Mistakes To Avoid When Job Searching

Avoid these common job search mistakes

If you have been applying for jobs for some time but still unemployed, there’s a good chance that you’re guilty of one of these common job-search mistakes. Knowing these pitfalls and avoiding them can boost your chances of impressing an interviewer with your credentials and securing that all-important job interview.

Here are the five most common job-hunting mistakes you need to avoid to get your job search moving in the right direction.

Not researching the company

If you attend a job interview without researching the company, it is likely that you will be unable to prove that you are the right fit for the job. The reality is that there will be other candidates with impressive resumes (like yourself) but you can stand out and gain a favourable advantage by showing that you have done your homework.

Here is a list of valuable information that can be gained by conducting company research:

• Company size (number of employees, number of office locations, revenue, etc.)

• Company location (avoid getting lost)

• Mission statement and culture

• Social media activity

• Recent publicity or media coverage

• Public reputation

Not networking

Many job seekers think that a well-written resume that showcases their skills and experience is all they need to land a job. As a result, they seldom spend time networking because they think it is too time consuming and a waste of time. Conversely, networking is critical in today’s competitive job market as candidates stand a better chance of making a personal connection with someone in the industry and getting a recommendation. What you know matters, but who you know counts even more. Attending networking events and connecting with the right people in the industry will yield better results than just simply sending your resume away to people you don’t know.

Not following up

Most recruiters find it hard to select candidates that are the right fit for a position - even after an interview. The tie breaker is often determined by who follows-up with the hiring panel. Following up after a job interview gives you one more opportunity to make a good impression and to show that you’re still interested in the position. Additionally, it is an opportunity to thank the interviewer for their time and to reinforce/clarify any points (or mistakes) you made during the interview.

Sending a generic resume

In general, job seekers think it is a smart idea to cast a wide net when applying to jobs and often send the same resume to different recruiters. Most hiring managers, however, can spot a generic resume from a mile away and can see that you did not customize your application. Rather then sending a generic document, take your time and craft a resume for each job opening so you can take note of the keywords used in the description. A quality resume will always get more traction if it is keyword friendly and shows that you have put in the time and efforts to show you are a match.

Always customize your resume for the job

Only applying to job postings

Many job seekers only apply for job postings that are posted online. This is a very ‘reactive’ way of job searching. Don’t wait until your favourite organizations announces a job opening. Instead, send an email to HR to inquire about current and upcoming opportunities. Better yet, make a personal connection with someone within the company and let them know that you are looking to apply your skill set and open to opportunities. This way you can leverage your connections and find out about opportunities before they are posted.

Wrap-up

Sometimes, an unintentional mistake can keep you from a great opportunity. Knowing the common pitfalls people make when job searching can help you avoid them and land more interviews.

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