Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Gridiron provides promising lessons in job hunting

The Super Bowl can be an inspiration to job hunters.

There are parallels between achieving gridiron glory and finding success in your career. Talent and drive are essential, but the ability to work well with others is often just as critical.

The following job candidates fumbled by failing to position themselves as team players:

COVER LETTER: "I will not get along with many other employees as I am not interested in babysitting adults."

What you call "babysitting," we call "collaborating."

"SKILLS: Avoiding co-workers and staff meetings."

You can add "avoiding interviews" to your list.

"POSITION SOUGHT: A desk job that does not involve human interaction."

Have you tried a home office?

COVER LETTER: "When slack time manifests, I look for things to do. Once, this resulted in me rearranging the entire office to my liking while the rest of the staff was away."

That's one way to get a window office.

Talking a big game can backfire because you can come across as arrogant. But lacking confidence can hurt your chances, too.

You must believe in yourself if you want to convince a hiring manager to believe in you. For instance, referring to your "snooze-fest of a resume," as one applicant did, won't generate much excitement.

"WORK HISTORY: Poor employment track record. Have been terminated more than once."

We'll need you to elaborate.

COVER LETTER: "Resume attached. Prepare to be underwhelmed."

We already are.

Finally, remember you want hiring managers to view you as ambitious, not aggressive.

COVER LETTER: "I will not apply to your company. I will pursue your company. And I will succeed!"

Do we have a say in this?

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