Category: Just Because

Job Interviews and Dating: Three Strikes You’re Out

Ask any of my friends about my dating life, and they will say that most are lucky to make it past the third date. Many find this magic number of three peculiar. However, I think it’s perfectly rational. You can usually figure out within the first 15 minutes of meeting someone if there is chemistry, a.k.a. you want to see them naked. Then, you spend the next few dates discovering if you want to learn more about them. By the end of the third date, you reach the conclusion of “that was nice” or even worse, “that was a waste of time”, and you know it’s time to call it quits and move on. However, if your curiosity is still peaked, a fourth date might be worth your wild.

Recently as I have been interviewing for a new job, and I came to the conclusion that the process for finding that perfect position – either with a mate or employment – is the same.

Like the three date rule with relationships, you usually know by the third interview if the job is right for you. Either your excitement about working with the company increases or you mark if off your list.

Think about it…

Interview #1:

You talk with the recruiter, usually over the phone, and you know right away if you could possibly see yourself working there. You don’t divulge too much on this first meeting. You feel it out to see if it’s a match.

giphy_hello there

Interview #2:

This is when you start getting into the details of the position and discussing your background. On a date, you might talk about your past dating history and family. And if you are bored out of your mind, you try to keep a smile on your face until the end.

gif_fake interest

Typically the 2nd interview is longer than the first, and if they don’t pass muster, a third will never happen.

gif_run away

 

Interview #3:

By now you have a feeling that there is something there, and you spend your time really digging into the details. Trying to figure out if you can really see yourself working there and what your day-to-day will look like once the “honeymoon” stage is over.

gif_got it

Of course, this is never an exact science. But if you know what you want and don’t want, the process is a lot easier.

What’s your interview process like?

Let Email Work For You, Not The Other Way Around

When it comes to email, we all know the basics. However, not everyone understands how to use email efficiently to prevent it from becoming a constant distraction or sometimes even an annoyance.

A few simple tips to help free yourself from email:

Schedule Time to Email

Think about your work email. Can you count on one hand how many times a day you check it? If you are like me, that’s not possible. With access to email now in your back pocket or even on your bedside table, it’s easy to check your email anywhere, anytime. Add to the fact that many email programs have email notifications and we are continuously tied to our email.

It’s time to gain your freedom from email. Try scheduling a couple times in the day to check and reply to your email. I would suggest morning and afternoon — just try not to schedule it first thing in the morning, so you can focus a bit in the morning on more challenging and productive tasks. The hardest part for me is NOT checking my email from my phone — especially first thing in the morning while still in bed.

Turn off email notifications

Notifications are everywhere these days. The world is so hyper-connected; it’s now almost too connected, with too much noise. Optimize your day and improve your focus by turning off your email notifications both on your desktop and mobile device.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish without constant interruptions.

How to reply

Even though people appreciate fast replies, it’s not generally expected. I have friends and co-workers whom all like to sit down and catch up on emails over the weekends, sometimes at 2AM. Do I think they want a quick reply, especially at the wee hours of the morning? Nope. Then, why would it be the same during business hours?

Tip: If you email someone and expect a quick reply, type when you need a reply in the subject line.

Set proactive guidelines

Setting guidelines for email replies may seem trivial, but it’s absolutely necessary in creating productive lines of communication. For example, a 24 hour window for replies, depending on your business, sets expectations for sending and receiving emails. You can also put your email guidelines in your signature. For example, state that you return emails within a certain time frame or if the matter is urgent, ask people to call you directly.

Also, if you don’t need a reply, and the email is for informative reasons only, try placing “FYI” in the subject line. That way people can read the email in a timely fashion without the expectation of needing to reply. In addition, if you do in fact need a reply within a certain time frame, state that either in your email or on the subject line.

Email is a part of our daily life. It’s time to make it work for us, not against our productivity.

I’d love to know what tactics and tools you use to help manage your emails. Let me know by commenting below.