Job Interviews: 7 Lessons From Dating

If the purpose of a first date is to get a second, the purpose of a job interview is to get a second interview (and then hopefully land the job). And just like a first date, first impressions are incredibly important—and hard to change if you mess them up.

Take these seven dos and don’ts from the dating world and apply them to your interviewing to improve your chances of getting asked on that all-important second date, er… interview.

1. Do be respectful of the other person’s time.

That means don’t be late and don’t cancel or reschedule multiple times. Remember: Time is even more valuable than money to many people, and wasting someone’s time can leave an indelible bad impression. If you absolutely must reschedule or cannot avoid being late, do everything possible to mitigate the impact on the interviewer; call ahead as soon as possible and be flexible to fit their needs.

2. Do pay attention to your personal grooming.

You want to dress to impress for an interview, just like a first date, but nothing too flashy or revealing. Make sure your hair is neat, breath is fresh, and so on. No food stains, wrinkles, or anything too casual when it comes to clothing. If you’re not sure about the office dress code, err on the formal side. A pop of color can also show off your personality and make you more memorable; ladies might wear a statement necklace or colorful scarf, and men can add color with a bright tie or shirt under a more subdued jacket.

3. Don’t bad mouth your ex.

It’s a small world, and you never know who your interviewer may be connected to, so it’s best to refrain from saying anything negative about former companies or bosses you’ve worked with. In addition, it’s more professional not to gossip in general. Remember that old saying, “If you can’t say something nice, it’s better not to say anything at all.”

4. Don’t just talk about yourself.

Just as your date doesn’t want to hear about how many hot girls/guys you’ve been out with, your interviewer doesn’t want to hear endlessly about how fantastic you are. You do want to share your skills and accomplishments, but in a way that makes sense in the context of the conversation and doesn’t come off as though you’re just bragging. It’s a fine line to walk. In addition, be sure to ask intelligent questions during the interview. It shows that you are engaged and interested.

5. Do remember your manners.

You don’t want to be too formal in an interview, any more than you would want to be on a first date, but it is important to be polite and courteous. You will have to determine the level of formality based on lots of things, like the company culture and how the interviewer acts with you; let them take the lead. A high-powered law firm will have a very different culture from a tech startup, which will, in turn, be different from an accounting firm. Doing some research on the company ahead of time can help clue you in to the culture, but following the interviewer’s lead is the best practice.

6. Do pay attention.

As many people will tell you, there’s nothing more attractive than being the center of someone’s attention. Hopefully it goes without saying, but turn off your cell phone when you head into an interview (or a first date). You want to be fully engaged with what your interviewer is saying. As amazing as it feels to be truly heard, there’s nothing worse than someone who is clearly somewhere else in an important first encounter.

7. If things go well, do ask for a “second date.”

Assuming the interview goes well and you feel like you would be a good fit for the job, don’t be shy about letting the interviewer know that you want the job. If it seems appropriate, you can say so at the end of the interview. If not, it’s always a good idea to send a follow-up email thanking the interviewer for their time, and that note or email is a good place to express your desire for the job as well.

Landing a new job isn’t that different from entering into a long-term relationship, so treat those first impressions with great care in order to present the best version of yourself.

I hope you like my ‘first dating’ analogy and tips. Do you have job interview tip (or horror story)? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. As always, please share your views, comments and ideas in the comment field below.

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About : Bernard Marr is a globally recognized expert in strategy, performance management, analytics, KPIs and big data. He helps companies manage, measure and improve performance.

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