Tip of the Week – Jobs vs Dating

It occurs to me frequently that the Job Search is so much like the Dating process. Sometimes I see it in my work as a Career Coach and sometimes I see it in my single life looking for my own match.

Here’s how I see it

1. There must be a mutual match for both interested parties
2. Desperation is not attractive
3. Each side has a detailed list of qualifications that the other side must meet
4. You can conduct your search online, but it’s much better to have a personal referral
5. Frequently there is a phone screen before a face to face meeting
6. Sometimes they don’t call you back
7. Interviews should be conducted with plenty of questions from both parties
8. You SHOULD require a background check but it doesn’t always happen
9. There is an intricate negotiation dance
10. Salaries and Benefits should be delayed until late in the conversation
11. Ultimately it comes down to “Do they like me better than all the rest?”
12. Rejection is never a pretty thing
13. You should not fall in love until a clear offer is made
14. Commitment will greatly impact your life
15. If this opportunity doesn’t work out, there’s always more to come

Now I am sure that there are many other similarities, but this is just what I came up with off the top of my head.

Many job seekers that I talk to are so set on just finding a job that they don’t spend enough time finding THE RIGHT JOB. I suppose the same could be true in dating as well. In both cases, if you don’t make sure that it’s the right fit for you, you’re not going to be happy.

For the next job that you become interested in, look at it as if it were someone you were interested in dating. Do you have enough information? Do you love it? Does it feel right? Are you going to be happy at the end of the day? Have you asked enough questions to make yourself comfortable about the decision?

And of course, as my grandmother always says “There’s plenty of fish in the sea”. If it doesn’t fit, move on. There’s another good one waiting for you!

Tips of the Week are published weekly in the Job Seeker Newsletter.