Sunday, May 16, 2010

Job Interviews and Dating - What's The Difference

20 years of 20 questions. Job interviews, first date after blind date. What's the difference?


What is the difference between getting a feel for the establishment in which you may want to work, for a long time and getting to know the potential partner for whom you may want to marry, and will be with for a long time?

What is the difference in the techniques used in job interviews and the techniques used in dating?


The following are a few tips to pep up your job interviews and perk up your dinner dates:

  • Each new job interview is a new opportunity for you to shine. Get yourself in a happy mood and be calm and positive.
  • Each new first date is a new opportunity for you to shine. Get yourself in a happy mood and be calm and positive.

  • Each new job interview is your chance to get the interviewer talking about themselves and their company. Prepare a few pertinent questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview when they ask you if you have any questions.
  • Each new first date is your chance to get the other person talking about themselves and their family, friends, experiences, likes and dislikes, etc.


  • Keep your resume professional and polite. Use Spell Check. Have a family member or friend who is good at editing look over your resume.
  • Keep your conversation professional and polite. Pause, look and listen to what your date says. Pay attention to their tone. Listen also to what your date does not say.

  • During your interview, do not comment on politics or religion, or talk about money. Do not list political or religious affiliations on your resume or Face book/My Space or any other social Internet site.
  • During your first date, do not comment on politics or religion, money or past relationships.

  • During your interview, look around the interviewer's office and desk for items and nick-knacks revealing what hobbies they may enjoy and read any degrees on the wall.
  • During your first date, in conversation, nicely ask your date about their education and ask them to talk about their hobbies.


  • On your resume, after each prior job listed, include an updated phone number and a current name of a contact. This makes it convenient for any future possible employer to easily check your information.
  • On your first date, as the date is ending and if another date is agreed upon, leave the other person with updated contact information.

  • As you enter and exit your interview, pay attention to how your interviewer treats their staff.
  • As you are having your date, pay attention to how your date treats the waiter, cashier, etc.

  • If you are asked during the interview why you wish to leave or why you have left another job, do not be negative. Be honest and explain why the past job was not right for you or why you wish to move on and what you have learned from the experience.
  • If you are asked during your first date (or first few dates) why a past relationship was ended, do not be negative. Be honest and explain why the relationship was not right for you and why you chose to move on or why your partner chose to move on and what you learned from the experience.

A first job interview and a first date really are very similar, so enjoy your good opportunity and prepare!