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 exactly like nightclubbing, and here is why:
1. The Queue of Doom
At the nightclub: You wait patiently in line, only to be turned away because 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 interview, and then…. 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? Did I use the STAR method correctly? Or, am I just too old?
2. 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 jeans, graphic tees and sequinned sneakers. The interview hasn’t even started and you already feel completely out of place.
3. 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 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.
4. The “Not Tonight” Line
At the nightclub: 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.
5. The Grass is Greener
At the nightclub: After being turned away, you see the crowd inside laughing and having the time of their lives. If only I was in there, you think.
In the job search: You miss out on the job and kick yourself for missing out on that ‘dream role’. But what if it wasn’t such a dream role after all?
6. You Question Everything
At the nightclub: After a string of rejections, you start wondering if it’s you. Am I too old? Too out of touch? Should I just stick to trivia nights at the local pub?
In the job search: Repeated rejections can make you doubt yourself. Is it my tech skills? Is it because I took 6-months off to travel? Overqualified? Too old? Live in the wrong suburb? The list goes on and on.
So, How Do You Bounce Back?
Whether it’s getting past the dreaded bouncer or landing that dream job, the strategies are surprisingly similar:
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Stay in the Loop
Keep up with trends. In the job world, 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. In the nightclub world? Maybe follow a DJ or two and head out to raves? 😂 -
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 company culture (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 at 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 companies and/or industry. -
Keep Your Energy Levels High
Whether you’re aiming to dance on the podium or land a job in the exec team, accept that rejection is just part of the process. Stay positive, stay 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. And, if all else fails, I’ll meet you at the local pub for some trivia and a pep talk! 🍷
Leah 💃✨
