You Are Your Own Business

The Art of Reverse Interviewing

It is clear that today's job market is experiencing a paradigm shift. No longer is the traditional job interview a one-way street where applicants scramble to prove their worth to potential employers. Now, as we recognize our own individual value, potential, and expertise, the dynamic is changing. It's crucial to remember that you are your own business, and every interview is a two-way evaluation.

Recognizing Your Worth

The first step to this mindset change is seeing yourself as a valuable entity, like a business. You have skills, experiences, values, and goals. These components are your 'products' and 'services'. When a company posts a job description, it's equivalent to them releasing a 'Request for Proposals' (RFP) to which you're responding.

Take a moment and think about that. A business wouldn't blindly accept any offer without evaluating its pros and cons. Similarly, why should you?

The Job Description: Your Cue

When a job description resonates with your experience and aligns with your future aspirations, it's an indication of a potential right fit. However, remember it's just a 'potential' fit. While you might meet all their qualifications and even exceed them, does the company meet your criteria?

The Interview: A Mutual Evaluation

Here comes the most transformative part of this process - the interview. While the company evaluates you based on their needs, you should also be evaluating them based on yours.

𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓:

Company's Vision and Mission: Does it align with your personal and professional goals? Remember, as a 'business', you have a vision and mission too. Is there harmony?

Work Environment: You're not just looking for any workspace but an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and aligns with your values.

Opportunities for Growth: A business always looks for growth potential in any deal. So should you. Are there opportunities for professional advancement? Can you visualize a future there?

Cultural Fit: While your skills and experiences might align with the job role, does the company culture align with your personality and values?

Remember, when they ask at the end of the interview if you have any questions, this is your golden moment. Not just to clarify doubts, but to 'interview' them. Ask questions that will help you understand if this is the right partnership for you.

It's a Partnership, Not Just Employment

Every job role is essentially a partnership between you and the organization. Just like any other business deal, both parties should benefit. This mindset increases your chances of job satisfaction and not only increases your chances of job satisfaction but also puts you in a position of empowerment.

The next time you're preparing for an interview, remember this:

𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑶𝒘𝒏 𝒊𝒕.