Why interviewing is like dating…

The obvious goal of dating and interviewing is to make match.  A match that meets the interests, and needs of both sides of the relationship.  Quickly, I’ll take a look at each step of the hiring process, and make an attempt to point out how its not unlike dating…to a certain extent.  Don’t take it too seriously, just something fun for your lunch hour!

Meeting the candidate/date – Left is the interview related side, while the right will be its similar point in dating.

• Employee referral —————————————> Set up by a mutual friend
• Company website/online advertisements ——> Online dating
• Linkedin —————————————————> Facebook/MySpace
• Job fair —————————————————–> Speed dating
• Networking event ————————————–> At the bar
• Family business —————————————-> High school sweet hearts
• College recruiting ————————————–> Fraternity party
• Walk-in applicant ————————————–> Creepy

The first phone call – Depending on which side you sit, you may wonder when’s the best time to call, or when/if you’ll receive that first phone call.  In today’s interviewing and dating world, the first contact is usually by email.  Email is easy for both sides, but still important to leave a nice first impression.  Both sides are ALWAYS SELLING what they offer during the initial contact!  Once the first, and maybe second communication points are through, then one, or both sides will wait to hear if a meeting will occur.

The interview/dating begins – Again I’ll put the interview related information on the left and toss the dating points on the right.

• “Your interview is at 8”——————> “I’ll pick you up at 8”
• On-site interview ————————–> Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory
• Second interview —————————> Meeting his/her friends
• Drug and background check ———–> Meeting his/her parents
• Making a job offer ————————-> Making it more serious
• Pull resume off Monster ————–> “…..is in a relationship” on Facebook

I’m going to stop myself.  This could go on for some time if I begin comparing the downfalls of a relationship and how that matches up nicely to a terminated employee.  If you take anything away from this, please realize the goal of an interview is to get a second interview, or make it to the next step in the process.  This is your goal, even if the company or position isn’t all too attractive.  Options are your friend, and you shouldn’t close any doors.  Just like in dating, who doesn’t want options?

Cheers