What Your Motivation Level During the Job Search Tells Prospective Employers

Nancy Anderson
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Prospective employers know when they're meeting with an enthusiastic job candidate who genuinely wants to work for their organization. They also recognize candidates who are unstable, unmotivated and not sure what they want. If you're truly excited about the possibility of working for a company, that excitement usually comes across to recruiters. Your motivation level remains high, and your excitement about the organization never weans. Lack of motivation and enthusiasm is also easy to detect, which is why it is important to keep your spirits high throughout your job search process.

One of the best ways to ensure your motivation level remains high when prospective employers contact you is to only apply for jobs you really want. If you're not in desperate need of a job, avoid submitting your resume and cover letter to every company in town. Instead, decide which companies you really want to work for, and find out exactly what you need to do in order to get your foot in the door.

Your willingness to be flexible also lets prospective employers know whether or not you're truly motivated to work and genuinely interested in working for their company. It's not uncommon for recruiters to offer candidates positions other than the ones they applied for. If your dream company calls you in for an interview, be open to accepting an entry-level position, especially if there are ample opportunities for advancement. 

Sounding excited when recruiters call is another way of expressing your enthusiasm and motivation to get the job. Sound happy when you're speaking to the recruiter, and thank him for considering you as a candidate. It's also important to be punctual on your interview day, since a person who is motivated to find work is unlikely to show up late for a job interview. As a rule of thumb, plan to arrive about 15 minutes early.

Selling yourself during interviews is essential and also demonstrates your motivation to land the job of your dreams. Let employers know you really want the job, and tell them exactly why you're the best candidate for the position. Talk about your credentials, job experiences and skills, and explain how they would benefit the company. Tell them about any awards you received for outstanding job performance, and let them know you want to start right away. Ask questions, and provide thorough answers to any questions the interviewers ask.

Employers want to hire the best person for the job, and someone who is highly motivated, enthusiastic and excited about working for the company usually gets on the shortlist for the final interview. Don't be shy about expressing yourself to prospective employers, and make sure they know how you feel about working for the company. Stay motivated throughout the job search process, and make sure your motivation is evident during phone conversations with recruiters and face-to-face interviews.

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  • robert d.
    robert d. •

    Jose,

    You have a disability that can be often be viewed as a benefit as you have less tendency to become distracted yet remain ever so diligent and aware of your visual surroundings through your other senses.

    I would not view this as a deterrent from securing solid employment.

  • Jacqueline Parks
    Jacqueline Parks •

    From personal experience motivation can get you the job even if you are a less-than-ideal candidate in other ways. When I was a youth, I had a specific company for which I wanted to work. I put in my resume, and the very next day called the hiring manager to see about an interview. Obviously I was calling a little early, but the hiring manager was so impressed by my obvious enthusiasm for the position that he scheduled an interview with me during that call. I continued my enthusiasm during the interview and got the job without any specific experience in the industry.

  • Jose R.
    Jose R. •

    I'm deaf but wear hearing it is so hard to find job that I can do any suggestion as I am single father of two

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    Thanks for the comments. @Jay, hopefully you called to let them know that you were going to be late. People understand getting caught up in traffic and would appreciate the call. You could ask, when you call, if you should still come in for the interview or if maybe it would be better to reschedule - depending upon how late you are going to be. If it's only a few minutes, then it's okay. If it's going to be 15 or more minutes, then probably best to reschedule. If you can make it, then just apologize for your tardiness and offer a quick explanation - such as their was an accident on the parkway and then move on. If the interviewer has back to back interviews that day, you must realize that yours is going to be cut short so you have to work harder to get everything in when you have a shorter interview slot. Just as a PS here - if you know that you have an interview ahead of time - do a dry run. Drive to the company just as if you were going for the interview. Same time of the day as the interview so that you will know what the traffic will be like. Sure is goes without saying that some things are out of our control. But, if you just didn't plan enough time, then own up to it. You will know better the next time.

  • Jay Bowyer
    Jay Bowyer •

    Does anyone have any ideas about how to recover if we're late for a job interview? Sometimes, because of circumstances beyond our control — traffic, for example — we're late for important meetings. How can we make the very best impressions on prospective employers despite arriving later than our scheduled time slots?

  • Duncan Maranga
    Duncan Maranga •

    It's absolutely true that appearing for that job interview with enthusiasm painted all over your face actually depicts you as the right candidate for the job. Hiring managers are greatly impressed by lively interviewees who seem to be willing to give all they can, just to grip the opportunity to work for the organization. I believe its the first hurdle that you need to surmount on your way to clinching that job.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Erin I totally agree. I know I use humor but I can tell pretty quickly if it's going to be received well or not. If the manager doesn't have a sense of humor, then maybe it's not the position for me. @Catherine so true that many of us will take a job out of necessity for our financial situation rather than take a job that is our dream job or even one that we are enthusiastic about. I have learned that it's all in what you make it. Even the worst jobs can come with some type of perk even if you have to look really hard!

  • Erin H.
    Erin H. •

    People remember humor. I think a part of being yourself and showing your enthusiasm involves taking the opportunity to insert a little humor into the discussion when its appropriate. An applicant may have only a few minutes or a short phone call to make an impression, and part of being excited about a new job venture means taking every chance to make your encounter memorable to the interviewer.

  • CATHERINE S.
    CATHERINE S. •

    @Shannon, It's definitely not unethical for people to take jobs that they don't like or don't have enthusiasm for. A majority of people in this country (lower middle class and below) will not be able to get their "dream job" and must be motivated for taking a job by financial necessity. To tell these people that they shouldn't take a job that they absolutely need because it's not something they are excited about is unfair.

  • Lydia K.
    Lydia K. •

    @Shaday, I think phone interviews are especially beneficial for shy personalities. If you're well prepared for your interview - i.e. you've done your research and have questions prepared you have the benefit of getting through round 1 without the pressure of an onsite meeting. Shy people get excited too, so if you're truly interested in the position, just speak in a friendly but normal tone of voice and the interviewer should be able to pick up on your enthusiasm.

  • Jane H.
    Jane H. •

    Dream and job are not two words I normally put together in a sentence. In my experience, it's very important to be motivated to do the work assigned and to always do it well, but it's not like winning the lottery. I think it's important to keep a cool head and not get too excited. I come across as friendly and happy but I would never want an employer to think I was too anxious. I feel that could convey the wrong impression.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Shaday the best advice anyone can give is to just be yourself. The interviewer will typically take the lead whether on the phone or in person. You don't have to try to change yourself but you do need to be prepared. @Mike most people don't even realize it but today, with camera everywhere, you are on display from the time you pull into the parking lot at most places. I have actually done the same thing when I was interviewing. I would intentionally have them wait just to see what they would do. I have to agree that the one playing games or texting on their phones is probably not the one that I am looking for. Unless the candidate is going to be working in complete isolation, being social is a very important aspect of their character - something that I would want in my new employee. Anyone else have experience here?

  • Shaday Stewart
    Shaday Stewart •

    Nowadays, a lot of preliminary interviews happen over the phone, which makes it more difficult for a reserved or shy person to get her personality across. You also want to strike a balance between energetic and professional, but you don't want to seem like your enthusiasm is rehearsed. Do you have any tips for achieving that conversational balance over the phone and making it clear to recruiters that you are eager to work for that specific company without going overboard with annoying or fake perkiness?

  • Mike Van de Water
    Mike Van de Water •

    Nancy that is a great point about the interview starting as soon as you enter the building. A lot of times I would make a candidate wait 10 minutes or so simply to see how he responds. Motivated and interested candidates will (politely) interact with the staff and "take in" the surroundings, as if they are imagining themselves there every day. A candidate that just sits and browses Facebook on his phone probably isn't he guy I want on my team.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    Thanks for the comments. @Abbey it should go without saying but certainly we do not have to accept the job just because it's offered. If the company tries a bait and switch tactic maybe it should give you pause in whether or not you really want to work for that company. @William - so very true - attitude is everything. Before the interview, during and after - it all counts. You are on display from the time you pull into the parking lot and that camera captures you. Walking into the building. Greeting the receptionist. Even just sitting and waiting - you are on. The interview ends when you drive away. We don't usually think this way. We figure that the interview starts when we first say hello to the hiring manger. But you can be sure, if the hiring manager is on the fence between you and another candidate, he is going to ask around and see if anyone talked to you and how you reacted. So make every moment count.

  • William Browning
    William Browning •

    The best way to get that job interview, with all other things being equal with other candidates, is your attitude. You must maintain enthusiasm every time you talk to someone about landing a job, because you never know who this person talks to in HR. The person who takes your email or answers the phone might remember your attitude and say something to someone responsible for hiring you.

  • Abbey Boyd
    Abbey Boyd •

    Of course an employee should show their motivation and enthusiasm, but one thing I disagree with is the idea of being flexible and accepting any job the company offers. If you are applying for a particular position and the company offers you an entry-level position instead, I don't believe it is necessary to accept the offer. Many people have other choices, and accepting an entry-level position means having to start from the very bottom, when your skills and experience may not warrant this. Just as the article suggests to only apply for jobs you want, only accept the jobs you want, don't settle for anything the company offers.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Shannon if you need the job due to financial reasons, your excitement won't be fake because you really need the job. What you may have to watch out for, instead, is showing desperation.

  • Shannon Philpott
    Shannon Philpott •

    I completely agree that enthusiasm can help land you a job. However, when applicants are seeking a job due to financial reasons versus interest in the industry, do you think it is unethical for them to feign excitement? Many times, people can still succeed in a position even if it is not their dream job.

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