The Curious Case of What If?
Job hunting, in many respects is very much like the dating process. This is especially the case in regards interviews where you have a potential employer asking themselves do they like you and regardless of your skills, abilities and experience, will you fit in with the rest of the organisation?
In a similar vein to a romantic date, an employer will be asking themselves “Are you the one? “. In the same interview there will probably be a voice in your head asking, “Do I like these people” or “Do I really want to work in these surroundings?” or even “Is this company the one for me? “.
Even prior to being called to interview most job hunters will have received several rejections from potential suitors, from companies that they really liked the look of. On the other hand, you may have had interviews with many “horrible” companies that you wouldn’t dream of working for, before finally, one day, you were interviewed by the company of your dreams.
The nerves associated with a first date are a similar type of nerves that you experience when being called for interview. Both parties quiz each other and in many cases, there exists unrequited love, just as many people would love to work for the best employer, unfortunately not everyone will succeed, often due to a skills or personality mismatch.
Job hunting, just like dating, is where first impressions count. You wouldn’t go to a job interview looking dishevelled and scruffy just as you wouldn’t go on a date without putting your best foot forward.
On a date, people often have a number of tick-boxes in their head before they agree to on a second date. The same regularly applies to interviews before you are called back for a second interview.
If you are very successful on dates, you should apply the same level of detail, preparation and attention to your interviews to come up with a formula which works for you. This may be your ability to tell a compelling, memorable story from interviews. Even if you have a chequered history in regards romantic dates, the key is your ability to bounce back and remain resilient when faced with rejection. Do not take it personally as some companies, just like dates, were just not meant to be.
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