What is your relationship status? And why Employers must give a damn?
Valentine's fever is full on, all around!
For a teenager earlier, February used to be a month full of lovely gifts, long text messages (which by the way were not free of cost!), special mobile recharge to make a long phone call, teddy bears, greeting cards, or even love-letters! I really don't know how teenagers celebrate Valentine's today (I assume they still do!). Technology enables you to create enticing cards, customized videos, personalized wish-list etc - and once you have the kit ready, you can send it across to 5 people in a go. Thanks to WhatsApp! Or maybe you can just post it on your Facebook wall and tag all your current crushes, one night standees, friends with benefits, lovers, ex, ex-square, ex-cube and so on. Wouldn't that be really chicky, crisp, candid, and cool? ;-)
I recently attended Indian School of Business's first social impact conference called ISB Impact Forum last week. They had a session called "Tech for Good". February is probably the best time to discuss the advantages of technology and how it has helped the society for the good and the better. Technology has really made life easy for lovers! The video chat is the most amazing innovation of recent times. It has brought the world so close to each other that now sometimes me and my flatmate communicate through video calls even when we are inside the flat!
But being single is the new trend. My Boss says (and he is an old man!) that mine will probably be the last generation who is still discussing the idea of marriage. Couple of decades later, world will have less and less married people, or shall I say, more and more happy, sane individuals!
What is your relationship status?
I strongly believe that "being single" is one of the best strengths an individual can possibly have. And you must highlight it on your resume if you are single. In fact, it's the only constant strength you can possibly boast to hold of in a world that is rapidly changing every hour or so. And it requires absolutely no skill to sort of hold this strength. All your other strengths are questionable - people can ask you for evidence to support your strengths. If you say that your top strength is decision-making, you would be asked to cite examples where your decision-making skill led to something good for the business. But being single is an unquestionable strength. Nobody can challenge you on that. Your introduction should read, "My name is XYZ, and I am single!"; And if it's not mentioned anywhere, I very strongly recommend that HRs should start any interview with this question - "What is your relationship status?" Full stop! I know some people would get offended. How is my relationship status of any relevance to you. Well, don't be. If you are single, just promote this and be happy. If you are not single, then anyway you can't do anything about it now. (Dude, you are screwed up already!)
Why "being single" is your top strength?
Corporates and MNCs have their vested interest in promoting "being single" trend and hiring a single person over someone who is in a relationship -
- They have less distraction throughout the day.
- They have more time at their disposal (which your manager would love to utilize to share his work load).
- They have literally nothing to do on weekends.
- They are flexible with work timings.
- They are available for emergency onsite trips.
- They don't have strong financial needs as nobody is currently dependent on them.
- They hopefully won't go for any maternity or paternity leaves.
- They generally have low self-esteem so won't ask for raise.
- And so on.
Note - You can also read study published at The Psychology Today just to get more entertainment if you are interested.
I know many married/committed people who are reading my article are super offended by now. They would roll up their sleeves, and would start googling studies that say why being married or in a relationship is healthier and more productive way of living. I get you! I know I am being biased if I say being single is a better pick. But I am not saying that. All I am saying is if you are single, it's your strength, and it should be the most celebrated strength for you and for your teammates, friends, boss, subordinates etc. It's vital that you realize that and if possible do encash on that.
My overall take is whether you are single or not, savour your current status. Have real fun! And let's be open to talking about it without getting offended.
Happy Valentine's Day to all the lovers out there.. whether you are in love with yourself or someone else, it doesn't matter as long as you love your status! :-)
Cheers.
To say I love you, one must first learn to say the word "I"! - Ayn Rand
Counselling Psychologist
11 个月Hey Swati, this was an enjoyable read with a light hearted mocking undertone but i just wanted to suggest that honestly I believe that the right type of single people can be a very valuable asset. In my opinion there are two types of singles: On one hand there are singles who are actively seeking companionship because they are not emotionally independent, self- reliant and are feeling romantically lonely. On the other hand there are those who are single by choice and are not actively seeking romantic companionship. These individuals are well self-regulated, self-reliant and reliable, confident, self aware and emotionally mature. In the former set of individuals, the behavior is driven by their unmet needs and low self awareness. Whereas in the latter one, high self awareness and emotional maturity drives the behavior. These individuals are mindful of their actions and the way they want to use their energy and time. They very well know how to take care of themselves and their specific needs, so they don't seek companionship out of loneliness alone. They are emotionally regulated, energetic, attentive and self managed individual who have a lot to contribute to the organizations. I think HRs should look out for latter lot.
Manager - Projects
6 年Good way for time pass...and provoking married peeps...??????
Passionate Marketer | Brand Management | Marketing | Sales Management | Operations | Digital Marketing | Product Marketing | Digital Transformation | B2B | B2C | Customer experience
6 年I am not an expert to analyze whether single or married is better. But I can very well tell that we should know the purpose of our life in this world or we should be self-actualized. Personally I am happy with the life of togetherness. According to me failure start with ego, hatred, despair, curse and feeling of guilt. The link is my article that gives the?Reasons for the Rise and Fall of professional career and business -?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/reasons-rise-fall-professional-career-business-genesh-kuriakose/
Transforming Organisation
6 年Totally absurd: Singles are brilliant jerks who tend to destroy the team: They don't know how to deal with other people, when to dray the line and also the funniest part is: They don't have the sense of being responsible for the team. They are always individual contributors: They cannot run any business?
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6 年Swati - Being single is good till you are young. It's going to be a hard to keep oneself occupied with sufficient work unless you are married. If you can find a good bunch of friends who also vow to be single with you, you built a great team.