The First Impression:
If you’re looking to start a new relationship and impress someone, you’re going to want to put your best foot forward. Just like an attractive dating profile is essential for online dating, your CV is just as important in your job search.
Now imagine you lie on your dating profile… It may get you a date but sooner or later the truth will come out and now you have a black mark against your name. So, whilst it may be tempting to ‘beef’ up your profile with a little white lie here or there, the consequences can be dire. After all, no one wants to be ‘cat fished’, and the same applies for future employers too. Your CV should showcase your abilities and skills, but it also needs to be authentic and true. So, if you haven’t actually completed your Degree, please don’t make it look as though you have i.e. “Ooppss, sorry, I forgot to add that I have two modules outstanding”.
The Content:
You wouldn’t include random information on your dating profile that isn’t going to help you get the date so don’t do it on your CV. You don’t want to overwhelm the person, but you also don’t want to under sell yourself. If there’s any place in society to be that person who brags, it’s on your CV. Brag! Brag! Brag! However, again only relevant accomplishments! No one wants to hear about the hot dog eating competition you won when you were ten (as impressive as it may be!).
The Relationship:
Sometimes you know the minute you meet your date that you have no chemistry. You know straight off the bat that it’s simply not meant to be. The same goes for the job hunt. It might be clear it won’t work from the get-go or you could be deep in the process before the mismatch reveals itself. But you need to remember that you aren’t the only party involved and it’s going to be a mutual decision. It’s all about the right fit. Both you and the potential future employer need to feel comfortable. Though you may have all the relevant experience sometimes it just isn’t right. And that’s okay. The key to a happy and permanent job is finding the right company/business. A forced employment is just as uncomfortable as a forced relationship.
The Rejection:
We all know that one of the hardest parts of dating is potential rejection. And more often than not, the dating game will end with a no. But just like the saying goes, there are other fish in the sea, there are other employers out there. Apply the same ideas to the job search. With every ‘no’ you come closer to that perfect match. Rejection is part of the process. Keep your head held high; you’ll be better off for it in the end. Remember that it’s not a rejection, it’s just redirection.
Finding the right job can take a long time, just as finding the right partner can. It takes hard work and resilience, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, so never give up. The right match is out there.
