five new people a week, whether it’s for coffee, lunch or an informational interview.
Follow up with the people you’ve met—and when you call or email, make sure to have a noteworthy topic to discuss. Stay on top of industry and company news easily with Google Alerts—go to the alerts tab in Google and set it up to send you relevant company information. When you see something interesting, forward it along with a comment. Also another way to reach out is to invite the person to connect on linkedin.com
Once you get an interview, be prepared to be asked about your down time. Don’t let the question faze you. Practice your response at home if it helps. Explain how productive you’ve been. Discuss what you’ve learned. “I’ve been strategically aligning myself with contacts that would give me access to organizations XYZ, ABC, and DEF.” “I’ve been keeping on top of the industry, and based on my research on your organization, here’s why I could add tremendous value to your team.”
Leverage a positive response. If, after a first interview you’re told you are a strong candidate, don’t act overjoyed—or to take the opportunity for granted. Follow up on the other resumes you have sent out, and send out emails to contacts and employers. Explain that you would like to make sure you’ve explored all your options before you wrap up your job search. Employers hate losing out on a good candidate.
DON’T
Call daily to follow up on a resume or an interview. Just like in relationships, that reeks of desperation.
Act non-committal or over confident—it will come back to haunt you. Any follow up conversations should be pleasant and your enthusiasm to join their organization should be transparent.
Don’t tell an employer that you took to time to find yourself, and that’s why you have been out of work so long. You will come off as lazy and not serious about your career.
Don’t try to engage a recruiter to help get you feedback at a company you already interviewed with. A recruiter only receives a commission for a candidate that has not already applied to a company.
When working with a recruiter, don’t contact the hiring manager directly. Always let the recruiter do the follow up.
Jay Hofmeister, co-founder of The Resume Bay and co-author of Sharpening the Axe, has taken the pain out of the job-hunting process for hundreds of job seekers, from entry to executive level. He invites you to go to http://www.theresumebay.com for a resume that’s guaranteed to get you an interview in 30 days as well as coaching that will help you ace the job interview. Jay also hosts “The Job Prospector” at www.webtalkradio.net.
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4 comments for “How Not to Look Desperate”
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I ran across a website — and it’s got me thinking about my own pitiful looks — called http://www.beautifuljobseekers.com. I’m not sure if the idea is genius or idiotic? Offensive or simply niche marketing?
@ johnny doe – That site looks like a lure for the rating of people, but I suspect it’s a hoax because a lot of those are stock photos. The others are certainly not professional-looking.Probably the more you click, the more the site gets credit or something. I mean, yes people hire pretty people. The do discriminate. I have overheard it, and I SEE it in the workplace where the majority look like a Sorority of pretty girls, all size zero. But it seems an outward ad would be begging for a hiring discrimination lawsuit.
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On topic –
I made a very hard decision recently. My mom had to talk me out of it. I interviewed for a full time job, something I’ve wanted since 2008 instead of the on and off again freelance gig I have that brought in $70k one year, $40k the next and near nothing this year. So yes, I am desperate.
It would be half the rate I get doing freelance, and the commute would be taxing as well as expensive. It’s located in a place that would make applying for jobs I really want difficult. I could do better folding clothes at a local department store than traveling there. Yet out of desperation, I nearly asked for the job.
Then I thought about it. I have worked hard and earned my way. I’ll just hold out for the right opportunity. That was a hard decision, but I’m not that desperate.
I am surprised to hear that there is quite a number of people who are desperate like i am for a better life, i mean if lookin for a job can be likened with trying to mack a girl chances are she is choosy for a smart dressed, cologne smellin metrosexual kind of a guy. TO ALL THE JOB SEEKERS I SAY NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER.