So now that Extended Metaphor Week is coming to an end, I will leave you with one of the best examples I can think of that relates to your job search. Of course, I also like trashy TV (less thinking that way), so that might have something to do with it. So grab the remote, plant your behind on the couch, and get ready to watch some people not make friends.
VH1 is what I would consider one of the great empires of reality television. Where their casting people find the contestants on their dating shows, I don’t know. I think they’re grown in vats somewhere in Southern New Jersey, but that’s just a theory. Regardless of their point of origin, it seems like everyone on every dating show, from Flavor of Love to Rock of Love to Real Chance of Love to Daisy of Love to For the Love of Ray J to I Love New York (notice a trend?) ends up falling into the same trap: a lack of self-awareness.
While it’s easy to understand that copious amounts of alcohol, producers interested in getting good plots from their “unscripted dramas,” clever editors and general silliness may be a large reason that many of these shows have less-than-realistic contestants, it is nonetheless a great way of looking at exaggerated human behavior. One has to wonder how much those involved are attempting to create a character in the hopes of getting their own spin-off, or are looking for national exposure (many of them are invited to do personal appearances at clubs and bars after they are on these shows). To paraphrase Chuck Klosterman, most of the drama on these shows would end almost immediately if one of those in the argument would say, “You’re just saying that because you know it’ll end up on TV.”
But putting aside an anthropological and socio-cultural analysis for a minute, we will focus on the point of this example: how it relates to the job search.
The way that many of the contestants get off on the wrong foot (and the way you can almost always determine the “winner”) is by the first impressions that they make with the star bachelor/ette. Those who drink to excess or who seem too eager to please or too ready to be on TV will not last. Those who conduct themselves in a dignified – or whatever passes for dignified in the world that these shows exist in – manner almost always win. They make a positive first impression.
Breaking this down to its most essential elements, the key characteristic that they all have in common is made of two components: setting themselves apart and keeping something back. While it may just be the editors’ work, it always seems that the eventual winner acts a bit more reserved, relaxed, comfortable, and normal than the rest of the contestants. They let their personalities shine through, rather than adopting a cover to make them seem to be someone else. Also, they don’t charge in with everything they have, be it a special talent, skill, or “other” thing. They show these parts of themselves when prompted to do so, but do not force the issue. Think of these as good job interviewing tactics.
When the shows are over, the contestants will now have a type of notoriety for being on the shows. However, they will be known for their parts in edited conversations, key altercations, or some significant action that they performed while on the show. As people tend to remember things in shorthand, you can use this to your advantage while writing a resume or cover letter. By adding information (or presenting content) in a way that is different from other applicants, you are becoming more memorable to your potential interviewer. As long as you make sure it’s for a good thing (an award, project, skill, etc.) as opposed to something negative (typos, curse words, impractical job experience, etc.), your odds of getting a callback will increase.
There are other lessons that the contestants (many through specific instances) on VH1 dating shows can teach you. Perhaps we’ll go back to that topic at some point in the future.
And by the way, you should not try to get on these shows. Especially I Love Money. That show won’t help your job prospects at all.
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