The analogy between job hunting and..

...ROMANCE. The idea started when a friend of mine was getting 'hints' from a guy who happened to be in a relationship with another girl (Please don't condemn the guy. This blog is not about his story). I teased my friend being the guy's 'part-time job' and I didn't let go of that analogy since. Our comparison between employment and romance developed. Actually, the ideas we formed took a series of telebabad sessions as my friend's love story progressed. You may find this silly, lame, shallow, unoriginal, or whatever. If so, stop reading because I'm just about to list them down.

Seeking for a job is like seeking for a partner. Ergo, unemployment means singlehood.

Passing resumes/CVs is similar to choosing prospects. In job hunting, you try out at the companies you like before anywhere else. You may not end up there but you know you would die of regret if you didn't try. And later on, you pass your CVs to other prospects. And if you get really lucky, you may not end up where you intended to be, but you end up somewhere better. You only settle for kahit ano later on. The same goes in choosing a partner. You know that already, right? Hmm not too sure?

You show the best version of yourself in interviews. Job interviews make or break your chances of getting hired. You get the job by acing your exams and interviews. Sometimes, the cover letter and the sample works do the talking. This is the dating part in relationships. You gotta display your 'skills and abilities' and build a good chemistry with a potential partner. Duh. No need to explain this.

Wait for the call. In job hunting, this the HR's line after an interview. There are companies who will get back at you as soon as they can. There are times when you'll never hear from a potential employer ever again. And last, there are employers who make you hope (or guarantee) as if you get the job but turn out to be a sham. In relationships, this is the stage after/between dating. Results vary: You become a couple, get straight rejection, or hold on to a false hope. Whatever the outcome is, you charge it to experience. There is also an alternative scenario and it's when...

You get the job, BUT. This is a problem when you bag the job in a company you THOUGHT you wanted but suddenly had a change of mind. This is normal, I guess. Settling for a job is closing doors to other pending applications. In romance, it's like finding the right person after a few dates but still hesitate to commit because of other opportunities that could be missed. The latest Smart TV ad says, "there are many fish in the sea." There are many ones out there, indeed.

Hired! Finally, you're employed. But it's not a happy ending yet. The story is just about to begin. You prove your employer that they made a good decision in hiring you. You work hard. You build a good relationship with the boss. In love affairs, you try to make the relationship work against all odds. You resist other temptations that could ruin the relationship. The drama begins. 'Love conquers all' is your favorite motto.

You're employed, BUT. You have a job and you're not content with what you do. It may depress you, or maybe you just want something more. Or you are just plainly bored. At first, you seek for part-time job opportunities. But if the frustration gets worse, you start looking for a new employer. In romance, this is where INFIDELITY unfolds.

Losing grip. Resigning (or worse, being terminated) is like breaking up, is it not? And the cycle goes all over again.

(Originally posted in 2008)