Even the savviest job hunters sometimes make deadly mistakes that cost them their ideal job. Our experts have identified the top ten errors and provide tips on how to prevent them.
Even the most clever job seeker is sure to make an error now and again, but in a highly competitive talent market, a minor blunder might lose you the job of your dreams.
“It is easy for even the savviest job searchers to make mistakes. By knowing how to handle possible traps from the start, your job search will be more productive and provide more positive outcomes,” says Ford R. Myers, career coach, speaker, and author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One Is Hiring.”
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1. Responding to Job Postings on the Internet
According to Myers, job posts and “want advertisements” create little value in general. Instead, he recommends allocating no more than 5% of your important time to public job ads and allocating the majority of your time to effective networking.
According to the Jobvite 2014 Social Recruiting Survey, 60 percent of the 1,855 recruiters and hiring managers polled indicated their greatest recruits came through recommendations, highlighting the value of networking as a job search technique.
2. Unsolicited Resume Submissions
According to Myers, unsolicited resumes are regarded junk, junk paper, and lost effort. Rick Gillis, a career adviser, speaker, and job search specialist agrees, pointing out that unless your resume is carefully prepared and tailored to an open position, it is likely to be rejected by a company’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
There are techniques to overcome an ATS, but only if your CV is specifically tailored to a specific, open, and available position. You’ll never get a response if you email resumes blindly, and you’ve wasted significant energy that might be spent networking or on other things.
3. Only looking for job openings
According to Myers, more than 40% of roles are created for the applicant, typically during an on-site interview; these opportunities did not exist before the suitable individual emerged.
The idea is to change your emphasis away from “openings” and toward “opportunity,” which may be found almost anywhere.
4. Inefficient Networking
The major goal of any job hunt should be networking. The greatest networkers listen more than they talk, have a clear objective, and are not afraid to ask for criticism and direction.
To network successfully, keep in mind that networking is a “long game” that may progress slowly at first, but might pay off in the long run. it’s better to have a planned, professional strategy that you can readily track and that will keep you responsible.
Set a monthly goal for yourself of contacting three individuals. It doesn’t have to be in person; it might be as simple as sending a quick note through LinkedIn or email to check up and see how they’re doing.
Alternatively, if you can arrange a face-to-face meeting, invite your link to lunch and spend the time informing each other on what’s going on at work and in your personal life.
Read Also: 21 Resume mistakes keeping you from getting a job – How to fix them.
5. Leaving Yourself Open to a Variety of Jobs
While it is crucial to be open to opportunities rather than specific job postings, . Another important aspect of a successful job search is focusing on finding the perfect opportunity rather than “just any job.”
Before you even begin your search, be totally clear on the type of position you want, rather than focusing on one specific job function and then putting all of your efforts on chasing that type of opportunity.
Read Also: Things to Wear on the Day of Your Job Interview.
6. Being Inconsistent in Your Search
Finding a job or changing jobs is a full-time task that should be addressed methodically. Myers recommends developing a well-thought-out process, assigning time for daily contemplation and preparation, and designating a specific area in your house for finding, applying for, and tracking the outcomes of your quest.
You should also put a mechanism in place to hold oneself accountable, such as applying for a particular number of opportunities each day, building networking contacts, revising resumes, and so on.
7. Attempting It Alone
Don’t underestimate the value of career coaches, resume writers, and job search consultants.
Career coaches and other job search specialists offer impartial advice, assist you in thinking “outside the box,” and give a tried-and-true strategy for job search success. Many provide outstanding pay bargaining assistance, which typically results in a pay that much surpasses the job seeker’s expectations. There are varying degrees of investment in various types of career assistance. By all means, seek assistance in your search.
8. Allowing Others to Manage Your Job Search
While working with a career coach, resume expert, or job search specialist might be beneficial, keep in mind that you, the job seeker, are always in charge.
Myers advises working with just a small number of professional recruiters whom you have personally vetted to ensure they are aligned with your beliefs and job search objectives; they may play a significant part in your search, but you must retain control over the whole process, he adds.
For example, don’t let recruiters change your resume without your consent, and make sure you give them your approval before enabling them to pursue firms and opportunities on your behalf.
9. Inadequate Preparation for Job Interviews
All job interviews, consist of five essential elements: defining your worth, demonstrating your expertise of the firm, asking clever questions, negotiating salary, and following up.
Doing comprehensive research about the firm and the interviewer ahead of time might be one of the greatest methods to ensure you’re the top contender for the position.
When interviewing for your ideal job, you must be truly interested in both the organization and the interviewer. If the firm is publicly traded, you may conduct research on it online or through services like as Glassdoor and Indeed.
Don’t be scared to make small conversation; developing a personal connection may be a terrific approach to get an advantage.
Find a shared interest, even if it’s as simple as the fact that you’re both enormous fans of the same firm. If you know all there is to know about the firm, what their objectives are, who their competitors are, what their issues are, and how you can make a difference, it will show on the outside and you will be more likely to get recruited.
10. Not Knowing What Your Market Value Is
You must conduct market research and estimate your market value before attending a single interview; otherwise, you will be haggling without comprehending the statistics.
When the employer has said unequivocally that you are their top candidate, and when they make an offer, understanding what your abilities, expertise, and experience are worth helps make negotiation less difficult.
Compensation benchmarking tools can assist you in determining your market worth based on your technical abilities, experience, and even geographic location.