A valentine’s special from our recruiters
Given that it’s Valentine’s Day today, We couldn’t help but relate the journey of job search to that of finding a loving relationship. Oh, it’s more similar than you may think! And when we compare first dates to job interviews, the similarity becomes even more evident.
Both are important opportunities to make a good impression and show off your best qualities. While the two situations may seem different, there are many similarities between them. Here is our take on how the first interactions in both situations are similar, along with some suggestions for how to manage them.
Dress to Impress: For starters, you must dress appropriately for both occasions because appearances count. We advise dressing according to your personal style and the occasion for both. Flip-flops and shorts are a big NO for both.
First impressions matter: they set the tone for both situations. Therefore, just as you would want to appear qualified, dependable, and a good fit for a job, you want to come across as confident, interesting, and nice on a date. Make sure you are ready for both situations by practicing how you will introduce yourself.
Do tell a tale: Just as you would think of spectacular tales of bravery or daring adventures to wow your date, consider equally impressive tales of challenges you’ve overcame and ambiguous situations you maneuvered into for your interview. Stories are important because they allow you to illustrate your virtues through actual experiences.
Be a good listener; Whether your date is telling you about their most recent Christmas vacation or your interviewer is outlining the role for you. Pay attention to their body language and tone of voice to determine how important what they are saying is and how you should react.
No Ex-talk: Speaking negatively about an ex can be a major red flag in any situation. Whether it be a former workplace, an ex-boyfriend, or an ex-girlfriend, talking in a negative light about them can be seen as a sign of immaturity and can also be seen as a sign that the speaker may not be able to handle difficult situations in a mature and respectful manner. In any case, it is best to avoid speaking negatively about an ex in any situation, as it can be a major red flag to those around you especially on an initial meeting.
Don’t lie: Even though you want to come off as spectacular and fantastic, watch out for lying or exaggerating. You don’t want to be found out lying in either circumstance because that could harm your reputation in addition to ruining your chances of getting the job or the date.
Don’t be shy, reach out to them. Sometimes instead of waiting by the phone and wondering why they haven’t called, take the initiative and reach out. Just as you would text “Thanks I had a good time” after a date, don’t forget to send a thank you note after the interview.
Profile matters: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is current and gives the greatest impression of you, just as you would want to say something impressive about yourself on a dating app. And highlight the most important things, because sometimes all you’ll get is a quick glance.
As a last note, we would like to say taking risks can often result in great rewards. Similar to how a date could turn out to be the love of your life and an interview could result in a wonderful professional move, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and bring your A-game. No matter the outcome, it will be a learning experience and will help you grow as an individual. Taking risks and trying new things is an important part of life, so remember to take a chance and have faith in yourself!