Are you working for your mom?
You know the saying,"You marry your mother”? Well...
If in fact, interviewing is like dating, then we can easily say that when we are job hunting, we are drawn, on an unconscious level, toward the familiar. That is just human nature.
Can your upbringing impact your career, the jobs you take, and how you interview, just as it does when you are dating? I believe, yes.
A body of psychological research reveals that our earliest relationships, especially with our mother, not only influence how we are able to connect to others as adults—in romantic and other contexts—but also create internalized scripts or working models of how ALL relationships work.
I often find that people tend to go after similar positions or industries that may have been toxic. It is hard to break a cycle that you think is good for you, but in actuality is holding you back from reaching your full potential. Just like when you are dating, being self-aware is important to picking the right person who will meet your needs, support you, and not feel threatened by you reaching your full potential.
Below are some tips to finding the right career-mate.
Take a moment to really reflect- What type of culture, manager, and industry will motivate you and essentially create a place where you can meet your full potential?
Don’t just take a job to take it- After a date you probably go on social media to make sure the person isn’t a huge tool. The same applies to interviewing. Using sites like Linkedin or Glassdoor, allows you do some digging before you go to bed... I mean accept the job
Ask questions- During your interview, be sure to ask as many questions as you can. Not only will this show engagement and interest, but it will also help you determine if you feel there is a fit. It doesn’t have to be a one way street.
Bottom line: Get out of your comfort zone, and try something new that you feel will support you in reaching your full potential. What’s the worse that can happen, you find something you love?