Treat job interviews as your first date
June 23rd 2008 08:01
We are talking about jobs here right? Yes. In last weekend's sydney Morning Herald career section, an article compares looking for your next job with looking for love. The article talks about job interviews like doing on a first date, and I would have to totally agree.
The job interview is your first physcial interaction with your prospective employer. It'll be the first time you meet and the first time you'll really be able to test out the personalities of each other outside the printed resume.
Therefore, rules of doing on the first date apparently applies to your job interview as well, and as listed in this particular article 'Shrae the love' by Jim Bright (Apologies I can't seem to find an online version of this article). The rules are:
1. Don't be late: this goes without saying. I wouldn't be late to school, I wouldn't be late to work, and I certainly wouldn't be late to a job interview. Being late will show that you do not care for this job and your tendency of being late. It's an instant strike out.
2. Don't be rude: Would you like someone if they were rude to you on first impression? Didn't think so. We are not just talking about with the person interviewing you, I am talking about with everyone else as well. People can observe and those who already work at the office will talk.
3. Don't talk about your ex: This point I thought was pretty funny, but extremely true. If you are going to sit there and talk about all the things that went wrong with your last job, the chances are that things will go wrong with your job interview too.
4. Don't be too needy: Well, what can I say? We don't like dating needy people, and so won't employers. Don't 'beg' for the job. Believe in your own abilities. Don't ask for more than you can chew. If you are going to aim for a salary that is above what you are worth, be assured that you won't get the job!
5. Don't be ditzy: While in the datin scene I do know that some men do prefer ditzy women, it certainly won't go well with job interviews. Ditzy is the sign of weakness and immature, not to mention: incompetent. You wouldn't want your employer to think that of you would you?
6. Don't play games: Don't try to be a smart arse and try the interviewer's patience. It is perfectly fine to ask valid questions regarding your careers as well as the position in general, but appearing to flirt/question and simply being a pain in the arse is not going to get you the job, no matter how funny the joke was.
7. Look healthy: You may have had a bad night's sleep, or perhaps you are still nursing a hang over or a long haul flight, smile and soldier on. When asked "How are you?" don't rely with "Oh I am still suffering from a flu that I caught while partying out all night the other week." A simply "I am fine. Thank you." will suffice. No one will blame you for lying.
There are certainly a lot of similarities there regarding going on your first date and attending your job interview. Ensure to present you at your best will be your best bet even before you get to show your true abilities.
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