You’re not looking for a job. You’re happy with your current employment status, even if that means you’re unemployed. But your inbox on Indeed and Glassdoor gets an occasional message from a wayward recruiter who’s matching on keywords alone. You have Python listed in your skills, but you haven’t used it in five years for anything practical. The recruiter wants a full-time Python developer on a six month contract in a city you don’t want to live in, which is why they’re messaging you.
You’re not looking for a partner. You’re happy with your current relationships status, even if that means you’re single. But your inbox on Instagram and Twitter gets an occasional message from a wayward suitor who’s matching on looks alone. You have Skyrim listed as an interest, but you haven’t played in five years for longer than an hour or two. The suitor wants a summer fling or maybe something more in a part of town that you never go to, which is why they’re messaging you.
You’re not exactly looking for a job, but you’re not exactly happy in your current one either. Suddenly, a recruiter pings you on LinkedIn. A top three company in your field. A job description that actually suits your skills and interests. Pay that meets or exceeds your current salary. It can’t hurt to talk to them, right? But a sense of loyalty to your employer wracks you with guilt. You like some of your coworkers, after all, and you wouldn’t see them as much if you left. And learning a different company’s email system seems exhausting. Still, though. Being headhunted like this gives you a boost of confidence. Clearly this recruiter sees your worth, even if your boss doesn’t.
You’re not exactly looking for a partner, but you’re not exactly happy with your current relationship status either. Suddenly, a suitor pings you on Facebook. A rockin’ bod and in your neighborhood. A personality that actually suits your lifestyle and interests. A sense of ambition that’s greater than your current beau’s. It can’t hurt to talk to them, right? But a sense of loyalty to your partner wracks you with guilt. You like some of their friends, after all, and you wouldn’t see them as much if you left. And learning a different partner’s kinks and love languages seems exhausting. Still, though. Being hit on like this gives you a boost of confidence. Clearly this person sees your hotness, even if your partner doesn’t.
You’re looking for a new job. Your current job is fine, but doesn’t spark the passion it did two years ago when you joined the company. You feel stuck. Where’s this career path even going? Will you ever get promoted? You clean up your LinkedIn profile. Get a new headshot. Update your skills. Take an online certification or two. Start networking. Asking your friends if their companies are hiring. Sending applications into the void. Hoping. Waiting.
You’re looking for a new partner. Your current partner is fine, but doesn’t spark the passion they did two years ago when you first hooked up. You feel stuck. Where’s this relationship even going? Will you ever get married? You clean up your Tinder profile. Get a new headshot. Update your interests. Take an gym class or two. Start networking. Asking your friends if their friends or siblings are single. Sending OKcupid messages into the void. Hoping. Waiting.
You’re getting ready for an interview. You stalk the company and the recruiter and the hiring manager on social media. You dress to cater to their tastes. You’re nervous to make a good first impression. You actually study for the interview, which you never used to do.
You’re getting ready for an date. You stalk the suitor and their friends and their siblings on social media. You dress to cater to their tastes. You’re nervous to make a good first impression. You actually do your hair for the date, which you never used to do.
You come home from the interview. You start to regret some of the things you said. They weren’t authentically you. You didn’t really see yourself at that company five years from now. Why did you lie? You’re not really an expert in SQL; you learned it last night from YouTube. Why did you lie? You don’t normally dress in a button down and slacks. Why did you lie?
You come home from the date. You start to regret some of the things you said. They weren’t authentically you. You didn’t really see yourself with kids five years from now. Why did you lie? You’re not really that into craft beer; you learned about it last night from YouTube. Why did you lie? You don’t normally dress in heels. Why did you lie?