Take All The Positives You Can Into Your Job Search Efforts...And Leave The Anger Behind.

In my staffing days, I’d hear all kinds of tales from frustrated job seekers. Many of them had very real issues and difficulties that had caused difficulty along the way. Some would vent about how unfair an employer seemed, or how unresponsive another staffing firm was. Others might just vent frustration with the Tampa Bay job market, salaries, or the process of having to interview “again and again.”
Most of this took place during far better economic times, too.

As an interviewer, it tended to wear me out. As someone trying to find opportunities for people, I sometimes just couldn’t “let go” of all the negativity sent my way. I’d never advertised services as a Mental Health Professional. Simply, I was a staffing person juggling candidates and clients and trying to create good employment fits for both sides of the equation.

Times are tough. Even when they aren’t for you, they may be for someone else. More importantly, we all have issues that wear on us, frustrate us and tire us out. It’s called “life.”

Each day is a new battle. Why carry rusty armor?

Since there’s no second chance to make a first impression, bringing up your very real pain and frustration to interviewers, HR folks, people at a job fair or staffing/search professionals is not going to create a good first impression. We have every right to feel; listeners have every right not to be subject to all our feelings in depth.

Interviewing types are not totally devoid of empathy or sympathy. People who can help you in your search are not all indifferent.

However, there’s a big difference in introducing yourself with “Man, it’s been a very tough 16 months” versus “I’m a Civil Engineer.”

Call it the “Nearest Exit Theory.” If you are standing alone at a party and someone walks up to you starting a rant of invective and frustration, one of your first thoughts is probably “How do I get out of this?” You want the nearest exit.

So will the people who are helping you on your job search.

Vent to friends, family or inanimate objects. That’s healthy. It’s what a support system is for. Close friends and family who will listen and encourage, and perhaps share their own frustrations in a safe environment.

So, take all the positives you can into your job search efforts and leave the anger behind.

I’m not telling you that it’s easy, only that it’s necessary. Employers are looking for people who can be an addition, not a drain. People who can add to a team, not suck the life out of it. People who can bring ideas, not invective.

Focus on what you have to offer, what you can do, what you can learn and what opportunities you feel you are a good “fit” for. We all have things to offer – focus on the unique skills and experience you and only you have.

Plus, you are selling an employer on the truth: what you have done and what you could do.

As good as it is to hear something positive, just imagine how reinforcing it is for you to be saying those positive things. About you!


Greg