Keywords are very important in aligning your skills to each employer’s needs. Without them, your resume tends to go unnoticed and readers can quickly overlook how well you meet their needs.
You can find keywords throughout job postings, role descriptions and trade journals. Keywords help you sell your skills and give a clear sense of where you want the employer to focus.
When you are desperate to land a job, having a clear sense of direction tends to go out the door. Your overwhelming need for a job overshadows everything.
Desperation is an emotion networking contacts and hiring decision-makers can be sensed a mile away. They sense it when you send generic resumes that lack direction or intent. They sense it when you appear so eager to work that you come across as needy, and they sense it when you follow-up with employers and recruiters too aggressively.
Willingness to do what it takes to get a job done is an admirable trait, but that’s where job seekers can send a mixed message to hiring decision-makers. Being willing to do “whatever” can be mistaken for the desperation of a job seeker in a crisis situation.
It’s easy to let yourself become desperate, especially when your job search outlasts your finances and time beats up on your self-esteem. When desperation attacks your sense of worth, you are more tempted to accept a job that’s not a good match.
Believe it or not, desperation can scare employers and networking contacts, because it sends signals that something is wrong. Being so needy that you will take anything to get back to work is not how you want people to remember you.
Here’s the good news: Although you may feel desperate, it doesn’t have to interfere with your job search. Your awareness of how others react can be a powerful reminder that you need to work through it.
If you’re finding yourself falling into desperation mode, use these ideas to help you work through it quickly:
Keep meeting new people. Don’t rely on one group of friends.
Develop an accomplishment sheet. Write down at least 10 accomplishments, describe the actions you took to achieved each one, and list the skills involved and results.
Volunteer on a consistent basis. Giving back helps remind you that you are needed.
Study your field of interest, and know the challenges the industry is facing. This helps you prepare for interviews and networking discussions.
While employers are attracted to eagerness, they aren’t attracted to an “I will be anything you want me to be” attitude. Being focused signals confidence.
Get moving. Associate with a positive crowd that inspires you with energy and motivation.
List all of your transferable skills, where those skills are needed most and in what industry.
Slow down and pay attention to what the job requires. How will accepting the job benefit you in the long run?
Join a networking group, and attend the meetings consistently.
Desperation does not define who you are or what you can contribute to an employer. It’s an emotion that takes away success rather than contributing to landing a good job. Don’t let it stand in your way of your career goals.
