So, you were laid off. Let Go. Released. Downsized. Cut loose. Anyway you say it, it means the same thing. You are out of a job. And, you join the millions across America who are unemployed as well.

Maybe you were given some notice, a nice farewell party and a generous severance package. Maybe, you were surprised on a Friday with a pink slip and an empty box (or a paper bag) to pack up your things. Or, perhaps you just discovered that your key no longer worked in your office door lock.

Now what??!!

Well, of course, you look for another job. You get your resume together, you dust off your interview suit, you join all the Social Networking sites and you start surfing Monster, Careerbuilder and wheresmynextjob.com with the intention of finding a new job FAST!

But, what happens when you don’t get hired the week after you just got fired???

What do you do with all this new-found time?

Well, while you're searching for your next job, here's some ideas, reminders, random thoughts etc. from someone who's discovering there is life after her layoff.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Interviewing is Like Dating (...and I wasn't very good at dating!)

Maybe this has happened to you.

After sending out thousands of resumes, you finally get an interview. You do everything right: you wear your perfect interview suit, you arrive no more than 10 minutes early, you engage in light, friendly banter with the receptionist and then you embark on your interview with your potential employer. You do exactly what the experts say to do for a successful interview…and you think its working. You think the interview went great!

Then, your interviewer says those infamous words “We’ll call you when we make our decision.” Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

You start staring at the phone, hoping they’ll call. You obsessively go over the whole interview again and again in your head. You let a few days pass, and then you call them to follow up. “We haven’t made our decision yet. We’re still interviewing”. What's that about???

I thought I was through with dating when I got married. I guess I was wrong.

All those same first-date feelings of rejection and acceptance come back when you’re interviewing for jobs. “I hope they liked me. When will they call? If they liked me, why do they still need to interview other people? I hope I didn’t say too much on the first interview! I hope I said enough! blah, blah, blah..."

Blind interview/dating is even worse! You think you’re interviewing at a hip, new start-up company (they sounded so great on the phone!), but you walk in to a dumpy 5x5 office and a “touchy-feely” interviewer who smells like cigars and Redbull! As you slam the door behind you in disgust, you say to yourself “all the good jobs are already taken!" (still see the comparisons?)
So, what do you do?

Well, when I was dating, my mom would say “Don’t give up! Just be yourself! For every pot, there is a lid!” But, how many job ads do I need to apply to before the “right pot” comes along. Not too many more, I hope!

Maybe, that’s why the experts say the best way to find a job is by networking with your friends. Tell everyone you know (subtly, or not so subtly) that you are looking for work! Eventually, someone you know may know someone who needs to hire someone just like you! And, we all know, the best dates come from personal referrals!
Labels: , ,

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 2, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    I've been on several job interviews where I smelled cigars and red bull.
    That is exactly what it is like.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 4, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    Just show up with your passion and skills!Volunteering is a good way to experience what is out there, and whether or not you might like to be part of it!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)