Want a Job? Show Some Enthusiasm!

I realize that most students and new graduates are concerned about the lack of relevant experience they bring to the table. Often this is one of the main reasons a student or new graduate will cite for not applying to a job in the first place or feeling it’s one of the reasons behind not getting a job. One thing to keep in mind though is that very often the positions applied to are FOR students and new graduates. The job postings clearly state the qualifications required and most of them list a diploma or degree or working towards one as a requirement. Experience is an asset or nice to have!

I have interviewed many students and new graduates for various clients and I can tell you that it’s not necessarily the experience but the person’s enthusiasm and initiative that is scrutinized. A tiny hint or glimmer of a doubt will have the interviewer moving on to the next candidate. After all, besides enthusiasm and initiative, there isn’t much else to base the hiring decision on considering the lack of experience. I hope this shows you how important soft skills are in an interview!

That being said, of course, the more experience you have, the better it is for you and the more chances you have of landing the job (provided you still show enthusiasm in the interview!). Things such as volunteer work, co-op or internships make a world of difference. Many youth today still don’t get this concept. The fact of the matter is, you don’t have any work experience so why will a company hire you and what do you have that another student or new graduate doesn’t have? I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get involved even if it is an unpaid position! In fact, I was just chatting with a grade 11 student the other day. The lack of enthusiasm was evident, even in a non-verbal online chat! On the other hand, I also spoke with a grade 10 student who has already won a couple of junior achievement awards, participated in a summit, and served as school ambassador! Who would you hire?

Showing enthusiasm in an interview not only means that you show interest and excitement in working for the company but also have proven experiences listed on your resume that show you are an active student or new graduate who has shown enthusiasm by getting involved and has taken the initiative to participate in and learn new things. That’s why sitting at home and refusing to consider alternative ways of gaining experience can work against you. It’s better to get experience in an unpaid position especially if you are a student or new graduate and need to gain experience. Consider the alternative – no paid job AND no experience to show either!

You have to be prepared to work and be open to new ideas and experiences - and be enthusiastic about it! Doing it grudgingly will be obvious! Unless you know exactly what you want to do, you have to be open to working in a variety of settings. Not only will you be learning new things and gaining new experiences, but you just might find that you actually enjoy the work and can continue on with a career in that field. Making excuses or expecting to find the perfect dream job while still a student is a good way to waste precious time in which you can be gaining valuable experience that you can actually use to land a paid job.

If you know exactly what you want to do, you should aim to gain experience in that field however if you are just looking for a part time or summer job to make some extra money, there’s really no reason to be extremely picky. You can apply at a number of retail or restaurant locations. Seasonal parks and attractions are always hiring students for the summer. This sort of experience is still better than no experience at all!

If money is not a factor, consider being a volunteer. Many organizations are looking for volunteers and you can gain some excellent work experience by volunteering your time. Depending upon the type of volunteering you do, you may even be able to put together a portfolio of your work to show future employers! The important thing is to be positive and be enthusiastic about what you’re doing. A negative attitude is only going to bring you down and you won’t exactly make a good impression with potential future employers.

The bottom line is, you have to be willing and want to work. You have to take the time to create an appealing resume, take the time to conduct a job search, and actually take the time to apply to positions before anyone is going to hire you! If you can’t find a job, volunteer your time to gain experience. Sitting at home complaining is not going to do you any good! Showing enthusiasm and taking the initiative to gain various experiences will eventually land you a paid job, perhaps even your dream job!

In the next article, I will write about the top 5 ways to get experience without a job.

JobBug is a job site for Students in university, college and high-school as well as New Graduates looking for full time, part time or summer jobs and co-op or internship opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area.