How to get hired fast is a question I’ve been asked countless times recently. Applicants reach out, eager for a shortcut or magic formula to land that job quickly. You’ve probably heard the usual advice: polish your resume, rehearse your answers, dress the part, and rack up experience. And sure, all of that matters. But most people won’t tell you: you can do all that and still not get hired.

I’ve interviewed a lot of applicants and noticed a surprising pattern. Many are highly educated and have solid experience, but they’re missing something crucial: those small but powerful traits like gratitude, politeness, and humility. When they ask for help, it often sounds more like a demand: “Hey, I need help for the interview! Send me answers now.” Then, after you help them, they don’t even say, “Thank you.” If you were an HR manager, would you want to recruit people who ask for help like that? If you did, you already know what kind of working environment you’d create.

I see this attitude more than I’d like to admit. Sometimes, asking for help reveals a lot about how someone will behave in the workplace. If this is how they treat people before getting hired, imagine what happens afterward. In 2025, companies are looking for more than just technical skills. They want people they want to work with, people who communicate well, stay humble, and treat others respectfully. Today, let’s explore the 10 real reasons why gratitude, politeness, and humility often beat experience to get hired fast!

Get Hired Fast Tip #1

Gratitude Shows Emotional Intelligence

Do you know what truly makes someone stand out in the job hunt? It’s not just what they can do but how they connect with others. And a big piece of that puzzle is something we call emotional intelligence. Being aware of your feelings and understanding how others feel, too.

Gratitude is a key sign of emotional intelligence. When you genuinely thank someone, you’re showing you see their effort, their time, or their help. It’s more than just saying “thanks.” It shows you’re aware of the people around you. This isn’t just about being polite; it tells an interviewer something important: It shows you’re not just focused on yourself. It hints that you understand teamwork and value other people.

Let’s imagine two equally skilled people walk into an interview. One takes a moment afterward to send a thoughtful thank-you note. The other? Silence. Who do you think the interviewer will remember more fondly? That small act of gratitude can make a big difference. It keeps you in their thoughts and shows that you value connections. As someone wise once said, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and sometimes, into an offer letter.”

Get Hired Fast Tip #2:

Politeness Reflects Professionalism

It’s not just what you say but how you say it. I’ve observed and learned this over and over. When trying to make a good impression, especially regarding jobs, being polite isn’t just lovely… it shows you’re a pro!

Sometimes, some think being polite means you’re not assertive or phony. But really, it’s just about showing respect. Simple things like saying “please,” “thank you,” and “I appreciate your time” tell people you understand how to act in a workplace. Many times, people miss out on great opportunities not because they aren’t skilled but because they struggle with communicating with others.

In an interview, the person talking to you isn’t just checking if you can do the job. They’re also thinking, “Would this person be a good teammate? Would I enjoy working with them? How would they represent our company?” Politeness plays a significant role in those questions.

Suppose you have a fantastic product that has your skills and experience. But if the way it’s presented is messy or off-putting, people might not even give it a second look. Politeness is like good packaging. It makes people interested in what’s inside, wanting to “open the box” and see what you have to offer.

Get Hired Fast Tip #3:

Humility Invites Trust

It’s funny how often we think we must have all the answers to impress people. But honestly, showing that you’re willing to learn can be more powerful.

• Nobody knows everything. Trying to act like you do in an interview can backfire.
• Companies aren’t just looking for know-it-alls. They want team players who are open to learning and easy to get along with. That’s where humility comes in.

When you show humility, it’s like saying, “I’m good at what I do, but I’m also ready to learn and grow.” And trust me, that makes a big difference. If you go into an interview acting like you’re the most intelligent person in the room, that’s usually a turn-off for the people hiring. But if you walk in ready to listen, eager to pick things up, and wanting to contribute to the team, you become someone they see potential in – someone they’d like to work with.

Get Hired Fast Tip #4:

Entitlement Creates Resistance

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, as they say. That rings true when it comes to landing a job. Let’s flip the script for a moment. Think about when someone acts like they’re owed something – maybe they expect you to drop everything to help them, or they walk into a situation feeling like a job should just be handed to them. It kind of rubs you the wrong way.

That’s because it puts people on the defensive when you come across as entitled. Nobody likes to feel like they’re being told what to do. It doesn’t matter how brilliant someone is, but if they make others think they have to help or hire them, it creates bad vibes.

• Being thankful and humble is like gently knocking on a door.
• Acting entitled is like trying to kick that door down.

Which approach is more likely to get you invited inside? This sense of entitlement can manifest in different ways during job interviews. Maybe someone keeps cutting off the interviewer, can’t stop name-dropping important people they know, or refuses to admit they have areas for improvement. And you know what? It rarely works out the way they hope.

Get Hired Fast Tip #5:

Gratitude Builds Relationships (Which Opens Doors)

It’s often said that it’s not what you know but who you know. There’s a lot of truth to that, especially when finding a job. And what helps you build those “who you know” connections? Well, a big part of it is simply being thankful. A lot of job wins don’t happen during the formal interview. They occur in the chats before, the follow-ups after, and the little interactions along the way. And gratitude? That’s the fuel that keeps those connections going strong. When you take the time to thank someone for:

1. Referring you to a job
2. Take a look at your resume
3. Even just offering some words of encouragement

…you’re not just being polite… you’re building a real relationship with that person. And guess what? People remember how you make them feel. Showing gratitude helps build you up, too. If people know you as someone positive, supportive, and appreciative of others, your circle of contacts naturally grows. And that network? It can unlock opportunities that your resume alone just can’t.

Get Hired Fast Tip #6:

These Traits Make You Shine in a Sea of Applicants

So many people are chasing the same job openings. In that kind of crowd, the simple things – like being thankful, being polite, and staying humble – can make you stick in someone’s mind. Most applicants are focused on what the company can do for them. But the ones who catch the interviewer’s eye are the ones thinking about what they can bring to the table, and they show that in their communication.

Picture a big potluck. Everyone brings their main dishes, which are like your skills and experience. But then you show up with a delicious dessert. It’s something extra that leaves a delightful taste in everyone’s mouth. That “dessert”? That’s gratitude. It’s that little something extra that makes you memorable.

Get Hired Fast Tip #7:

Soft Skills Are Becoming Hard Requirements

Companies used to consider qualities like being a good communicator or understanding people’s feelings to be just “nice to have” in an employee… you know, the “soft skills.”

But now, especially with more teams working online or partly online, these “soft skills” aren’t longer a bonus. They’re becoming must-haves – the “hard requirements.” Things like how well you can talk to people, how much you understand their perspective (that’s empathy), and just generally being emotionally mature are now things companies are looking for and checking for during interviews.

You’ll even see it in how they write their job descriptions. Instead of just listing technical skills, they’re using phrases like “team player” (meaning someone who works well with others), “emotional intelligence” (being aware of and managing emotions), or “growth mindset” (being open to learning and improving).

It’s saying that companies aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job technically. They also really care about how that person will fit into the team and how they’ll interact with others. They want someone kind, willing to learn, and treats people well.

Get Hired Fast Tip #8:

You’re Being Watched Before and After the Interview

Getting a job isn’t just about that one interview day. Companies are paying attention to how you act even before you walk in the door and even after you leave. It’s not about thinking everyone’s secretly watching your every move to catch you doing something wrong. Instead, it’s about realizing that every interaction you have with the company and its people leaves an impression.

For example, if you send emails that sound demanding or if you’re impatient in your messages or on social media related to the job, recruiters see that. It can be a red flag for them, making them think you might be challenging to work with down the line. But the opposite is also true! If you send a nice thank-you after talking to someone, if you’re polite in your emails, or even if you just act professionally in online spaces where the company might see you, people notice that, too. It quietly builds trust. They start to think, “This person is respectful and considerate.”

Thus, it’s not just about nailing the interview answers. It’s about showing who you are through interactions because people pay attention.

Get Hired Fast Tip #9:

These Traits Help You Handle Rejection Better

Getting a “no” when applying for jobs stinks, right? It’s easy to feel down or even a little angry. But how you react to that “no” can make a big difference. When you approach rejection with gratitude and respect – maybe by sending a polite thank-you note for their time even though you didn’t get the job – it can surprisingly lead to good things. For example:

They might think, “This person is professional and gracious,” even if this role wasn’t the right fit, they might remember you if another job opens up that would be a better match. That’s the part about the referrals to other positions.

Even if they don’t have another job immediately, you’ve left them feeling good about you. If you apply again in the future, they’re more likely to remember you positively. That’s making a positive impression for future roles. Sometimes, if you’re polite and appreciative, they might even be willing to give you feedback that helps you grow, telling you what you could work on for future interviews.

So, “Gratitude turns ‘no’ into ‘not yet'” means that when you’re thankful and respectful even in disappointment, it doesn’t feel like a complete dead end. Instead, it keeps the door slightly open for future possibilities. It changes a final “no” into something that might be a “not yet,” meaning maybe not this time, but perhaps in the future.

Get Hired Fast Tip #10:

Gratitude, Politeness & Humility Attract Help and Support

Who are you more likely to go out of your way to help? Someone who’s demanding and acts entitled, or someone who’s respectful and appreciative? Exactly! That’s what this part is about. People are naturally more inclined to lend a hand to those who are kind to them. It doesn’t matter if it’s online, in a community, or in real life, like with a mentor or people you network with for jobs – how you treat others often comes right back to you.

If you ask for help nicely, remember to say “thank you” and show that you appreciate the help you get. People notice that. Guess what? When a good opportunity pops up, you’re more likely to be the person they think of. This isn’t about trying to trick people into helping you. It’s just how we humans tend to operate. We’re drawn to people who are positive and respectful.

FAQs (And Real Talk)

Q1: Isn’t experience still the most important thing?

Of course, experience matters, but it’s not the only thing. Companies are realizing that a team full of experts who can’t collaborate or communicate respectfully is a recipe for dysfunction. Soft skills like gratitude, humility, and politeness often tip the scales.

Q2: What if I’m just shy or introverted?

That’s fine. You don’t have to be loud to be polite or grateful. A quiet thank-you or a well-written message goes a long way. Gratitude isn’t about being outgoing, but it’s about being mindful.

Q3: How can I practice this in real life?

Start small. Thank people who give you advice. Be kind in comment sections if it is on social media. Use “please” in your messages. Reflect humility in your answers. These things build habits that become natural over time.

Q4: Isn’t this just common sense?

Yes… and yet, it’s not common practice. That’s why it stands out so much.

Looking ahead, things in the job world are going to keep changing. We’ll see more AI stuff, more remote work, and companies focusing on what you can do rather than just your past jobs. But through all of that, one thing will stay the same: people hire people.

And in a world where everyone’s trying to stand out, what makes you unforgettable isn’t always what’s written on your resume. It’s about how you treat the people around you. Showing thanks, being polite, and staying humble might seem like little things, but they can make a huge difference in how people see you.

The next time you reach out for help, step into an interview or message someone for advice, try leading with gratitude. It doesn’t cost you anything but could change everything for you. You don’t have to be the person with the most experience on paper but also to be the person they genuinely want on their team.

If this resonated with you, please pass it along to someone else who might need a little boost today. And if you’re out there job hunting – hang in there, I see you putting in the work. Keep going, and remember, a little thankfulness can open doors…

Voila! Until next time!

Additional References:

Arumugam, N., Krishnan, I. A., de Mello, G., & Ibrahim, M. N. A. (2021). Malaysian fresh graduates’ performance in job interviews: Politeness strategies. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 11(9), 222–233. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i9/11089

Tan, H. K. R., Teoh, M. L., & Tan, R. S. K. (2016). Beyond “greeting” and “thanking”: Politeness in job interviews. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 22(3), 171–184. https://doi.org/10.17576/3L-2016-2203-12

Robles, M. M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/1080569912460400

Grant, A. M., & Gino, F. (2010). A little thanks goes a long way: Explaining why gratitude expressions motivate prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(6), 946–955. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017935