Are You an Overeager Job Candidate

Are You an Overeager Job Candidate Are You an Overeager Job Candidate 2We’ve all been there: you found a job that you really want, and in an effort to get hired, you may have let your unbridled enthusiasm get the better of you. Sure, the line between being an eager beaver job candidate (and being slightly stalker-y) can be kind of blurry sometimes. If you need some clarity to decide if you’re a tad too overeager, this list can help you figure it all out- and help you maintain your professionalism, too. Are you an overeager job candidate? Here are a few signs the answer to that question might be yes:   You’ve gotten overly social on social media. There’s nothing wrong with researching the company you’ve applied to and trying to find out as much as you can about the person you’re going to interview with. (In fact, you should be doing this!) But where it can cross the line is when your online perusing takes a more personal approach, such as trying to connect with a potential boss on his personal Facebook account, or making super friendly comments on his Instagram pics. That doesn’t mean that you should skip connecting online altogether. Ask to join the person’s LinkedIn network, and follow the company’s social media profiles- but steer clear of the personal. You’re overly chatty in conversations. Ideally, a job interview should feel like a conversation between two professionals, rather than a back-and-forth QA sesh. Thing is, when you’re trying to win over a potential boss, you might start to over-answer the questions. This can cause you to create long-winded answers when shorter, more succinct answers would do. Your answers should optimally be between 1-2 minutes max. Any longer, and you’re either over-answering the question- or not answering it at all. You’re a “yes” person- even when you shouldn’t be. During a job interview, the hiring manager rattles off a list of responsibilities that come with the job. In an effort to win favor, you answer, “I can do that!” to everything. While you might think that you’re showing your competence, you could be coming across as too eager to please. If you truly can perform all of the tasks of the position, show the hiring manager how. Offer specific examples of past work experiences, or the skills and education that you possess that directly relate to the job’s duties. You’ve crossed the line between casual and professional. Your interviewer signs on a few minutes late to your video interview and apologetically explains that she had to take her kids to daycare. In turn, you respond, “Just this morning, my two-year-old was puking on the floor.” While you might feel like you’re having a cool bonding moment with your soon-to-be boss, it could appear that you’re too overeager to establish a personal connection. Even if your interviewer is casual, you still need to be as professional as possible during the interview. You’ve popped up at the office- unannounced. About a week after your job interview with an employer who seemed very interested in you, you suddenly realize that you forgot to submit the latest copy of your resume. No worries, you think, you’ll just drop it off quickly at the office (and sniff around to see if they’ve come to any hiring decisions yet). Think twice before you approach an employer’s office unannounced, though. Interviewers rarely appreciate unscheduled drop-ins. Instead of using an excuse to go back to the office, follow up with the employer via email. Reiterate how much you enjoyed meeting him, update him on any new relevant information (like if you got a new license or certification), and that you’re available should he have any post-interview follow-up questions. That way, you’ll look less overeager- and much more professional. Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- you’ll get a month free service and they’ll get 30% off!