Corporate Dating Practices

You've brushed up on their background; prepared questions that you may ask them and answers for their questions. You know where you would see yourself in 5 years....or at least where they want you to be in five years. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know what your biggest challenge was in your previous job and what steps you took to overcome them. You walk into that interview room fully prepared in your newly pressed suit and thirty minutes later you walk out with one thought, "I think that went well." You make your way home and begin constructing the perfect 'Thank You' letter making to sure to make references of what was said and letting them know that you are interested in the position.

Then it begins......the dreadful wait.

Tic toc.

Tic.. Toc...

Tic!... Toc!...

TIC!!!!! TOC!!!!!!

The louder the second hand sounds in your head, the more questions arise; the more you second guess yourself. "Did I make enough eye contact?" "Maybe I didn't give them an answer they wanted." "What if they didn't like me?" All these questions brewing in your mind as the ticking clock echoes in your ears. The sound becoming more deafening with each passing day. Your phone has now taken the place of your significant other's hand as you constantly check for e-mails or phone calls. The seed of self doubt has been planted the moment you stepped out of that room and grows larger and larger....feeding on that dreaded sound; tic toc. The sapling sprouts its leaves until its shadow casts a thick blanket of uncertainties.

Then that battle begins....the one where you question when is the best time to follow-up and how long to wait for a reply for you to follow up again? They said they'll get back to me soon. When is soon? Is two weeks enough time? What if they found someone else?

Yes....we've all been here. The entire interview process is what I would like to call "Corporate Dating." You start off with a friendly, "Hello, I'm so and so....here is my resume." Then they follow with, "Oh hi! I'd like to get to know you more. Would you like to chat?" Based on the initial conversation, you may proceed onto a date or two until Corporate A decides whether or not to begin a relationship with you. This relationship could be great! It could be filled with promises and a hell of a benefits package! But the relationship could also be filled with a bitter other half expecting you to carry all the weight while he/she takes all the credit for it. Regardless of how this relationship turns out, the initial dating period is key to whether or not you'd even make it to that stage where you talk about being exclusive.

So I'll dance your little dance. I'll smile pretty and be genuinely interested in everything you have to say because who knows? This may be the best working relationship I'll ever have!