Job searching (and nightclubbing) can be a rollercoaster, but the right mindset and strategy can help you open those doors. Photo: File.
An unsuccessful attempt to relive her nightclubbing days led Leah Lambart to reflect that failing to get past multiple club bouncers has similarities to a frustrating job search.
A recent girls’ night out had me reliving the glory days. After an incredible concert, my friends and I were on such a high that we decided we just had to go dancing.
The only problem? We hadn’t set foot in a nightclub in years and had no clue where to go.
Reverting to our party days, we headed to an old favourite in South Yarra. After waiting 20 minutes in the queue, we were told it was a “full house”, despite watching others slip in the entrance after whispering in the ear of the bouncer.
Next stop: Another trusty haunt. Same drill, same result. This time, we started questioning everything. Was it really a full house? Was it a private event? Were we not dressed right? Or (gulp) were we just too old?
Dejected, we ended the night nursing our bruised egos and a glass of wine at a nearby pub.
As I reflected on the evening, it struck me that job searching is a bit like nightclubbing, and here is why.
The queue of doom: At the nightclub, you wait patiently in line, only to be turned away because you are told it’s full, even as others seem to glide right past you.
You start second-guessing: Am I not attractive enough? Am I now wearing the right clothes? Did I say the wrong thing to the bouncer?
In the job search, you submit your application, get invited to an interview, and then are ghosted. Meanwhile, you hear that someone else landed the job.
What follows is a spiral of questions: Was it my resume? Did I say the wrong thing in the interview? Or, am I just too old?
The dress-code dilemma: At the nightclub, you show up in what you think is a hot outfit, only to realise the vibe has changed somewhat since your last night out, and everyone looks like they are barely dressed.
In the job search, you turn up for an interview in a new Saba suit, only to find the entire office is rocking in jeans, graphic tees and sequinned sneakers. The interview hasn’t even started and you already feel completely out of place.
The VIP factor: At the nightclub, the people who know the DJ or the bouncer get direct entry without waiting in the queue. Meanwhile, you’re left lining up and wondering how you fell out of the scene.
In the job search, using your network is the golden ticket. Those with insider connections often have the edge. In a tough economy, people will hire those they know and trust.
The ”not tonight” line: At the nightclub, you are rejected with a vague excuse like: “Not tonight, ladies.” It stings, but you’re left wondering: “Why not tonight? What about tomorrow? What does this even mean?”
In the job search, a generic rejection email hits your inbox. “We’ve gone with another candidate.” No feedback, no closure. You’re left guessing what you could have done differently, with no way to improve for next time.
You question everything: After a string of rejections at the nightclub, you start wondering whether it’s you. Am I too old? Too out of touch? Should I just stick to trivia nights at the local pub?
Repeated rejections in the job search can make you doubt yourself. Is it my tech skills? Is it because I took six months off to travel? Overqualified? Too old? Live in the wrong suburb? The list goes on and on.
Whether it’s getting past the dreaded bouncer or landing that dream job, the strategies for bouncing back are surprisingly similar.
Keep up with the trends: That means networking, having a strong LinkedIn presence and staying connected with recruiters, ex-colleagues, and industry contacts even when you don’t need their help.
Dress for success: Whether it’s jeans and sneakers or corporate attire, research the dress code ahead of time.
You want to fit the vibe and demonstrate that you will fit into the organisation’s culture. Best to be not too casual and not too stiff.
Don’t take rejection personally: Sometimes, it’s not about you. It could be a full house or an internal candidate earmarked for the job. Dust yourself off and keep trying.
Expand your network: Just like knowing the DJ helps you get into a nightclub, knowing someone on the inside can help you land the job.
Put together a LinkedIn engagement strategy to build your network in your ideal organisations and/or industry.
Keep your energy levels high: Whether you’re aiming to dance on the podium or land a job in the executive team, accept that rejection is just part of the process.
Stay positive snd persistent, and find activities that build confidence and keep your energy level high.
Job searching (and nightclubbing) can be a rollercoaster, but the right mindset and strategy can help you open those doors.
If all else fails, I’ll meet you at the local pub for some trivia and a pep talk.
Leah Lambart is the founder of Relaunch Me, based in Victoria. She helps people find the work that they were meant to do. She can be contacted at [email protected]. This article first appeared on Leah’s blogsite.
