Are you showing the right attitude & commitment to your job search?
True job commitment is a quality that most employers appreciate and reward. Your commitment will be the difference between success and failure.
We see job commitment much like that of a long marriage. It is never going to be totally plain sailing, but once you iron out some small kinks you can look forward to years of a secure, fulfilling partnership.
You never get a second chance at a first impression…
With the job market picking up, we have come to notice some candidates, and those looking for a new job or their next career move, perhaps don’t possess this commitment that is highly valued.
We always see the positive in every situation, and this is why we chose to share our experience with you…
Recently we have had a few candidates applying for roles, which we then make a subsequent appointment to meet with them (we always meet our clients and candidates face to face in order to gain a true perception and an exact feel for what they want and need) and they are not turning up. No phone call, no forewarning of their absence or even an attempt at an excuse. We then ring them to see if everything is ok and are met with “I just forgot, sorry!”
You forgot? That translates to “I’m not that bothered” in our book.
Whilst some of the power has now shifted back to the job-seeker with the job market improving, it may not always be that way and so it is important to not give the wrong impression. You never get a second chance at a first impression remember, so think about the long game.
Put simply, this carries forward into many walks of life. If you aren’t committed to something, can you expect the same in return? What’s that saying: if you’re only prepared to put in half the effort, expect half the results?
3 ways to show you’re committed to your job…
Be punctual – Arriving on time for a job interview or work is typically a major indicator of your commitment level. Employees who are personally invested in their work tend to be where they’re needed, when they’re needed.
Be honest – Honesty goes hand in hand with commitment. When you are committed to something you rarely make excuses or lie. Whether you are writing your CV or in a work situation, it always pays to be honest. If you were part of a team but achieved something great, say so, don’t just take the credit individually. No one likes a employee who wants all the credit for a team project, just as no prospective employer wants to find out you’ve lied on your CV.
Get it done – Whether it’s a tailored covering letter, an update on your CV or a task at work, when you’re committed to a job, it means fully completing all tasks on time. True commitment means you always try to do better and aim higher. That may involve taking classes to enhance your skills, taking work home or even requesting constructive criticism. You shouldn’t have to be chased to complete something. Take the initiative; if you think you have something valuable to add, add it.
Without commitment, you will only be interested, not determined. That means you show up sometimes, just let things happen half-heartedly rather than follow them and make sure they happen.
As Confucius said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”