Looking for a job these days can be very frustrating. This can be especially true when job seekers continue to read articles about how the economy is improving. When I was unemployed reading those warm and fuzzy articles about the economy left me feeling downright panicked. I found myself questioning “Where does this leave me?” “Will I ever work again?” “How did I get left behind?”
However, this can be the worse time to panic. Despite of the rosy stories on the economy, many job applicants continue to land an average of one interview every three months and it is very important to make certain that each and every interview counts. Even if it is a learning experience. It also means presenting yourself in the best light in every situation where an employer may find you, including online, over the phone, and in person. This is a time when first impressions have never been more important. There is no time to publicly entertain thoughts of self-pity, anger, doubts or even feelings of desperation because the harsh truth is most employers are reluctant to hire anyone displaying these emotions.
The media may make it appear as if everyone in the country has been out of work at sometime over the past three years. In actuality, there are millions of workers who were not severely impacted by the economic downturn. Yes, they may have lost money in their retirement account, their home values may have fallen or they may have had to work a bit harder but their pay-check, liquid assets and ability to pay their bills were not impacted.
Many of these people are the same people that interview applicants and when an applicant comes in looking weary, anxious and upset due to the economy, often times the interviewer does not have first-hand knowledge or understanding of the job seekers’ situation and therefore, they don’t understand why the job seeker may appear less than upbeat during the interview. The emotions of the job search, coupled with the need to appear unencumbered and professional are hurdles for job hunters to cross.
A good thing for job hunters to keep in mind is, most people hire individuals who they understand, people who seem like them, individuals that remind them of themselves. If the interviewer does not have a first-hand understanding of what the job search has been like; there is a good chance that they won’t be able to understand or identify with an applicant who shows up for an interview with a big gap in their resume and wearing their emotions on their sleeve. Even if the interviewer is a new hire, there is no guarantee that they will be able to identify with individuals experiencing long-term unemployment. The employer may even find themselves pitying the job seeker, which can cause a disconnect and result in an applicant not getting the job.
Instead of wallowing in emotions before, during and after an interview, put some thought into communicating with the interviewer and getting to know the organization better. A few basic open ended questions can help a job seeker to connect with the interviewer as well as demonstrate areas where their experience and expertise can bring added value to the company.
Get ready to meet with prospective employers by preparing questions. These questions should solicit additional information about the company, engage the interviewer and provide an opportunity to offer positive information about your work ethics and experience to the prospective employer. Asking open ended questions can simulate the conversation during an interview. These are not necessarily the types of questions, that should be held until the end of the interview, when the interviewer typically asks an applicant if they have any questions. In many cases, by the time most interviewers reach the point where they ask an applicant about their questions, they have already formed their opinion. This is to say, that good end of the interview questions can top off a good interview, but they can rarely revive a bad or mediocre interview.
Asking questions can be empowering and it can boost confidence. Asking questions during an interview helps to demonstrate that you are not simply looking for a way off of the unemployment line, but you are just as serious about your job search as they are about the hiring process. And those are areas where a connection between an applicant and an interviewer can be made.
