In the competitive world of job hunting, success often hinges not just on qualifications and experience but also on the emotional energy you bring to the table. Unlike qualifications and experience, emotion energy can be generated quickly and without financail cost.  We would be foolish to ignore this valuable asset.

Research in social psychology has uncovered fascinating insights into the impact of emotional influence, which can be particularly relevant to overseas job seekers. Let’s explore three key findings and how they can be applied to improve your job search.

1) Positive emotions increase your chances:

Just as a positive attitude can lead to better sales results, it can also have a significant impact on your job search. Hiring decisions are not purely transactional; they are influenced by emotion and human interaction. Approaching potential employers with enthusiasm, optimism and a friendly demeanour will automatically improve your chances as a candidate. Employers are more likely to remember you and see you in a positive light. So, as a job seeker, remember that positivity can be a powerful asset.

2) Mirroring in job interviews:

A fascinating aspect of emotional influence is mirroring, where people tend to reflect the emotions of those around them. In a job search context, this means that your emotional state can influence the perceptions and decisions of potential employers. Have you ever noticed that if you fold your arms while talking, the person opposite you will also tend to fold arms? This is mirroring and it happens internally as well. Another thing to remember about mirroring is that the one with the higher energy level will have the most influence. If you exude confidence and positivity at interviews and networking events, you’re more likely to get a positive response from employers. Conversely, if you appear nervous or discouraged, this negative energy can be mirrored and potentially work against you.

3) Non-verbal communication matters:

Over 90% of what employers consider during the hiring process comes directly from you, and much of it is non-verbal. This is particularly important for foreign jobseekers because there is very little about you that will come by other sources. Nearly everything about the decision to hire or not hire will come from you. Let your body language speak the same message as your written and verbal messages. Confidence, proactiveness and positivity are traits that employers look for, and they often read these qualities in your non-verbal cues. Even if you are nervous, you can still be confident about your professional strengths and you can reduce nervousness through adequate preparation. Your posture, eye contact and general energy can all convey whether you’re a confident and proactive candidate. This comes more easily to people who prepare really well.

Believe within:

To project confidence and positivity, start by believing in yourself. Preparation is key. Knowing that you’ve done your best to prepare your profile for easy access to our core professional strengths, prepared to deliver excellent interview content and paved the way for meetings with direct contacts to decision makers can boost your internal confidence as you gain knowledge and develop relationships.

Conclusion:

As an expat jobseeker, your emotional energy is a key asset in your job search. Unlike many qualifications, it is readily available and doesn’t require years of effort to acquire. I’ve seen people with borderline profiles secure competitive positions because they radiated positive energy for the role, projects, company, region and country.

Bottom line, when you programme yourself for success, employers will be positively influenced to hire you.