Come Alive

Once at a church picnic, I was handling the grill, flipping hamburgers for a big crowd. While gladly performing this role, I spent a couple hours chatting (and networking) with fellow parishioners.

In one conversation, a friend who had recently taken on a senior management role with a growing company, told me he was having a very hard time filling a key opening with his firm. The problem was not quantity. There were plenty of applicants, plenty of resumes. No, the problem was, as he put it: "I'm seeing a lot of dead wood. No passion."

I was sorry to hear that. I wondered how many excellent candidates, with strong capabilities, were disqualifying themselves by coming across poorly.

If you are a job seeker, do you have any idea how you are coming across to hiring managers?Here are five suggestions that should safeguard you from the perception that you are just "dead wood" with no passion.

Positive Energy - Although it's a bummer to be out of a job, you can't let it drag you down. Somehow you must master your outlook. Stop holding on to the past. Let go of the banana. Remind yourself that you are still intact, that you still have your strengths. Focus on your objective. Focus on the future.

Galvanize into Action - Although there is a lot of waiting during a job search, don't sit around scrolling or waiting for the phone to ring. Much better to make things happen. Go to work part-time. Take on projects. Volunteer some of your time. Take classes. Do stuff, even small tasks. The feeling of accomplishment is vital.

Continuous Research - Anyone committed to their job search nowadays has to be in continuous research mode. In other words, make sure that your feelers are out for information about what's happening in (and around) the business world. Stay abreast of what's going on in the fields of your greatest interest. Start using AI tools for company research.

Problem Solving - The employers that you would like to work for have problems. Do you know what is keeping them up at night? Do you see yourself as the solution? Can you convey that to them? Have you prepared your Accomplishment stories?

Lifelong Learning - When an employer looks at you, do they see Miss Havesham (the Dickens' character from Great Expectations), someone whose clock stopped years ago? Or do they see someone who is learning, trying new things, experimenting, and ever curious about the world?

Networking - Networking is more than just spending time on LinkedIn, though that can be very helpful if done the right way. Networking means connecting with people for meaningful conversations. Conversations about stuff that matters to both parties. Networking when done right is mutually beneficial.

Passion - Finally, let's look at passion. What is it? And how do you display it in your demeanor? Passion is strongly felt love for something, that shows up in your eyes, your face, your gestures, and your voice. You can't fake it. If you've got passion for something, it'll drive the positive energy, the research, the solutions thinking, and the learning. It will be the fire that burns within your personal engine of success.

The great Howard Thurman once said: "Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

About the author: Terrence "Terry" Seamon has experienced job loss, several times. He has channeled his experience into his work as a job search coach and career transition consultant, helping others who are navigating transitions to change.

An earlier version of this post was published in 2009.