[jvannistelrooy]

While I agree with a lot of the suggestions in this post, I disagree with the "you’re not buying, you’re selling" part. It's just not that one-sided.

I think the proces of hiring or applying works best when it's a conversation between equals. Both the employer and applicant have something of value to offer, and both expect something of equal value in return.

Many employers and applicants act like the other side should be happy to talk to them (they're granting them a favor). If you really think the other side has more to gain from talking to you than yourself, why did you decide to have the conversation in the first place?

Sure, markets are not perfect, so the most popular employer in a city and the best engineer with nowhere-to-find expertise might both be able to act as a buyer. For the rest of us: We're buying, and we're selling.