Why Interviewing for a Top Job Is Like Dating a Millionaire

If you haven’t yet seen “Millionaire Matchmaker” (not that I’m recommending it), it’s a reality show that matches single wealthy people with good looking other single people hoping to marry someone rich, find love.

The show normally begins with the matchmaker meeting the millionaire and assessing his or her personality and needs. Then, a room full of compatible singles gather to mingle with the millionaire, culminating in the rich man or woman choosing someone to date from the group.

The show continues on by following the couple on their date and blah, blah, blah. My point is that millionaire matchmaking and dating is a lot like recruiting for a top job and filling the position with the “right” person. In the case of “Millionaire Matchmaker,” the matchmaker (“recruiter”) meets with the millionaire (“employer”) to determine who he or she is looking to date (“fill the job”). Then the matchmaker interviews interested singles (“job candidates”) to determine potential compatibility (“a good fit for the job”).

During this process, the matchmaker (“recruiter”) may say things like, “you’re cute” (“you have a good resume”) so “why are you single?” (“why don’t you have a job?”). And, the single person (“job candidate”) might reply “because I was with someone for five years but needed to move to get my Masters, and my boyfriend didn’t want to move, too” (“I had a job but moved to focus on my education and am now looking again”).

Or, perhaps the “candidate” would answer, “I used to date this well established person but moved on,” which equates to: “I used to work for this big time company,” thus suggesting that the “candidate” is desirable and in demand among credible people (“companies”).

Usually the person with the best “story” and compatibility indicators wins. So what does that mean for job candidates?

Well:

• In today’s economy especially, having a good story is important to sell yourself. There are plenty of good resumes (“pretty people”) out there, so you need to explain why you are better.
• You need to have a list of goals that you have accomplished and be prepared to talk about them. Have goals you have reached that are consistent with the company’s (millionaire’s) list of must-haves or don’t apply.
• Listen and have a conversation about what the company’s (“millionaire’s”) needs and share how you can meet those needs. Don’t simply broadcast your awesomeness because unless it’s a match for the company, it doesn’t matter.
• Exude positive energy. This shows you’ll have similar energy on the job (“date”).

True, “Millionaire Matchmaker” doesn’t depict job hunting, but getting a date with a millionaire (“getting a top job at a top company”), can definitely rely on many of the same principles.

Photo courtesy of Bravo TV.