You Gotta Have Heart to Get the Job

Recruiters consistently say that they are looking to hire employees that have heart for the organization. Well, they don't exactly say it that way, but since this post is coming on the heels of Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to relate this post to the heart-obsessed holiday.

Having coached numerous college seniors in their job searches,  I know just how grueling the job search can be for you, especially since there's just so much competition out there. How do you set yourself apart from the thousands of equally bright and ambitious recent college grads who are applying for the same positions as you? The key is to demonstrate heart, or enthusiasm and passion, for the company you're applying to. So how do you do this? It can be done in several ways. One way is to follow the company on LinkedIn. Another way is to connect with recruiters and people you know or your school's alumni who work at the company. A third way is to show your passion in your cover letter. And lastly, the ultimate way, is to show your enthusiasm during every stage of the interview process.

If you're finding it hard to muster up your enthusiasm during any step in the job application process, it could be a red flag that the company and/or position isn't a good fit for you. Go with your gut feelings. Then find a job and company that do excite you, and you'll be surprised at just how easily everything flows.

And by the way, this advice doesn't just apply to college seniors. It applies to anyone looking for a job. Read this article to learn more about the connection between passion and landing the job: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/01/23/aol-career-luck-college-student-needs-job/