Comments on: Guest Post: Why interviewing should never be ‘life or death’

By: Pylin Chuapetcharasopon

Pylin Chuapetcharasopon — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:11:23 +0000

This post could’ve totally gone into your “how job interviews are like dating” post! I think I’m going to recite “Calm your crazy ass down” when I’m in that position for sure! Thanks for the insights, Rich!
Pylin Chuapetcharasopon´s last blog ..Arthemie: is almost done with her AOM paper! How are others doing?

By: Emily Jasper

Emily Jasper — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:54:58 +0000

I think you were right on the ball about trying not to let your current performance go down. If you’re too focused on the future (that hasn’t come yet), your now will suffer. All you need is the new company to call your current boss for a reference and hear you aren’t getting your basic responsibilities done. I’ve also seen it around me where someone thought they were way better than the role, that the responsibilities were beneath them (so was really, really bad at the job). So when he tried for an internal promotion, he already had strikes against him. He had no way to back up the behavior other than pigheadedness. If you are looking for what’s next, never give anyone around you a reason to think that you won’t always be awesome at a job. You could find an understanding boss who might even help you with that next step, even if it is outside the company.

Good job Rich.
Emily Jasper´s last blog ..I Can’t Take A Compliment…

By: srinirao

srinirao — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:02:10 +0000

@Dave: It’s interesting you bring up pursuing. I think excessive pursuit of anything ironically drives it away. You’ll be pleased to know my job situation now has been setup in such a way that I”m doing social media strategy for 30 hours a week, making more money than I was, getting freelance work on the side, and of course getting tons of time in the water.

@Rich: I’m glad our paths have crossed and that you posted here. Impatience and urgency are exactly what made me take that job that I quit in two weeks.

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:17:32 +0000

@Dave – great take on things. Sitting back and waiting for the right opportunity when positioned correctly can only go well.

Some folks can’t wait. Either it’s impatience or urgency (need for a job), but they feel they must go out and take any opportunity. I see both sides, but if it works for YOU then that is all that matters.
Rich DeMatteo´s last blog ..Break free from your template…

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:23:38 +0000

These things almost always turn out for the better!

In my experience: things either fall into my lap, or they don’t. Haven’t had much success “pursuing” anything. I seem to do better by “positioning” myself as the obvious person, or simply appearing at the right place at the right time.
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Made to Stick: Earworms for your brain

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:11:09 +0000

@Srini- Thanks for the opportunity. I look forward to the interview tomorrow as well.
50+ interviews is a lot and you showed patience. Good for you, you’ll be rewarded I’m sure

@Kenji – What you say is true. The “spicing” up of a job can make the candidate (and us when we look) drool. It’s tough not to sell a job, and make it seem better. It’s sort of our job as a recruiter….but hopefully still staying realistic.

I agree, plenty of fish. Just need to be patient and wait to pul up on the bait…

By: Kenji Crosland

Kenji Crosland — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:12:24 +0000

Almost every job seems amazing when they sell it to you in an interview. As a former recruiter myself I admit to having “spiced up” job descriptions. I think it’s important to put things into perspective. If you don’t get the job, there’s plenty of other fish in the sea, even in a recession.
Kenji Crosland´s last blog ..The Rise of the Generalist Part II: The Specialist’s Survival Guide

By: srinirao

srinirao — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:26:43 +0000

@Rich: Thanks for guest posting here. As somebody who’s been through the job search myself I think you have many valid points. I went through close 50+ interviews (probably more), even found a job at one point that I walked away from, but in the end it really came down to letting the right opportunity to come and focusing on what I could control.