Hot Tip Tuesday #49

The Difference Between “I Can Do This Job” and “I Want This Job”

Let’s get something out of the way early:
everyone works because they get paid. Employers know this. They’re not shocked by it, offended by it, or secretly hoping you’d do the job for the love of it. Money is the deal — and that part is understood.

But when employers skim applications — and they are skimming — they’re trying to work out something slightly different from whether you can do the job.

They’re trying to see whether you actually want this job.

Most applications focus heavily on capability. They show experience, skills, and flexibility. That makes sense, especially if you’re worried about being overlooked or filtered out too early. But many applications stop there — and that’s often where things quietly stall.

From an employer’s point of view, “I can do this job” is reassuring - but it’s also incomplete. It can sound like “I could do a lot of jobs,” which leaves them unsure where you’re actually aiming. And uncertainty is the enemy of momentum in hiring.

This is where employers hesitate — not because they doubt your ability, but because they can’t quite place you. They’re scanning for a sense of fit, and when it isn’t immediately clear, the application often slips into the “maybe” pile. And the “maybe” pile is where applications go to be forgotten.

“I want this job,” on the other hand, isn’t about enthusiasm or passion speeches. It’s about intent. It helps employers picture you stepping into this role, in this workplace, at this point in time.

And no — this doesn’t mean pretending you’re emotionally invested in the organisation’s mission statement.

What it really means is showing that you’ve thought about where this role sits for you right now. That it makes sense alongside your experience, your next step, and what you’re actually looking for - not just that it happens to be available.

This is where the “mercenary” concern quietly comes in. Employers aren’t worried about people wanting to be paid. They’re worried about hiring someone who looks like they’ll drift, disengage, or disappear as soon as something else comes along. When applications feel generic, that uncertainty creeps in even when the experience is solid.

Employers are trying to picture a very practical story:
You turning up. Learning the ropes. Fitting in. Staying long enough to matter.

That’s the story they’re skimming for — not eloquence, not perfect wording, and definitely not over-the-top enthusiasm.

The takeaway

You don’t need to convince employers you’re capable. They already assume that, or you wouldn’t be applying. What helps your application stand out is clarity - the quiet signal that this job makes sense for you, and that you’re choosing it deliberately, not accidentally.

If you want help finding that clarity and shaping it into your applications, drop into the Glenorchy Jobs Hub. We’ll help you show direction - without fake passion, and without asking you to work harder than you already are.