When recently coaching a friend on an upcoming job interview, I realized that these scary meetings are very much like first dates. A lot of the anxiety is the same, as is your desire to make a dynamite first impression. Unfortunately, some of the mistakes are the same as well. Maybe you never thought about it like this, but the reason you didn’t get that job you were amazingly qualified for could be the same reason you didn’t get asked out for a second date by that adorable dude you went out with a few weeks ago.
Bad mouthing your ex
When you’re interviewing for a new job, or on a first date (which is an interview as well, albeit of a different kind) talking badly about your ex, either professionally or personally is bad for business and your love life. If anything it will cast you in a bad light.
If you’re trying to snag a job, and talk about what an evil tyrant your former boss was, the person interviewing you won’t be able to help but wonder if the super strained relationship wasn’t your faultand she’ll think twice before hiring someone with a history of workplace conflict.
If it’s a date? Same rules apply. If you go on and on about how horrible of a person your ex-lover is, the new person is going to think, “that could be me she’s talking about one day”. Guaranteed.
Blabber Mouth
The line between being confident and presenting yourself in a good light and compromising the conversation is a fine one. You want your future boss or future partner to know all the wonderful things about you, without overdoing it. Moreover, if you never stop talking, the other person, be it an interviewer or a date, will never be able to get a word in about the job/the company/themselves.
Yakkity Yakkity; Again
After a first date that induced butterflies or a job interview that inspired confidence, it’s all you can do to keep from jumping onto Facebook and letting the world know. Showing that restraint could save you a heap of future embarrassment.
If you’re thinking that your potential new boss/dating sweetie won’t find out about your public crowing, think again. We all know that the internet is a public place, and you’re far better off keeping budding professional and personal relationships to yourself until you’re on firm footing.
Something was off
Or maybe on your shirt. Perhaps you had on just a tad too much cologne. It could have been any one of a hundred different little details. As unfair as it may be, some things just get under someone else’s skin and they’ll derail a first meeting fast.
This post was developed by the writers of the Datepad.com internet dating company where you can read hundreds more helpful dating posts. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
