"If She Liked Me Enough, She Would Hire Me" - 6/21/18 Edition
Stephen Says Column

 Dear Stephen:

 
 I had a very weird situation the other week, and I am unsure what to do. About a month ago, I was let go from my job at a furniture store that sells to the public and the trade, and I have spent the last several weeks submitting resumes online, interviewing and generally following all of your advice. It has been working! I have been on several interviews, and there are a few prospects I am very excited about.
 
 Last week I hit something of an unusual snag, though. A few of my friends were in town for the weekend (I live in NYC), and I was convinced to go out to some bars with them and have a good time. We had a great night, and I even met a pretty girl. We danced and drank together and eventually she came home with me and then left in the morning. It was all very casual and fun. I didn’t think much of the encounter.
 
 Fast forward to the following Tuesday, and I have a job interview with one of the big retailers that also sells to the trade (like a DWR or RH, but not either of those). It is a brand I have long respected, and I came to the interview excited and prepared. I show up early (per your recommendation) and am introduced to my interviewer, the woman who would be my potential boss. It is her. The pretty girl from the weekend.
At this point I was completely at a loss and thrown off my game. The interview consisted of the two of us plus a representative from the company’s HR department, so neither of us dared to mention the encounter. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if she recognized me, that’s how cool she played it (or how drunk we were).
 
 It has been a week since the interview, and I am not quite sure what to do. At the end of the interview, I was told human resources would be following up with me via email within 10 days. Of course, I sent out my generic “thank-you” notes to her and the HR manager who interviewed me. I just cannot shake the fear my chance encounter on a Saturday night may have ruined my prospects at this great job. I still have the cell phone number of the woman I interviewed with. Do I reach out to her? How professional should my tone be if I do? This is such a unique and crazy situation. I hope you can help.
 
 Help me,
 
 Regrettable Rascal
 

 Dear Regrettable Rascal

 
 Well, what you should have done is follow up with the manager immediately after the interview saying it was nice to see her again, but you were unsure how to bring up your encounter in person. Too late for that now. You might have missed your chance to deal with this situation in the best possible way, but not all is lost.
 
 Your situation is quite unusual, but, believe it or not, it’s not the first time I have heard such a story. I’ve even had people tell me the exact same story, but with people they met on Tinder and Grindr, and so they had a full text chain with them. You are just a bit more old-fashioned it seems.
 
 Here’s the deal: With a new emphasis on sexual harassment in the workplace and the #MeToo movement, you could be applying to a large company that does not even allow its employees to date. These sort of policies are not uncommon at all. I am sure the manager remembered you. And unless she really, really liked you or has a terrible relationship with the HR rep, she probably told them about your tryst. The timing here is a shame, and it sounds like you were excited for the job. Unfortunately, I imagine they’ll just prefer to find a candidate who is a little simpler to hire.
 
 Maybe I’m wrong though, and you get the job. In that case, I would definitely recommend you take a look at the company’s employee dating policies and understand its code of ethics before making another move. Of course, if you get the job, you’ll have to bring the night up with your new boss. I wouldn’t be too worried about that. If she was OK hiring you in the first place, she’ll be fine handling that situation.
 
 Ultimately, if it were me, I would text her now, either way, and ask her out again. It sounds like you had a good time, and there might be something there. I would frame it as an opportunity to chat. Who knows, she might have a good lead on another job for you, or maybe you’ll find a great girlfriend. You’ve got nothing to lose now!
 
 Stephen

 You can send your workplace questions to Stephen at: StephenSays@bellow.press
 
 Questions selected to be answered, will appear in this column. Please use the Subject: Stephen Says for all emails. Stephen Viscusi is a bestselling author, television personality, and CEO of The Viscusi Group, global executive recruiters located in New York. Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenviscusi. Like Stephen on Facebook; and follow him on LinkedIn.