Showing enthusiasm at interviews

[Quartz]

This is very true. I'm an unemployed IT guy and the agencies are getting several hundred applicants per vacancy. Previously, work was virtually on tap.

 

[jayeola]

It's funny though The techie job boards are firing emails left right and center. getting a bit suspcious of them as there are some jobs that you just know are sniffing for candidates. Anyways, the phone is ringing again.

 

[Sadken]

One time i got told i had failed for not smiling enough. I went for the next one like Pip Schofield on acid and nailed tjat mother.

 

[Detroit City]

So any ideas how to get over this huge stumbling block?

yea, just fake it like everyone else

 

[FridgeMagnet]

If there's an aspect of the job that means you chose it over another job - even if it's just "it fits in well with my experience" - you talk that up. "I've got a background in Ruby development so this Ruby development job sounds perfect for me" etc.

 

[FridgeMagnet]

This is very true. I'm an unemployed IT guy and the agencies are getting several hundred applicants per vacancy. Previously, work was virtually on tap.

90% of those will be useless chancers mind. I don't think that ratio ever changes.

 

[Quartz]

Still, I haven't had an interview in over a month. One next week, though.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I am actually very keen, constantly upgrading my skills and I love tackling stuff that's a really formidable challenge, the problem is getting enthusiastic about XYZ Co.

Until recently I've been running my own 1-man software house and I think it's fair to say I prefer the service provider - client relationship over employee-employer any day. Problem is it was scarcely viable before and now in a nosedive economy it's a no-hoper.

Well, here's your answers.

When they ask why you want the geek job with XYZ Co., you say you want the job because you're very enthusiastic about problem-solving, you like challenges, and you believe that the job is both within your capabilities, but sufficiently challenging so as to give you job satisfaction.

And then say something like you've had a lot of experience having a lot of responsibility and autonomy, and having to resolve problems, liaising with clients directly, and this means that you're quite good at delivering to a brief, thinking of the end user and their needs, whether that's an external client, or an internal client.

Blah blah blah.

Turn it around, when they ask you questions about why you want to work for company XYZ, make your answer less about 'Ooh, I absolutely love the idea of working for a company that manufactures and sells widgets' and make your answers more about the job itself and how you can be enthusiastic about the tasks you'll be required to do, as opposed to what the company's end product is.

Or something like that.