How Desperation Hurts Your Job Search

This is not a good time to be a job hunter. The economy has been stuck in a downward spiral for months and every time you turn on the news you are bombarded with the latest unemployment data or layoff numbers. It’s enough to make anyone lose heart.

However, as Lindsay Olson shows us in her recent post How Not To Ask For Help In The Job Search, desperation is not only extremely difficult to overcome when you are looking for work, but it is also a major turn-off for employers.

Lindsay’s post shares a letter she received that just oozes desperation. It sounds like the author is at their wit’s end.

Here’s an excerpt:

…I know you have a lot of people in the same boat, but I’m hoping that you keep me in mind. While this little column is great, I am in desperate need of insurance and a real paycheck. Obviously I’m willing to take a pay [REDACTED] and even a ‘title’ (which really doesn’t mean a lot these days) reduction. I’ll strongly consider temp/freelance work as well. At the very least, I’m hoping you will respond that you received this.

While job hunting can be extremely challenging and stressful for the best of us, you must keep control of your emotions. My heart goes out to whoever wrote this letter as I’m sure that they are in dire straights. But regardless of how poorly they are doing, they need to realize that showing your desperation will cause more harm than good when it comes to finding work.

If you are in this situation, try to look at it from the employer’s perspective. They want to be shown what you can do for them and how you will solve their problems. They do not need to hear that you are in “desperate need of insurance and a real paycheck”.

To everyone reading this, keep the faith. We will eventually get out of this financial crisis. Until then, read How Not To Ask For Help In The Job Search. It will help add some perspective to your search.