Job Hunting Is Like Dating

Job hunting is like dating. Don't believe me? In both situations there is a lot of worry over how well you're liked, how to show the right level of interest without coming off aloof or desperate, when to call after contact, how much to share right off the bat and how many other people may also be of interest to the other party. Couple that with nerves and the tendency to say what the other person wants to hear versus what you know to be your honest truth and it sounds a lot like the world of dating I remember. No wonder it can feel like torture at times.

When considering the similarities between dating and job seeking, it makes it easier to see how some take years to find the right long term fit. There are so many options in life and if you can't make short work of figuring out what you really want and what truly interests you it is easy to end up with a string of former relationships in your past. When we are talking business relationships, that can be devastating to one's efforts to find true happiness. Those who can learn from each endeavor and find a positive spin to tie where they've been to where they are going fare much better than those who end up weighed down with regret, bitterness or confusion. Still, it's wise to get it together and do what you can to optimize your job hunting practices so you have the best chance of getting into a business relationship that is more likely to be a fit and go the distance. Being able to put a positive spin on missteps comes in second to avoiding missteps whenever possible.

So what is a job seeker to do? You can start by setting the ego aside and taking stock of how honest you've been with yourself and with others. What can you really do? What do you really like? Why did things really not work out in the past? Second, find a balance between focusing on you and being mindful of the other party. Both companies and job seekers and needs, wants, faults, talents and goals. Ensuring a two-way exchange that promotes the sharing of relevant information necessary for both parties to make a good decision is crucial. Third, when possible, ask questions capable of taking the other party's temperature so you know how interested they are, if others are appealing to them, what you could do to be more of a fit and how/when they'd like to hear from you again. Taking the guess work out and incorporating meaningful and relevant dialogue into the process helps to make it less random and more likely to deliver a positive outcome.