Lesson from The Bachelorette: The Follow-Up

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Job hunting is a lot like dating.

There really should be a reality show about this. Wait, there is – The Bachelorette.  It’s the ultimate interview experience.

What a train wreck. I can’t imagine putting myself through such a dating fiasco in front of millions. Yet there are so many lessons to be learned from this show that relate to the job search.

Yes, I’m serious. 

Everything from first impressions to thirty-second “Tell me about yourself” speeches to dress-for-success stories to having questions to ask the hiring manager.

Or in this case the bachelorette.

This week’s lesson from The Bachelorette is called The Follow Up.  It’s something many of us struggle with after we apply for a job.

Let’s say we have a great interview; we feel good about our conversation with the hiring manager; we had a real “connection” and we think we’re going to get an offer. Suffice it to say we leave the interview feeling pumped.

How or when do we follow-up with the hiring manager after an interview? 

Hopefully we do not take our cue from one of the current Bachelorette contestants, an overly confident bachelor who does not understand the rules when it comes to dating on the reality show.

This particular gentleman, having made a connection during an earlier date with the Bachelorette, decided that during the group date he no longer needed to pursue the young lady.  He reasoned that if she really liked him, she could “make an effort to find him”.

Unfortunately for him, that’s not how the game works.

The show is about courting the Bachelorette.  She holds all of the power to “hire” or “fire” the participants. The men are supposed to be in constant pursuit, proclaiming their intentions, while she is not allowed to proclaim her intentions until she chooses (hires) a winner.

No way was she going say “You’re hired” with the customary red rose given to the bachelors who advance to the next round.

Doesn’t this sound a lot like the interview process? 

In the real world, the hiring manager holds all the power.  As candidates we are in constant pursuit, proclaiming our desire to work for the company and touting our capabilities until a candidate is selected.

No matter how great you feel about the interview, no matter what kind of electric vibes you may have received from the hiring manager, it is always up to the candidate to continue to pursue the job opportunity.

Never take the attitude, “They liked me, so now they can call me”.

Unless you don’t want the job.

The day of the interview send thank-you emails to everyone you’ve met, followed by hand-written thank-you notes post-marked that night.

Wait a few days and if you haven’t heard anything, contact the hiring manager again with a friendly email or call reiterating your desire to work for her and the company.

After another week, try again.  Just remember that too much communication is as bad as too little. It’s a fine line between showing interest and being a pest.

True, you can have the best interview and feel a great connection with the hiring manager and still not get the job.  If that happens, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you gave it your best shot.

Who knows? You may demonstrate the kind of attitude that will get you an offer. And maybe a rose.