This is what happens when I watch chick flicks on TBS. For some much more serious business-oriented advice, try the free ebook and newsletter. I promise to keep Kate Hudson out of it.
Imagine this: you meet the perfect company. You have a great initial connection — this could really have potential! Okay, don’t screw it up now. Here are some common mistakes that job seekers make that can make a potential employment relationship go sour, fast.
- Stand them up. Are you excited to meet them? Good. Show up. Be on time.
- Don’t call after that first great date. Anyone who tells you to wait two days after an interview before following up is just wrong. Send an appropriate thank you as soon as possible, and to each person you interviewed with individually. Don’t leave them wondering if you really hit it off.
- Be too clingy. On the other hand, don’t call every day. They have a life, okay? Sure, they’re interested, but give it time. You can–and should–follow up occasionally, but don’t expect them to drop everything to return your call.
- Spend all your time badmouthing your exes. We’ve all got a history, but they really don’t want to hear about it. If your last job took you for granted or heaven forbid replaced you with someone new without telling you, please keep it to yourself. Rehashing your past relationships says more about you than it says about them.
- It’s all about you, you, you. If you want to send a first interview south, only talk about yourself. Sure, they want to get to know you, but don’t you want to get to know them too? If you’re not curious enough to ask questions, they’re going to wonder just how interested you are.
- Being too easy. There’s a difference between genuinely interested and completely available. Even a company likes a little bit of the thrill of the hunt — they want to think that you’re in demand and that your successful arrangement is because you’re head over heels for each other, not because you didn’t have options. Don’t throw yourself at them.
- Getting serious before they’re ready. You nailed that first interview, right? Now’s the time to make a commitment! Or not. You may think that they should be ready to settle down, but everyone has their own process. Interviewing is about making sure there’s a mutual interest, and takes time to do well. Don’t push them onto your timeline.
- Play the field. Yes, they know you’re probably interviewing with other people. They just don’t really want to hear about it. After all, they really want to think that they’re your top choice. So, if they ask, be honest, but be vague. Don’t kiss and tell, and be sure to make them feel like they’re the only one that matters.
- Losing that spark. How great is it when you have that first conversation that just flows. They’re fascinating, and they think you’re fascinating too. But next time, what if it wasn’t so… great? Make sure to keep a little intrigue. Offer new information when you meet again, ask new questions, really get to know each other better. There’s nothing worse than rehashing the same conversations over and over again.
- Not caring about their interests. Marketing, marketing, marketing (or IT, IT, IT) — that’s all you ever talk about. Don’t you care about what’s important to them? Market share. Profits. Client relationships. Financial growth. These are what make that employer tick. Show them that what’s important to them is important to you.
Avoid these common job search blunders and your relationship with that potential employer is much more likely to end up with “happily ever after.”
Related posts:
- Your personal “best”: Authenticity and your job search
- Informational Interview Etiquette: Make the Most of your Meeting
- Interview Question of the Week New Grad Edition: How did you choose your major?
- Behavioral Interviewing: The basics of the CAR method
- Interview Question of the Week: What has been your greatest success?
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