Due to the similarities between the interview process and dating, apply FDS

A recent job hunting experience was the perfect juxtaposition to prove the title.

When I dealt with two companies, their treatment was a reflection of if they saw my value and talent. Both took nearly the same amount of time to interview me, but different approaches. 3 months vs. about 10 weeks, for context.

Company A:

• Vibe that I should be grateful to be considered

• Crossed a personal boundary by doing one of their editing tests

• Forced to acclimate to their time zone for a daily meeting that was generally irrelevant to my role

• Even after 3 months, they were still uncertain about me. This activated my people pleasing nature and I felt myself feeling insecure

• Lower salary

• Negative about remote work, even though it was a remote role

• Would disappear for weeks between interviews then reappear asking me to meet at a specific time. It was always early in my time zone but convenient for them.

Company B:

• Excited by my skills and education; grateful I considered them

• Don't believe in asking recruits to do free labour because it's icky. This aligns with my personal boundary to never do them

• Flexible schedule; treat employees like adults and professionals

• Huge salary that they were apologetic about! They're working to top me up with a bonus structure

• Enthusiastically remote

• I always knew where I stood with them. Even though interviews were weeks apart due to time zones, schedules and holidays, they immediately booked me for the next interview. It was either within hours of our convo, or the next day. Always within 24 hours. They moved it forward consistently and communicated.

  
  
  
  

  After I was hired but before I started, they sent me the top of the line, most expensive MacBook Pro on the market. Before I even walked in the door to start, they invested over $2000 in me. Compare it to the last place I left which lied to my face about the trash computer they gave me. I left after 7 weeks because they didn't respect me.

  
  
  
  

  Apply FDS when job hunting to ensure you land at a spot that values and respects you as a person and professional. It took me way too long to learn this lesson. The same rules and red flags apply.

• Edit for typo