catch yourself
Posted by: maureen in practice, offer, appreciation on
Feb 15, 2012
Do you think it’s a good practice to interview for a job you don’t want? You know, to practice interviewing?
Some career consultants think that’s fine. I’m not one of them. A career consultant, that is. But I also don’t think it’s okay to waste someone’s time. Practice on your own time.
If during the interview you discover the position isn’t what you had in mind after all, you’ll want to turn it down graciously--once you get an offer, that is. A note of appreciation is always in order, especially if it’s by snail mail. It’s the right thing to do, but it’s also pragmatic. Things change. The person who brought you in to talk about the less-than-ideal situation might change jobs herself, and be hiring for your dream position the next time you’re looking.
I was going to offer a suggestion for what to do if you don’t get the job you’ve interviewed for and want desperately, but I realized I already had. Write that note.
I’ve had a lot of practice writing thank-you notes after losing out on a job. I’m a writer! I rarely get the gig. But when people take the time to consider my work, they get a heartfelt letter. If they offer me suggestions for how to improve that work, they get a longer heartfelt letter--and probably some gourmet cookies.
As for why it stings not to get an offer for a job you don’t want, I’m afraid I can’t help--but I can relate. How many times have you watched a child who’s completely lost interest in a toy suddenly decide it’s her favorite only because some other kid wants it? It’s a cliché, how often someone dumps a boyfriend or girlfriend only to be upset when that person rebounds a little too quickly for the dumper’s taste.
I guess you just have to remind yourself this isn’t something you wanted. Then go get what you do want. And don’t delay. In the words of one of my favorite bosses: “Ready, fire, aim.”
Some career consultants think that’s fine. I’m not one of them. A career consultant, that is. But I also don’t think it’s okay to waste someone’s time. Practice on your own time.
If during the interview you discover the position isn’t what you had in mind after all, you’ll want to turn it down graciously--once you get an offer, that is. A note of appreciation is always in order, especially if it’s by snail mail. It’s the right thing to do, but it’s also pragmatic. Things change. The person who brought you in to talk about the less-than-ideal situation might change jobs herself, and be hiring for your dream position the next time you’re looking.
I was going to offer a suggestion for what to do if you don’t get the job you’ve interviewed for and want desperately, but I realized I already had. Write that note.
I’ve had a lot of practice writing thank-you notes after losing out on a job. I’m a writer! I rarely get the gig. But when people take the time to consider my work, they get a heartfelt letter. If they offer me suggestions for how to improve that work, they get a longer heartfelt letter--and probably some gourmet cookies.
As for why it stings not to get an offer for a job you don’t want, I’m afraid I can’t help--but I can relate. How many times have you watched a child who’s completely lost interest in a toy suddenly decide it’s her favorite only because some other kid wants it? It’s a cliché, how often someone dumps a boyfriend or girlfriend only to be upset when that person rebounds a little too quickly for the dumper’s taste.
I guess you just have to remind yourself this isn’t something you wanted. Then go get what you do want. And don’t delay. In the words of one of my favorite bosses: “Ready, fire, aim.”
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