Senior Managing Editor for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News
A family member recently showed me a comprehensive document they had prepared for a crucial job interview. The 11-page document contained detailed responses for common interview questions, bullet points about the prospective employer and personal information. However, a key aspect was missing from the document — expressing their desire for the job.
Many job seekers — just like my relative — overlook this crucial detail: explicitly expressing their enthusiasm for the job opportunity to potential employers. My relative thought I was joking at first, but they soon realized they never once said they want the job within the document.
Sharing your excitement for the role is vital during job interviews. In fact, it can be the difference between moving forward in the hiring process and not.
The Art of Not Playing Hard to Get
Contrary to what you might hear elsewhere, job seekers don't gain anything from playing hard to get. I always tell people to be candid about their desire for a job. In all my years writing and researching the world of work, I've never met a recruiter or hiring manager who appreciates an aloof job applicant.
Think about it. Employers are not merely filling a position; they're onboarding new team members who are expected to be engaged and committed to the company's mission. An indifferent employee can negatively affect overall morale and productivity.
The value of engaged workers is well-recognized in the business community. Gallup's research underscores this, linking employee engagement to increased profitability, productivity, lower turnover, and enhanced customer loyalty.
"Gallup's research has also shown that companies with engaged workforces have higher earnings per share (EPS), and they seem to have recovered from the 2008 recession at a faster rate," according to a report on their findings.
Let Your Enthusiasm Shine from the Start
You should show your excitement and enthusiasm throughout the entire hiring process — from your first emails and calls to your offer negotiation.
Then, express your excitement and desire at the start of the interview. When the interviewer asks you the first question, take a moment to thank the person for talking with you about the role, tell them how excited you are about the opportunity, and say you really want the job.
You can reiterate your excitement throughout the interview by inserting it into other answers. Finally, you can punctuate the interview by restating your excitement and desire at the end.
Staying Genuine and Realistic
While enthusiasm is valuable, it cannot compensate for inadequate skills, which remain the primary consideration for any job application. Equally important is being genuine about your excitement for a job. Pretending to be passionate about a role only leads to trouble for both you and your employer.
Ultimately, your aim should be to secure a role where you can flourish and find some degree of enjoyment in the work. Demonstrating sincere enthusiasm for an opportunity can be a powerful tool in a competitive job market.
Comments