Company Culture

As college seniors prepare to turn their tassels and venture out into the wild, wild workplace, we wanted to shed a little light on the job search process, highlighting how dating is pretty much the same thing as finding the right professional environment. Because even though you may not have shined your pumps and polished your tie clip for an in-person interview, you’ve probably gone on a date that ended in either googly eyes or a pint of ice cream consumed on your kitchen floor (Speaking from a friend, of course.)

Here’s how you can boost your chance of finding a workplace you’ll love.

1. Is What You Hear What You Get?

Let’s face it … things get twisted through the grapevine. Even though your friends may think they’ve found your love match, it doesn’t always mean the chemistry is present. Similarly, it’s easy to get caught up in what you’ve heard about that big, flashy agency in the heart of downtown. It may seem like glitz and glam on Instagram. And your friend may love every second of it. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the best fit for you and what your priorities are.

On the contrary, if a workplace wasn’t the best fit for your mentor or friend, don’t count it out just yet. Ask for an informational interview, grab a cup of coffee and get a firsthand account from someone you aren’t directly connected to.

2. Do the Sparks Fly or Fizzle?

Whether it be a restaurant or a workplace, stay in tune with how you feel from the moment you walk in the room. Does the environment energize you? Comfort you? Confuse you? Are you greeted by a smiling face? Or no one at all?

None of these answers are better or worse than another; it just depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. Just as you’ve thought about the non-negotiables in someone you would like to be with, it’s important to think about your must-haves in the place you will spend most your time.

3. What Exactly Are Your Intentions Here?

If you don’t see your future aligning with your current crush’s, you probably won’t waste much time pursuing him or her. Along the same lines, if you don’t see room for growth at a prospective workplace, it may not be for you. Although it can be difficult to resist the first company who takes an interest in your skillset, keep in mind that it must always be a mutually beneficial relationship. You are interviewing an employer equally as much as they are interviewing you.

Not every workplace you fall in love with will work out flawlessly, but if you follow your heart and never settle for less than the perfect fit, you’ll have a pretty great shot at a match. Now start asking for informational interviews and perfecting your resume. Your glass slipper (or loafer or sneaker) awaits.