Ever had a bad date? What about a bad interview? If you buy my analogy that finding a great career is a lot like the process of finding a great romantic relationship, then you’ll probably agree that the road to “happily ever after at work” is bound to be littered with at least some bad interview “dates.”
Case in point: the physician candidate who left me with a $6,000 bill after a three-day visit. Or the candidate who fainted in the middle of her interview. Or the candidate who threw plastic bugs at me and my colleagues (it was a metaphor gone wrong). So many interviews. Sooo many ideas to send in to the writers of 30 Rock.
If you think this is sounding remarkably like a recent conversation you had about your crazy dating life, that’s exactly my point: interviewing is a lot like dating. And, just like in dating, all the hair gel in the world won’t help you if you forget some important principles during the big event.
Don't trash your former flame. Even if your summer job was mind-numbingly boring or full of sadistic people in stilettos, you’ll want to think of some bits (however small) that you can honestly describe with some enthusiasm. If you’re having trouble, try to think back to the heady days of job-infatuation when the whole summer stretched wonderfully in front of you with endless possibilities. Because, if you trash Job-You-Had-last-Summer during your interview, New Job will get very skittish. It might even get up to go to the bathroom and never return.
Faking it won't get you what you want. Let’s face it, everyone acts a little better on a date than they do in everyday life. You dress a little better, you smile a little more toothily, you act more enthused in the other person’s interests about mixed martial arts or designer shoes than you actually are. The same goes for interviewing. But, you also hope to work there for a while, and faking it in the interview sets you up for a bad fit with the organization and the work. Not to mention, you’re going to have to keep sounding enthused about mixed martial arts or designer shoes. And that could get ugly.
TMI is, well... icky. You need to help them understand how you do things but too much information (TMI) is a trap that’s easy to fall into. Just like on a date, you want to tell interesting but appropriate stories that show you in your best light. Confidence with a good dose of humility is the line to toe here. Honesty is important too (because after all, you’re also trying to suss out if you want to keep this thing going beyond a first date), but use restraint. This is probably not the time to tell them that you text your mother eight times a day and that you once won a burping contest at the CNE. Too. Much. Information.
Vague = Suspicious. On the other end of TMI is uni-bomber. Help them know that you are easy to work with and motivated to contribute. Use specific examples from your past experiences to help them see you in action. If you generalize too much when they ask you questions, they will fill in the gaps themselves and presto-bongo, before you know it, they’re imagining all sorts of conspiracy theories. Think: creepy person your roommate dated that time. Yep, that’s who the employer thinks you are now, even though they like your shoes. You’re creepy person with nice shoes which generally means stylish, but far too scary to hire.
Avoid the wandering eye. Oh sure, the employer knows you’re seeing other people, but just like your date, they still want to feel that today, they are the most interesting. Think about what interests you about them and ask them questions that help them see you have things in common, and that you’re seriously considering spending some time with them in the future. Sincerity is important here. Dating folks (and employers) are notoriously skeptical and can spot a phony from way off. like, from over in the next building where they’ve ditched you for someone who’s actually asked them a few interested questions.
Just like in dating, employers are afraid of getting stuck with a psychopath or someone who will be “high maintenance” or who will make them want to stab their hand with a pencil if they have to spend one┬à... more...┬à second... with you at a meeting. But, hey. With fainters, thieves, and plastic bugs flying around, you can reassure yourself that with a little prep and sticking to some dating rules, you’ll do just fine. jp
Christine Fader is a Career Counsellor at Queen's University and the author of Career Cupid: Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job.