Ami Horne's take on dating and recruiting
Ami Horne
Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Getting Down to Business
I overheard the following conversations at the business school last week: "I'm not sure it's going to work out. I just felt that it wasn't the right fit." "We're going out to dinner at the Chop House tonight!" "I don't know what happened. He never called afterwards."
Interviews or dates, what are they talking about? With internship recruiting season in full swing, it's a little tough to tell. In fact, the whole process feels very much like a date. Well, except for the sex part. Hopefully, you're not sleeping with recruiters because I think OCD would frown on that. By the way, has anyone started fantasizing about a recruiter in the middle of the interview or is that just me? Um, anyway, here's the Ami Horne take on dating and recruiting.
Networking - A match made in heaven?
Prior to the interviews, it's all about networking and "finding your fit" with a company. You have to put yourself out there and test the waters, very similar to the beginning of the dating process. I really thought the lines started to blur when I attended a marketing event called "speed recruiting." And sometimes, the MBA2s like to do some matchmaking. "I really have a feeling about you and Booz Allen!"
Wine me, dine me…
First the companies try to win you over. They usually break the cardinal rule of first dates and take you out to some of Ann Arbor's finest restaurants. Vineology, the Earl, the Chop House, nothing's too good for our potential interns! Just like a date who's trying too hard to impress, are they setting the expectations too high?
Marketing yourself
Is there really a difference between the conversation in an interview and a first date? Sure, we may not use the exact words, "tell me about a time…" but we tend to spin our answers in a similar matter. Do I even need to give you an example?
Interview question: "Why did you leave your last job?"
The interview answer: "I really enjoyed the company but I had reached my maximum potential in my field and decided to pursue an MBA to transition to a more strategic general management career."
The real answer: "I hated my job and I was ready to stab myself in the eye with a fork if I didn't get into Michigan. My boss was a jerk. I had a relationship with a co-worker that ended badly. Take your pick."
Date question: "When was your last relationship?"
The date answer: "I had a boyfriend for a while but when I started business school, we just wanted different things and grew apart."
The real answer: "He conveniently ran into his ex the week after I left and next thing I knew, I was history. But he was bad in bed anyway."
"It's not you, it's me"
Rejection is never easy. They tell you that they'll call you between 5pm to 7pm so you wait anxiously by the phone for that 2nd round call. But that magical call never comes. "Maybe they're running late," you tell yourself. At 8pm, you finally give up. "But I thought they liked me!" you say in disappointment as your MBA2 mentor comforts you. Sometimes the recruiters can't even break the news themselves and get some lackey from HR to send the impersonal rejection email. Other companies let you down easy. "There were just so many good candidates… and we only have a limited number of internship spots." "Remember, recruiting is a two-year process".
A love connection
An offer, finally! Everything is right in the world again. It's funny how much your confidence improves once you're getting some… Some offers, that is! You stand up a little straighter, you act more self-assured in the interviews that follow, and suddenly, everyone wants you! It's really funny how both recruiters and potential dates are attracted to confidence. Now, it's your turn to give the "it's not you, it's me" speech.
Good luck to everyone in both recruiting and dating! It all turns out in the end, right? That's another one of my favorite lines.
Interviews or dates, what are they talking about? With internship recruiting season in full swing, it's a little tough to tell. In fact, the whole process feels very much like a date. Well, except for the sex part. Hopefully, you're not sleeping with recruiters because I think OCD would frown on that. By the way, has anyone started fantasizing about a recruiter in the middle of the interview or is that just me? Um, anyway, here's the Ami Horne take on dating and recruiting.
Networking - A match made in heaven?
Prior to the interviews, it's all about networking and "finding your fit" with a company. You have to put yourself out there and test the waters, very similar to the beginning of the dating process. I really thought the lines started to blur when I attended a marketing event called "speed recruiting." And sometimes, the MBA2s like to do some matchmaking. "I really have a feeling about you and Booz Allen!"
Wine me, dine me…
First the companies try to win you over. They usually break the cardinal rule of first dates and take you out to some of Ann Arbor's finest restaurants. Vineology, the Earl, the Chop House, nothing's too good for our potential interns! Just like a date who's trying too hard to impress, are they setting the expectations too high?
Marketing yourself
Is there really a difference between the conversation in an interview and a first date? Sure, we may not use the exact words, "tell me about a time…" but we tend to spin our answers in a similar matter. Do I even need to give you an example?
Interview question: "Why did you leave your last job?"
The interview answer: "I really enjoyed the company but I had reached my maximum potential in my field and decided to pursue an MBA to transition to a more strategic general management career."
The real answer: "I hated my job and I was ready to stab myself in the eye with a fork if I didn't get into Michigan. My boss was a jerk. I had a relationship with a co-worker that ended badly. Take your pick."
Date question: "When was your last relationship?"
The date answer: "I had a boyfriend for a while but when I started business school, we just wanted different things and grew apart."
The real answer: "He conveniently ran into his ex the week after I left and next thing I knew, I was history. But he was bad in bed anyway."
"It's not you, it's me"
Rejection is never easy. They tell you that they'll call you between 5pm to 7pm so you wait anxiously by the phone for that 2nd round call. But that magical call never comes. "Maybe they're running late," you tell yourself. At 8pm, you finally give up. "But I thought they liked me!" you say in disappointment as your MBA2 mentor comforts you. Sometimes the recruiters can't even break the news themselves and get some lackey from HR to send the impersonal rejection email. Other companies let you down easy. "There were just so many good candidates… and we only have a limited number of internship spots." "Remember, recruiting is a two-year process".
A love connection
An offer, finally! Everything is right in the world again. It's funny how much your confidence improves once you're getting some… Some offers, that is! You stand up a little straighter, you act more self-assured in the interviews that follow, and suddenly, everyone wants you! It's really funny how both recruiters and potential dates are attracted to confidence. Now, it's your turn to give the "it's not you, it's me" speech.
Good luck to everyone in both recruiting and dating! It all turns out in the end, right? That's another one of my favorite lines.
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posted 3/23/10 @ 3:20 PM EST
A friend of mine directed me here and I wanted to comment and thank you for all your hard work.
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