“Curb Your Enthusiasm” may be a hit TV show, and society in general may be ambivalent about PDEs (Public Displays of Eagerness), but there’s no doubt that keen-ness counts for job hunters.
The question is – what’s the best way to show it?
You don’t want to sound like a teenage girl gushing about the most exciting job EVER, nor do you want to seem like a long-time loser awkwardly pretending this isn’t his last chance.
Just the same, it’s worth your while to inform others if a position genuinely interests you. Job coaches and HR experts frequently suggest that a candidate’s level of enthusiasm can make the difference between getting the job or getting the brush-off.
It’s understandable. Who wouldn’t want to work with someone who’s excited about his or her job? You know they’ll do their best and go the extra mile if they have to.
It’s easy to tell the difference between real enthusiasm and the fake variety. Think about the difference between the staff at an Apple Store and a used car salesman. You know the Apple “geniuses” truly love the materials they sell and would happily play with them for hours, even if they weren’t paid.
But who knows what the used car salesman really thinks about the used Hyundai with 150,000 miles on it?
Sincerity is the key. As the French playwright Jean Giradoux said, “The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you’ve got it made.”
Or maybe the point isn’t to fake it, or broadcast it, but simply to have it, and understand it. If you’re genuinely interested in a position, or an organization, spend a little time with yourself and figure out why.
What about the organization or position excites you? What makes you a perfect fit? Write your answers down, or even memorize them. Visualize your interest as a ball of energy deep within your core, like a martial arts master. Before you have any contact with your potential new employers, whether you’re drafting an e-mail, cover letter or prepping for an interview, make a point of connecting with this little ball of energy. Let your conviction that you’re the perfect job candidate guide all your communication.
Then you won’t have to worry about curbing or creating your enthusiasm. It will just shine through and light the way to your new job.
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About Danielle: Danielle Dresden is one of the co-authors of this blog (http://www.danielledresden.com). |
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