From Getting Laid to Paid (7 Dating Rules to Use On Interviews)
You rehearse your lines. Knock on the door. Smile wide. Say “yes, I would like a glass of water,” and “wow, your place is lovely.”
Interviews are just like dating. They’re a careful tiptoe. A rehearsed dance. A lesson in human interaction and the fundamentals of knowing oneself and how to present that self in its best light.
So whether you’ve been laid off or are looking for a new challenge, try to approach your interviews like you do your love life (assuming you’re not a total disaster in that area!). I guarantee you’ll feel more comfortable next time you find yourself sitting in an ergonomic chair with your portfolio in hand and a manager walking down the hall to greet you.
7 Dating Rules to Use On Interviews
#1: Never let them see you sweat.
No, really. There’s nothing worse than having a shaking, terrified interviewee in your office. People want to feel relaxed and a sweaty dude trying to impress you makes you feel anything but. Nervousness does you no good and it’s never, ever pretty.
#2: Know your strengths and how to present them…without being cocky.
Before an interview, ask yourself why someone would find you attractive in the first place. What makes you different? What do your friends and past employers like about you? Have a story that demonstrates what you bring to the table instead of saying, “I am the world’s best graphic designer.” Delusions of grandeur are either signs of extreme self-love or a lack of self-confidence. And it’s not fun to work with people who possess either.
#3: They’re just as nervous.
Going into each interview, decide that your job for the next hour - beyond answering questions intelligently - is to put your interviewer at ease. Many people are terrified of giving interviews. They are representing their company, after all, and their job may be on the line if they recommend the wrong person to hire.
Make a joke. Smile. A lot. Compliment them sincerely. Talk about something other than work at the beginning. Spy a picture of their kids on their desk? Ask about it. Everyone loves talking about their kids.
#4: Never sleep with them on the first date.
Even if the interview is going well, never let your guard down completely. If they’re dropping “f” bombs, keep yourself composed (unless you’re interviewing at a tattoo parlor or somewhere else where that is not only acceptable, but expected). You are judged throughout the interview, and it ain’t over ’til it’s over, hot shot.
#5. Be yourself.
Bring your real personality to the table. If you don’t show who you really are, you will either 1) bore them to death; or 2) not give them ample material to decide whether you’re the right fit for their company. And that would be a shame for both you and them.
Although you may want to be perfect and give the “right” answers, focus on giving your answers and in your own voice. Being your authentic self gives your interviewer an opportunity to see how you think, what makes you tick and how you will be an asset to their team.
#6. Make sure you like them as much as they like you.
Do you have a gut feeling that a company is not right for you? DON’T ACCEPT THE POSITION. Because three years down the line, you’ll find yourself wishing you had never got yourself into the position in the first place, and regretting all those years you’ll never get back.
True, you may not always be able to be picky, especially in the current economic climate, but if you have the luxury, don’t accept or pursue a job that you know ahead of time doesn’t feel right.
#7. Always follow up and tell them you had a nice time.
You do what you gotta do if you wanna get in their pants or, in this case, afford new ones in the first place.
Amy Ziari is a tech PR and marketing communications consultant based in San Francisco. You can find her on Vimeo, Twitter and Facebook, as well as on her Web site, where she covers San Francisco tech events, news and entrepreneurs. She enjoys making tech fun, educational and accessible.
Interviews are just like dating. They’re a careful tiptoe. A rehearsed dance. A lesson in human interaction and the fundamentals of knowing oneself and how to present that self in its best light.
So whether you’ve been laid off or are looking for a new challenge, try to approach your interviews like you do your love life (assuming you’re not a total disaster in that area!). I guarantee you’ll feel more comfortable next time you find yourself sitting in an ergonomic chair with your portfolio in hand and a manager walking down the hall to greet you.
7 Dating Rules to Use On Interviews
#1: Never let them see you sweat.
No, really. There’s nothing worse than having a shaking, terrified interviewee in your office. People want to feel relaxed and a sweaty dude trying to impress you makes you feel anything but. Nervousness does you no good and it’s never, ever pretty.
#2: Know your strengths and how to present them…without being cocky.
Before an interview, ask yourself why someone would find you attractive in the first place. What makes you different? What do your friends and past employers like about you? Have a story that demonstrates what you bring to the table instead of saying, “I am the world’s best graphic designer.” Delusions of grandeur are either signs of extreme self-love or a lack of self-confidence. And it’s not fun to work with people who possess either.
#3: They’re just as nervous.
Going into each interview, decide that your job for the next hour - beyond answering questions intelligently - is to put your interviewer at ease. Many people are terrified of giving interviews. They are representing their company, after all, and their job may be on the line if they recommend the wrong person to hire.
Make a joke. Smile. A lot. Compliment them sincerely. Talk about something other than work at the beginning. Spy a picture of their kids on their desk? Ask about it. Everyone loves talking about their kids.
#4: Never sleep with them on the first date.
Even if the interview is going well, never let your guard down completely. If they’re dropping “f” bombs, keep yourself composed (unless you’re interviewing at a tattoo parlor or somewhere else where that is not only acceptable, but expected). You are judged throughout the interview, and it ain’t over ’til it’s over, hot shot.
#5. Be yourself.
Bring your real personality to the table. If you don’t show who you really are, you will either 1) bore them to death; or 2) not give them ample material to decide whether you’re the right fit for their company. And that would be a shame for both you and them.
Although you may want to be perfect and give the “right” answers, focus on giving your answers and in your own voice. Being your authentic self gives your interviewer an opportunity to see how you think, what makes you tick and how you will be an asset to their team.
#6. Make sure you like them as much as they like you.
Do you have a gut feeling that a company is not right for you? DON’T ACCEPT THE POSITION. Because three years down the line, you’ll find yourself wishing you had never got yourself into the position in the first place, and regretting all those years you’ll never get back.
True, you may not always be able to be picky, especially in the current economic climate, but if you have the luxury, don’t accept or pursue a job that you know ahead of time doesn’t feel right.
#7. Always follow up and tell them you had a nice time.
You do what you gotta do if you wanna get in their pants or, in this case, afford new ones in the first place.
Amy Ziari is a tech PR and marketing communications consultant based in San Francisco. You can find her on Vimeo, Twitter and Facebook, as well as on her Web site, where she covers San Francisco tech events, news and entrepreneurs. She enjoys making tech fun, educational and accessible.