Recruitment is like dating

In an earlier post I suggested that employees treat their job like a relationship- so naturally in order to 'bag' that special job, it makes sense to treat the recruitment process like dating.

To be clear, I'm privileged enough that I've never known real poverty or had to just take 'any job' just to put food on the table. Therefore I appreciate this article won't be relevant to everyone but here goes...

1. Figure out what you want

Do you want a casual fling that gives you freedom, but less stability? Perhaps a contract or freelance role is for you. Or do you want a serious relationship that you can grow with, but comes with its challenges too? Permanent may be the best option.

2. Decide what's important to you

There's no shame in dating someone just for their money IF you're upfront about it. There are even websites dedicated to finding people like this.

Equally, if money is the most important factor in a job, be honest with yourself. I personally don't believe that money= happiness but everyone has their own version of happiness.

It's rare that money will be your only motivator though, so what else is important? Do you want a job that fits around your child's busy social schedule? Do you need somewhere close to work so you get an extra 2 hours in bed? Or is remote work a must-have?

Just as you've probably got a good idea of what you want from your date (kindness, manners, sense of humour etc), you should know what things you want from your job/company. Make a list of your non-negotiables and the things that are important to you- that way you can see if the job ticks most of your requirements.

3. Market yourself

Dating apps are a minefield. Lots of disposable faces to swipe aimlessly at. How do you think some of the bigger companies feel with thousands of CVs to sift through? 

Given that research suggests most recruiters spend an average of only 6 seconds reading a CV- make sure you stand out in those 6 seconds.

Think about what makes you special and make this clear in your CV. Ensure you have a summary of your experience, skills and strengths and also state what it is that you're looking for. Be clear, concise and specific. 

As soon as I read "I like to go out and party, but equally love to curl up on the sofa and watch Netflix" on a dating profile I think 'vanilla' and I swipe left. The same goes for "I'm hard working and looking for my next challenge"- it's so generic and doesn't tell me anything.

4. Be yourself

Sure, dating is nerve-racking just as much as interviewing sometimes, but stay true to yourself and don't be afraid to show your personality.

Most people are not 100% themselves on the first few dates, that's because you're showing the other person the best of you and not you on a bad day. Equally, you're assessing (or should be) the other person too though and not just trying to get them to like you.

The same should be said in interviews- as much as they're interviewing you, you should ask questions to gauge if that manager/person/company is the right fit for you too.

Know your worth and don't be hard on yourself if you get ghosted or don't get the job. It wasn't meant to be.

5. Don't Scattergun!

Last but not least, don't use the scattergun approach. Sure, it's easy when there are so many options out there- so many apps, so many faces but why bother swiping aimlessly?

Equally, why waste your time (and the company's time) applying for jobs that you're not that interested in?

Instead of applying to 20 roles, apply for 5 and take your time to personalise your application. It shows! You don't need to change your CV each time, but take the time to write a short but meaningful cover letter as to why you're interested in the position/ company.

Disclaimer: I'm a recruiter and by no means a dating expert! Please take my dating advice with a pinch of salt :)