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It’s time to come clean and confess my sin.  I’m not proud of this man-crime, so go easy on me.

Sometime in early November, I found myself nuking up a monster bowl of buttered popcorn around 2:30 in the morning.  A dash of insomnia introduced a movie watching craving that I simply couldn’t turn down.  Finally, my popcorn was popped to perfection, my bottle of water was crisp and cold, and I was ready to enjoy (for the 5th time) “The Dark Knight”.  That was my plan, but something went terribly wrong.  Before I could understand why I selected it, I was staring at the opening credits of “He’s Just Not That Into You”.  There I sat, alone with my popcorn and water, watching 2009′s biggest chick flick film.  Forgive me men, for I have sinned.

Finally, the weight has been lifted and I can explain why I’m stoked to have stumbled on this epic chick flick.  Through my adventures in recruiting, HR, job searching, and blogging I’ve noticed, and wrote about similarities between dating and interviewing.  While the movie played out various dating scenarios in which the main characters tried to understand why their counterpart simply wasn’t interested in them, my HR noggin followed along making connections between the movie’s theme and how job seekers sometimes just don’t get the message.

Given my blog, my experiences, and my honest eyes, I’m fortunate to provide a great deal of job search advice.  Some of the most heart-wrenching questions I hear are, “Do you think they are interested in me?” and “Do you think they will hire me?”  Well, I can’t always be 100% sure, but just like in dating, you can pretty much tell when a match has been made and there are also clear-cut signs when something isn’t going to work out.  Here are some dead-on give-a-ways to look for:

How to know they’re just not that into you

1. You haven’t heard back – It’s been two weeks since your last communication (phone, e-mail, or interview).  Don’t freak out completely, but if a recruiter or manager is interested, they will keep you in the loop.  Send an e-mail to your contact, and let it go.  Move on, because they have.

2. It felt awkward – Leaving your phone screen or interview with a weird vibe may mean this job isn’t for you.  How many happy couples experience a weird vibe the first time they met?  Exactly.

3. Your resume isn’t making it through - Don’t apply 100 times. It’s annoying.  Apply once, wait two weeks, then send again.  No more after that.  You don’t want a restraining order do you?

4. You’ve received a rejection letter – Take your rejection letter, smile, and say “thank you”.  Move on and apply elsewhere.  Maybe you’ll make them jealous.

So, what now?

Do you really want to work for someone that clearly isn’t interested in you?  Of course you don’t. Move on and forget about them.  Intelligent job seekers date around and play the field.  Be smart, and never toss all of your eggs in one basket, or you’re bound for heartbreak.

List out companies of interest and begin connecting and applying to them immediately.  Before you know it you just might find yourself ‘happily’ employed, so enjoy being single while it lasts.

Rich DeMatteo is a Philadelphia area HR/Staffing professional with experience in both agency and corporate recruiting.  Rich runs Corn On The Job, a job search, recruiting, and HR blog.  Connect with him through Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, or subscribe to his blog .

Photo Credit BlackBird Tees.

If you have ever heard me speak about Twitter, you know I am passionate about this social media platform and its possibilities. I am also an advocate of Twitter’s use as a form of internal company communication as well as company branding and marketing possibilities. However, there are a handful of instances and examples that force me to draw the line especially when used in the Human Resource industry.

• Terminations. An employee of the Doner Advertising Agency learned via Twitter from @thefounder that his company was laying off employees prior to any notification being made to employees. Examples like this will continue to be the norm as Twitter and 3G phones and technology continues to grow. I only hope that companies learn to plan appropriately when communicating a downsizing or layoff to their employees via internal memo or other company communication as soon as possible.
• Job Offers. Twitter user @tomraftery received a job offer via Twitter from @redmonk. Interestingly enough @tomraftery accepted and is current working from them as a Technology Analyst in Spain. Certainly, many of 6 million plus that are currently unemployed would be more than thrilled to receive a job offer. Twitter as a means to communicate this message is unprofessional and a slap in the face. A new employee deserves to be communicated and welcomed in more than 140 characters.
• Job Interview. On March 17th, Twitter user and ABC journalist @GStephanopoulos (George Stephanopoulos) and @JohnMcCain (Senator John McCain). While the back and forth banter was very entertaining, I do not see a future in this form of communication if being used in the job interview and hiring process.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are here to stay. Companies need to consider these mediums and use them appropriately in a business and human resource setting.

*Special thanks to www.mashable.com and Tribble Ad Agency.

You’ve made it through the multiple interviews, and it’s job offer time. As if the job interview process wasn’t tricky enough, you’re faced with the salary negotiation process. You have mixed emotions. On one hand you’re excited to receive a job offer and often relieved and on the other you try to maintain your cool. So what’s the standard process?

Typically, you receive a job offer either by phone or face to face with the recruiter or hiring manager. Each job offer situation is different. Here are some points to consider.

• Be upfront. If the hiring manager gives you a lowball offer, express your disappointment and your expected salary range based on the position requirements and qualifications. Sell yourself!!

• Be professional. This is most important. No matter what the situation is don’t beg or treat the hiring manager unprofessionally. Often times the salary negotiation process takes time. Keep your game face on.

• Don’t feel pressured. Take the time that you need before you jump in. Measure the pros and cons. Speak with family members and your professional mentor. If the company wants you, they’ll wait just not forever.

• Ask questions. Hopefully, during the interview process you’ve already asked some questions and gotten a feel of the culture and environment that you might be working in. Make a list and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need.

• Be realistic. Don’t make crazy demands that are unrealistic. I am always upfront with the candidate especially if they are expecting a salary that I can’t offer. Unfortunately, not every company or recruiter is. Follow your gut.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for more. . . money, vacation, pto, benefits. This is your one chance to be in the driver’s seat with the company you’re interested in working for. Be realistic but if you feel you deserve a company car, more vacation, a larger salary, or medical benefits from day 1 of employment, let the hiring manager know. I recommend that you be prepared by doing your research on industry standards as well as being prepared to sell yourself and the reasons why you deserve __________ (add benefit or salary here).

Good Luck and Happy Negotiating!! Next time. . . Networking when Relocating

You’ve put together your resume and reference list and are ready to go on the job hunt. Now what?

I recommend checking your references. These folks you have listed on your resume are assisting you in reaching your goal of landing your dream job. Not checking your own references is like not using spell check on your resume. How does one go about checking their references anyway? I recommend having a friend contact your references. Tell the reference, they are Susie Q with XYZ company and are checking references for John Smith (you). Have them ask a handful of questions including:

1. What’s your relationship with John? How long have you known him?
2. What are John’s strengths and weaknesses?
3. Would you recommend John for the Marketing Director position?
4. Tell me about a project that you worked on with John.

Now once you have completed the reference checking. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Would you hire yourself based on the information your references gave?

Let’s take this one step further. I recommend contacting your references prior to applying for a position. Make them aware of the position, what skills and qualifications you would like them to highlight, and any additional information to add or avoid. Because your marketing plan and resume are specifically tailored to each separate position and company you are interested in, so should your personal and professional references.

More importantly, make sure your references even know they are references for you. Ask them. I have received many calls where I have been listed as a professional reference for someone, wasn’t aware I was a reference, and didn’t recommend them for the position. Why? Because my reputation was on the line.

Next time. . . Interview questions companies CAN’T ask