One Thing Killing Your Interviews: You Have to Want It!

In today’s economy, finding a new job takes more time than ever before. Depending on which government websites you visit and which studies you read, you’ll find that an average job search takes at least 6 months, and most of the time 12-18 months. The phenomenon that’s perplexing me, though, is this: the longer you’re looking, the harder it seems to be to get a job? Why? I contend it’s because you’re making a very simple single mistake in your search: you’ve stopped getting your hopes up.

This may sound a little stupid. I know what you’re thinking. “Shut up, Marcy! You have no idea what it’s like to be unemployed. Of course I stop getting my hopes up! They’ve been shot down so many times.” Trust me, Career Girls, I get it! I’ve been through the ups and downs of looking for a job both inside and outside of employment. I understand what it can feel like to interview, get excited, believe you’re going to get the job, and then find out you were passed over for someone else.

But if you really want to get out of your unemployment rut, you’re going to need to dig in and find the excitement again. Whether it’s your first interview in years or your 10th in the last month, the person sitting across from you has to feel that you really want the position. And if you’re too jaded to be excited, you’re too cautious to really get your skin in the game, and you’re holding back, they’re always going to pick someone else. Sure, it risks tears and frustration, but it also risks passion and enthusiasm that can get you the job!

So go out there in your next interview, no matter how jaded you are, and tell yourself, “I WANT THIS!” Only that attitude can get it!