[stevenp]

Seriously? It's not trying too hard at all.

If there's a job you really want and you're really passionate about getting it no matter what, you should do anything in your power to try to get it. If you fail, you can at least say that you tried as hard as you could and it just didn't work out.

[bonemachine]

If there's a job you really want.. you should do anything in your power to try to get it.

No really, you shouldn't. For the sake of your long-term self-esteem & professional stature, what you should be looking for is a 2-way street.

Which is not to say you should apply for companies that are hard to get into, or for which get tons of applicants that you'll have to stand out against -- of course you should. And of course you should do your homework -- look into their business plan, the profiles of people they've hired (and who are likely to interview you), etc.

But you shouldn't ever have to feel that you have to bend over backwards to get their attention. The basic point is that ultimately what you're after is a relationship where they need you as much if not more than you need them.

And to get to that point, you have to head off any inkling in their mind that you're "chasing after them." Not that you should be doing the opposite (i.e. playing hard to get). But one way or another, you need to enter into the courting process with a rock-solid sense of self-assurance that -- whatever your deltas (+/-) against their ideal profile/skillset -- you're bringing something very valuable to the table, namely, yourself. And that it should be obvious to them that stand out against the pack, and -- while you may not end up being their first or final pick -- you clearly deserve front-line consideration. Without having to jump up and down, wave your arms, or make mixtapes for them, etc.

Analogies to dating being of course more than appropriate here.

[pedalpete]

There is nothing wrong with working hard to get their attention. It isn't a 2-way street until you've already proven yourself, that's when the relationship become symbiotic.

The dating analogies don't apply.

[null_ptr]

If you're worth anything you don't need to break into song to get them to hire you. Your time would be better spent honing your skills and looking toward new opportunities. Workers have the right to dignity just like everybody else.

[bonemachine]

Exactly -- "breaking into a song" doesn't seem to convey anything other than a palpable lack of confidence.

[collyw]

You should watch The Apprentice (UK version at least). These people are willing to humiliate themselves on public TV to get that job. And usually they have quit within a year.

Actually X-factor is an even better example. Some people on it are clearly talentless. They have been deluded into thinking if they want it bad enough and try hard enough, they can become a star.

[rfnslyr]

How about instead of making pointless songs and trying to appear cute, have your expertise speak for you?

100 hours on shit not related to the job, yikes.

[collyw]

I reckon I could get the bulk of a side project done in that time.