Trying too hard to seek recognition and expressing a desire to be hired can backfire on candidates - Photo: TalkShop
According to a January 2024 survey by job site Monster, 95% of people said they intend to look for a new job this year. However, 68% said that in the current difficult economy, job hunting will be challenging.
Mustain, now CEO of career coaching firm Talent Paradigm, stresses that no matter how eager a candidate is to find a job, they need to present it tactfully.
“Seeking recognition and expressing a desire to be hired can be counterproductive,” she says.
Applying to the same company multiple times
Avoid applying to a company multiple times, especially in a short period of time. If a candidate applies 20 times in two years without getting hired once, they are likely to be "blacklisted".
“I would think there must be something wrong with this candidate that they haven’t gotten hired, despite applying multiple times,” says Mustain. No matter how good you think you are for the job, the employer isn’t going to take the time to review your resume.
“Try to limit your applications to a maximum of five positions that you feel you would most like to do at the same company,” she advises.
Use the "Open to Work" feature on LinkedIn
This is a feature that LinkedIn believes will help connect employers and candidates better, demonstrating a person's needs and readiness to find a job. However, according to the former Amazon employee, this signal can be a double-edged sword that "devalues" candidates.
"When employers see this signal, they know that the candidate is looking for a job, and may not be picky about job opportunities. This function even reduces the value of a high-quality candidate.
The company is no longer trying to convince you to join them. On the contrary, you are in the position of trying to convince them to consider you," Mustain said.
Nolan Church, CEO of headhunting firm Continuum and a former recruiter at Google, agrees: “Open to Work makes it seem like candidates are desperate for work.”
Appearing vulnerable and vulnerable on social media
If you're unemployed, don't post your unemployment status on social media and express your hurt, desperate need to find a new job. Mustain cites an example she saw where someone wrote: "I just got laid off and have two kids at home. I really need another job ASAP. So if you could introduce me to a recruiter, I'd be very grateful."
While unemployment is sad and understandable, she says, expressing your job status and feelings online is no different than posting an “Open to Work” sign on LinkedIn.
"A post like this makes people lose their strengths," she analyzed.
Instead, if you've just been laid off and want to signal to people that you're looking for new opportunities, share it in a positive light, looking at the situation as a new beginning for growth.
You can talk about how you’ve learned from your experiences and how you’re ready for new challenges. This shows adaptability and a forward-thinking mindset, which will appeal to employers.
The more difficult the economy, the easier it is to recruit talented people.Source
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