Like it or not, the interview process for your next HR/payroll opportunity can be eerily similar to dating. You may find a match right away (love at first sight) or it could take numerous interviews to find your connection (longer courtship).
The best rule to live by is to never settle – in love as well as finding your HR/payroll job. In the HR and payroll job search, not making the right impression will ensure you’re not invited back for interview #2. Even more alarming, taking the wrong job will likely result in a nasty breakup. If you aren’t careful in love, you could get your heart broken.
Celebrate this Valentine’s week with some tips to find a job you’ll love – tips that might even help your love life.
Make sure you “click”
As an HR/payroll professional, you’re well served to remind yourself how critical cultural fit is to success in any role. Don’t fall over yourself to impress – be yourself and take the time to understand if the company you are seeing is indeed worthy of a long-term relationship! Don’t forget to consider the size of the organization and whether it is a more collaborative or independent workplace. While you most likely won’t be dating your coworkers, you will be interacting with them frequently. There has to be an established common ground in order to have the most beneficial relationship.
Are you a fit?
Where are you in your HR/payroll career? Does what you need match the opportunities the new position is offering? Before you attend an interview, take stock of your priorities for your next opportunity. What do you need to develop and thrive – and will this new opportunity fulfill your needs?
Online dating
Did you know that 1 in 5 marriages and committed relationships began with meeting online? When you are searching for your next job connection, make sure you use the tools at your disposal and regularly check in with the sites that specialize in Hr/payroll opportunities (like Willory’s very own Open Jobs page). And, just like how every online profile isn’t a match, neither is every job listing. Sometimes you should “swipe left” instead of taking a “spray and pray” approach.
Ask your friends what they think
Have you ever taken your newly-minted significant other to a meal or an event to meet your friends? Of course, you have. You are looking for opinions that will either solidify your own or perhaps uncover something you hadn’t noticed. Check your network to see if you know anyone – or know someone who knows someone – at the company you are interviewing with. Your connection should provide you with insight into the company and culture to help you understand how to prepare a. Ultimately it should help you determine if the company, at its worse, is still a good place for you to land.
Online creeping
It may seem invasive, but it’s expected in 2018 to check out your date’s Facebook profile. Research your prospective employer before an interview – this includes speaking with anyone you may know who has “dated” this organization before. Additionally, take the time to review a company’s social media to get a picture of what’s important at the time and maybe even find an idea or two for a question. If a company is inactive on social media, it may mean they’re a more traditional workplace. Is this what you’re looking for in your next job? If being on the cutting edge of trends is important to you, this company might not have that all important cultural fit.
Talk and listen
The analogy that an interview is like a date cannot be forgotten. This means you listen as much as you talk. It is not only important to find out if the prospective employer is a good fit, but asking questions will also show your interest in the role. If you’re unsure of questions to ask, we’ve put together a few here, here, and here.
We hope that the next time you are looking for a new HR or payroll opportunity you find your job soul mate! And as always, if you need a matchmaker, the team at Willory is happy to help set you up with some potential suitors. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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