Put your best foot forward

With relentlessly bad umemployment figures, record numbers of applicants for each opening, and prolonged job searches, a “take what’s going” strategy is completely understandable to keep the wolf from the door. But the way to do this successfully is to not appear desperate.

It’s just not attractive to show you’re desperate.

None of us wants to go out with someone who’s desperate, unless we’re desperate ourselves. It doesn’t make us feel good to know we haven’t been “chosen” because of our special qualities, but only because we couldn’t say “no”. This is exactly the same feeling that a hiring manager will have if you show you’re so desperate for a job that you’ll take anything, anywhere. You’re not giving the impression that the company itself has anything special going for it, or that it’s rated highly enough that it can choose from among the best and brightest.

Of course, no job seeker is going to be walking around with a sign saying “Take me on – I’ll do anything”, but it’s often the little things that point you out as someone who doesn’t really care what the job is, or who the company are, as long as you get paid at the end of the month.

How you present yourself will show others how much you value yourself. Here are some ways you can put your best foot forward in your job applications.

Know your value
What are you really good at? How do co-workers, family and friends describe you? What can you be proud of? Make sure you project your value – your successes, your skills and what makes you a productive employee – in your CV, covering letter, and during interview. Self-confidence and realistic appreciation of your worth and potential will get you much further than the kicked-dog syndrome.

Show focus
Don’t apply for every job you see. Firstly, it’s unlikely to be a successful strategy if you’re not going for the jobs you can do; secondly it’s exhausting, unproductive and ultimately frustrating; and thirdly, it looks as if you don’t know what you’re doing. Weed out the “not a chance” openings, and save your time to apply for those where you have a better chance of getting somewhere.

Apply speculatively
Target companies where you’d like to work. Work out what makes them special, and why you would be a fit, and let them know this in your pitch to them. Help them see the connection between what they want and what you can offer. It’s seductive to be told you’ve been targeted and to know that your company attracts those who have something of value to offer.

Position yourself as someone who can do the job
Use a branding statment on your CV and on LinkedIn that reflects the job you want to do. Don’t write “unemployed” or “searching for my next opportunity” but write a description of what you can do. “Project manager for e-learning” or “Social media developer” for example.

Don’t be impatient
Give the recruiter or hiring manager time to reply. Don’t bombard them with emails or assume the worst just because they don’t get back to you for a few days. It’s annoying and intrusive to call constantly, and might cost you the offer.

Don’t be needy in the interview
An interview is also your chance to evaluate the company and job. Use your time to ask relevant, probing questions to find out if you’re suited and if you want to work there. Treat the interview as a two-way “equal meeting of minds” so you don’t across as desperate. Don’t talk for too long, don’t deny that you have any weaknesses (but supply possible solutions for overcoming them) and listen to the question carefully to make sure you can give a considered, thoughtful response.

If you think you’re overqualified…
… think of at least one aspect to the job which will be new for you in some way. Is it a new industry, will you need to develop a new skill, would it be something in which you wouldn’t otherwise have experience? If the employer thinks you’re overqualified, you might be regarded as a risky hire, so be sure to let them know what makes the job attractive to you. (Hint: It’s not just about the money.)

Offer yourself to others
There’ll always be somethiing you can offer to others in your network, and giving some of your time to help can revive a flagging sense of worth. Help by giving advice, passing on contacts or information, and allow yourself to feel needed occasionally.

Miriam Salpeter has another take on not appearing desperate. Read her post Desperately Seeking a job on Keppie Careers.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/footdude/