It's hard to be passionate about a job when you have no connection to the company. How do you show enthusiasm in your cover letter and job interview if you don't absolutely love what you'd be doing, or where you'd be doing it?
<p>Fortunately, there's an easy way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a company during the application and hiring process. </p><p>Here's how you can make meaningful connections with potential employers during your job search.</p>
1. Find Information About The Company
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e80e436aaa6afddc93879de51bff11df"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yiFhMUXsVCs?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>If you're not totally excited about the company you're hoping to get hired at, then it's possible you just don't know <em>enough</em> about them (or maybe they don't belong on your <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/creating-an-interview-bucket-list" target="_blank">interview bucket list</a>). Before writing a cover letter, and especially before going in for an interview, you should always check out the company's website.</p><p>Also, go to <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Glassdoor.com</a> to see what past and current employees have to say about the company, and take a peek at their social media accounts. By doing this, you'll get a better sense of their company culture and how they get involved in their community.</p>2. Reach Out To Current Employees
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjMwOC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDY5MTkzMn0.1xPQFIWcIaqzZBl6v9rB9SdT469wys_n_lRV6-EBp8I/img.jpg?width=980" id="28de3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3043d84f2529f177898c7b5923cd18d2" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Man reaches out to connect with employees of the companies he wants to get hired at" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>Reaching out to the current employees of a company is the most direct way to form a connection with a potential employer. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy.</p><p>You should start a chat with current employees on LinkedIn, that way you're getting an inside scoop of what it's like to work at the company. And once you've <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/what-to-say-when-connecting-on-linkedin" target="_blank">connected with a person at the company on LinkedIn</a>, you'll feel a connection to the company itself by default.</p>3. Research The Company's Values & Beliefs
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjM1NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYzNDMwODY4Nn0.K7i7H5B2m_gG0OeYHSATWIqlZ5jE9_wo1wbfmXEo1BQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="e7c9d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="932aa799bf87c04f82232e780ed2d367" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Woman connects with a company while researching for her job search" data-width="900" data-height="600" /><p>A company's <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/must-have-company-core-values" target="_blank">core values</a> and beliefs can greatly impact how passionate their employees are about their work. That's why it's important for you to know whether your personal values and beliefs align with the companies you're hoping to get hired at.</p><p><strong>In other words, would you be a good cultural fit?</strong></p><p>This question is as important to you as it is for the potential employer.</p><p>While <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/research-before-job-interview" target="_blank">researching the company</a> before you write your cover letter or go in for an interview, you should try to find information on their values and beliefs as an organization. Maybe once a month the company volunteers in the community. Maybe a percentage of their profits go to causes you support. Maybe they're dedicated to environmental sustainability in all areas of their business. Whatever the company's specific values and beliefs are, they're perfect opportunities for you to connect with them.</p>4. Create A Connection Story
<img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjM5Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3NTQzNjM3M30.C97gCwbyUabMngizNg0kmGsL9LlIGvqNwQOKzcJvMgc/img.jpg?width=980" id="df88b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ff82e4df5033dcbee8f34fc7ccc9f33e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Man writes a connection story in his job search" data-width="900" data-height="599" /><p>After you do all of the above, you should have an excellent idea of what the company does, who they are, and what they stand for. Now, it's time for you to create a connection story to tell in your cover letter and in your interview.</p><p>Start by answering this question: <em>Did something happen to you that made you respect, appreciate, or admire what the company does?</em></p><p>You could be a loyal customer to this company, or a good friend of an employee. But if you didn't already have that connection to the company, or that passion for what they do, you have it now from your research and your conversations with current employees. </p><p><strong>In your cover letter and in your job interview, talk about how you were, or are, affected by the products and services the company provides.</strong></p><p>To create a connection story that will stand out to employers, you need to connect your personal story to the company's mission. If you do this, you'll write a <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/writing-disruptive-cover-letter">disruptive cover letter</a> <em>and </em>be <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/how-to-be-memorable-in-interview" target="_self">memorable in your interview</a>. </p><a href="https://workitdaily.lpages.co/workitdaily-job-search-checklist/" ><img lazy-loadable="true" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjE5OS9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY3MjcyOTk5OX0.VuDhC5ZG7Xe0_wz2FKMH1VoRLWtrF8CXe-20ph-mLn4/img.png?width=980" id="d85d6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="034d27eb748e8718b762f0421c3e2e1f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Download Work It Daily\u2019s free job search checklist" data-width="506" data-height="506" /></a><p>We hope these tips will help you connect with any potential employer you come across during your job search. You'll probably become passionate about a company or employment opportunity you never considered before...it may just take a little research first.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Need more job search help? We're here for you!</strong></p><p>Check out our <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/resources" target="_self">FREE resources</a> page and <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/virtual-career-events-free-premium" target="_self">Live Events Calendar</a>.</p><p>Or, join our <a href="https://workitdaily.lpages.co/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">career growth club</a> today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!</p><p>If you want FREE career advice in your inbox, <a href="https://www.workitdaily.com/career-advice-newsletter" target="_self">subscribe to our newsletter</a> The Daily Dose!</p><p><br></p><p><em>This post was originally published at an earlier date.</em></p>
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