Posted By: Heather Eagar In: Job Seeker - Interview The process of applying for jobs can be so taxing that at the end of a long day of searching, it’s pretty common to just collapse from exhaustion. With so much work involved in the process, it’s no wonder that some candidates can get a little desperate. If you feel you are in a position of desperation as you search for jobs, you don’t want this to be obvious if you are called in for an interview. So before you go in for the next one, let’s explore some ways that you can saturate your interview with self-confidence.
The process of applying for jobs can be so taxing that at the end of a long day of searching, it’s pretty common to just collapse from exhaustion. With so much work involved in the process, it’s no wonder that some candidates can get a little desperate.
If you feel you are in a position of desperation as you search for jobs, you don’t want this to be obvious if you are called in for an interview. So before you go in for the next one, let’s explore some ways that you can saturate your interview with self-confidence.
Don’t Show Up Too Early
This may seem like a strange request, but research shows that hiring managers don’t care for the job candidate who shows up for an interview an hour early. While you’re thinking that you’re showing your interest in the job, you’re actually showing the hiring manager that you’re a little desperate – or worse, don’t respect him enough to show up at the time allotted.
Think about it; the hiring manager is probably a busy person with other meetings and candidates to interview. If you show up too early, he will feel obligated to work with you despite the meeting time you set up. This may not fair well for you in the long run. So to avoid this desperate interviewing behavior costing you the job, it’s better to not announce yourself until 10 minutes prior to the interview time.
Try Not to Mention Your Personal Hardships
Another act that shows a bit of desperation on the job candidate’s end is mentioning personal hardships in the middle of the interview. For instance, if the hiring manager asks you “Why do you want this job?” it may be tempting to tell about how you were laid off, lost your house, and now desperately need food to put on the table. It’s actually a very compelling story and one that should probably be shared with the correct party. However, that party is most likely not going to be the hiring manager.
Another way to answer this question is to refrain from focusing on the negatives of the experience. While you can share that you were laid off, you can also share how you’ve grown from the experience and feel that a difficult situation such as this has left you in a great place to contribute even more now that you’re stronger. In other words, you can use this opportunity to be even more upbeat and show your resilience.
End With a Firm Handshake
While you want to showcase that you are happy to have been granted the interview, you also want to display confidence. And believe it or not, a sign of weakness for many lies in the handshake. If it is weak, you may too seem weak. However, if you end with a firm handshake and feel comfortable looking into the interviewer’s eyes, you will appear much more confident than you think.
It’s not always easy to avoid feeling desperate when you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from. But if you can swallow your anxiety for an hour or so while interviewing, you may alleviate the stress of the job search permanently by becoming once again employed.
Comments
Posted by: anand
This article is really helpful during this recession period, where most of the people laid off and searching for a new job.
Posted by: Cathy Miller
Your article above was very helpful, as I believe that's the mistake I've been making while interviewing. Your correct it's not easy going on an interview when you feel so desperate.
Posted by: Darryl Phillips
very valid information
Posted by: Valentino Martinez
Let's not confuse desperate with eager. Desperate is tense and fidgety; eager is energetic but calm and controlled; desperate is begging, e.g. "I'll do anything"; eager is passionate about customers and job performance, e.g., "I'm excited about this opportunity and look forward to hearing your decision. I know I mesh well with a team of people who expect quality results and satisfied, loyal customers";Desperate babbles and rushes their responses with almost painful expressions; eager responds logically with an even pace and smiles a lot.Listen to questions from the interviewer, rephrase if you have to get clarity, and respond accordingly. If you don't know something job related, admit it but then add, "I have had to adapt to past jobs that also had 'such and such' which I was unfamiliar with but mastered it fairly quickly."Above all, keep an even cadence to you voice responses; don't fold your arms and keep good eye contact by blinking and not staring. Staring can suddenly become intense and scary.At the end of the interview, after your questions--ask for the job. It reminds the interviewer that you're impressed with the company and the opportunity and are ready to go to work for them (you can say as much). If you don't ask for the job, they can assume you don't want the job.
Posted by: Wilson T. Rivera
Thanks for writing this article I tend to show up early for these interviews thinking It will make me look responsible.
Posted by: Alex
Great article, and very timely. Looking for a job in these hard economic times is indeed a full time job in itself. Having been downsized myself and on the job market for the last six months, these were tips I can take to heart and really use. Thanks!
Posted by: Upendra Topiwala
In your last paragraph about "asking for the Job", isn't that premature...? You are jumping the gun here.
Posted by: David Anandzi
This is exactly what i need for my interview Tomorrow. With this I feel hired already.You know what,I'll just print this.Thank You.
Posted by: Bulus Gambo
Thank you for this article, it will help me a lot in my future interviews and until am employed once again.
Posted by: Kathleen Hughes
I would like to share a strange interview situation. I was contacted for an interview with a Financial Planning company for an Admin Asst. I arrived ten minutes early and checked in. Now I spoke with this person over the phone a few days earlier and she said she would like to meet with me. As I sat, waiting, she comes out and gave me the head to toe look over and asks am I so and so. I responded yes and she hurriedly said she was not feeling well and had to leave but would contact me to reschedule. I wished her well and left. Gave her a few days and following week called her office, no call back. Did it a second time, same thing. Now I drove all the way to Bellevue for a $9.hr job and I find her manner rude and unprofessional. I'm of mixed race, fairly attractive I feel and dressed very professionally. I'm interested in how YOU would view this situation.
Posted by: Danielle
I have a question related to desperation and the chances of getting a job. I have been told by some that being employed while looking and interviewing for another job is seen as a strength and makes one look better. I began applying for jobs 9 months ago, while employed and got very few interviews. I have since quit my job due to a horrible boss that I could not tolerate any longer after the 9 months and although I have not secured a job yet, I have had more interviews scheduled since I now show that I am no longer employed. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Michael Sinon
Thank you for this article! I am actually going on an interview at 12:00 today. I have been out of work for a year now. I have over 20 years experience as an Executive Chef, but still it has been difficult finding employment. I am going to use this article as a tool to get this job! Thanks again!
Posted by: Steve Mazzella
Kathleen:It's too hard to try and interpret that situation, and know what was really going on with her. It's unfortunate, but consider yourself very lucky. If this is how they act and treat potential employees during the hiring process, imagine what it might be like actually working there. You were given all the info you need about them as a potential employer and can now make an informed decision NOT to pursue them.
Posted by: Amy
For Kathleen Hughes: I am so sorry that you had to go through that (dealing with an unprofessional, and you wasting your time) but that is what's happening now. I went on a interview with Saperstein and Associates. After I arrived the female I interviewed with told me "We really can cross train one of our people we have now." "I just wanted to meet you to make sure you didn't have two heads." Companies are playing games and wasting people's time because they know that a lot of people are out of work and they can do things like that and get away with it.
Posted by: Donna Nehme
Your suggestions for interviewing are right on target.One question I have is how do you take a person that is interviewing you who cannot look you in the eye directly? I have had this to happen on a couple of interviews particularly from men. I was very professional and dressed appropriately so I don't know what the problem was.
Posted by: Wanda Lee
The article and comments are extremely helpful during this downfall in our economy. I would like to share a similar experience and would appreciate your feedback. I took an early buy-out as an Executive and was offered a position as Program Specialist at Lake City Community College. I went for the first interview and was contacted to report to the Director and Vice President for the second. The interviews went well according the feedback and two weeks later I was informed that the pool wasn’t large enough and my information would remain on file. I have several degrees and my previous staff was 1,500 employees and I was responsible for the entire infrastructure.
Posted by: Della
For Kathleen Hughes; yes you are correct when you say a "strange interview"... however, be lucky that you are not working for someone as unprofessional as that. Also, I want to share my experience. I recently went to a local Job Fair and as I introduced myself and asked if they had any open positions in my field (HR), the person replied "You mean you want my job"....I was so shocked at such an unprofessional reply. The same day as I was asking another company (at the job fair) if they had any open position in my field, the person replied" No, I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon"! I could not believe what I was hearing from these so called Recruiters or professionals. Still I am positive, because I know I am much more professional then they are. Good luck to all.
Posted by: Patrick Boyd
I did a telephone interview with a major retailers' recruiter. She started off by telling me that this position wasn't really in her portfolio and someone else would be forwarding any information to the company. I thought this was strange. I answered all of the questions with enthusiasm. At the end of the interview, which only lasted 6 or 7 minutes, she said "It sounds like you have everything the company is looking for." She told me that someone would be getting back to me soon about the next steps in the interview process. About a week later after hearing nothing, I looked on their web site where my status, to my surprise, changed from "being interviewed" to "no longer being considered." What would you folks do in this situation? I can't get anybody at the company to return my calls. HELP!
Posted by: Puma Shoes On: 7/23/2010 8:32:55 PM
Thank you for getting the time to article this. You nailed it in the head by stating that the a win-win scenario for any firm is when a customer’s wants are met.
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