Want to Succeed at Interviews Perhaps Dating Tips Can Help

Want to Succeed at Interviews Perhaps Dating Tips Can Help Want to Succeed at Interviews Perhaps Dating Tips Can Help You’re nervous but excited, hope to make a good impression, and eager to see if this initial meeting might lead to a long-term relationship. Such a scenario could describe a first date- or a job interview. Realize the similarities and act accordingly, and you might be on the path to succeed at interviews and land the job of your dreams. Here are four dating tips that can help you succeed at interviews and encourage hiring managers to think of you as Mr. or Ms. Right: 1. Put forth your best. Arriving on time, dressing nicely, smiling, being polite- all of these efforts help your date see you in a positive light. The same holds true when interviewing. And don’t limit your good behavior to the main person you’re trying to impress. Just as a suitor can score bonus points by chatting cordially with a date’s parents, candidates can increase their likability by holding a door for a delivery person or warmly greeting the receptionist. 2. Demonstrate genuine interest. “No one wants to date someone who just wants a girlfriend or boyfriend. People want to be with people who are interested in them,” said  Kathryn Minshew, CEO and co-founder of the career website The Muse. She notes in an interview with Business Insider that job situations are the same way. Candidates need to convey excitement about the particular position or company at hand, not their eagerness to simply change their status from “unemployed” to “employed.” 3. Strive for two-way communication. Successful relationships evolve when people have a willingness to both talk and listen. Just as you might prepare for a date by thinking of a few topics you’d like to bring up to get to know the person better, be ready to pose thoughtful questions about the job to the interviewer. When responding, don’t make the other person uncomfortable or bored by oversharing. “Too much information is worse than too little. A first date is not the time to discuss your scathing divorce, the night in jail your son spent, or the meds you take. Likewise, even if your interviewer seems like a friend, she isnt,” notes Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions. “Leave your date wanting more from you, not less. If you spent the whole date waxing prolific about yourself, dont be surprised if you never receive a follow-up call. Ditto for a job interview. An interview is a conversation, not a monologue.” 4. Avoid coming off as needy. Finally, remember that neither a date nor a hiring manager finds desperation attractive. Before your time together ends, express an interest in future interaction- but don’t push for a million details about when the two of you will next make contact. The next day, send one electronic and one hand-written thank-you note to the interviewer to stay top-of-mind. Then, let the future take its course and see if its  meant to be. Looking for job opportunities? Check out the top 250 companies for flexible jobs. Readers, do you think dating and interviewing have similarities? Whats your secret to succeed at interviews? Let us know in the comments section below.