Today, many people are looking for jobs. With universities churning out highly-qualified people in all fields, any advantage in searching for a job, matters. Avoid some common job-hunting mistakes to be on the path to success!
Lack of Focus
Your resume must interest a hiring manager about your qualifications for the job. You may be a great cook at a fast food chain, but irrelevant for the job at a tech desk. Ideally, prepare versions of your resume tailor-made for jobs in different fields.
Typos
Proof-reading ones own writing is difficult. Your mind knows what you wish to convey, so it skips blatant errors that jump out at anyone reading the resume. Request friends to proofread your resume. Read your entire email backwards, word by word. Ensure clear communications without mistakes to separate you from the others.
No Online Presence
Earlier the Internet to find a job, but that time is over. Hiring managers may Google you, and worse than discovering pictures of you on a head stand, is finding absolutely nothing at all. Every job seeker must have an updated LinkedIn profile with a few connections and possibly, a few recommendations.
Not Doing Research
When you land an interview, find out everything there is about the company beforehand. Show an honest interest in the company, their mission and vision to prove that you take this opportunity seriously. Many of the companies have “About Us” pages on their websites which is a place to start!
Applying Only to Job Postings
Don’t be afraid of being proactive in your job search. Prepare a list of companies you would work for and email their HR people to inquire about upcoming jobs. Inform them about being part of their long-term vision and that you aren’t just applying to every job.
Doing Your Network
Knowing which companies are hiring and companies you want to work for, involves talking to people with first-hand experience. If you do not know someone working in the same field as you, find out about some networking events near you and meet people.
Bad Attitude
Wasting time on drafting cover letters and surfing job boards with little success is frustrating. However, you must stay positive. Any negative attitude about the entire job-hunting process manifests in your writing and in your interviews. Never take these rejections personally, and think of each application as a renewed opportunity.
Being a Pest
No one likes being hounded constantly by an over-eager stranger. Don’t spend valuable time calling the hiring managers again, to stay atop any application. A single phone call as follow-up is entirely acceptable; anything more than that adds you to the “annoying” pile.
Unprofessional Email Address
While applying to jobs, the email address used is important. You may use your hotmail.com email more than any other account, but potential employers do not want this. If you lack a university email address, prepare a plain and simple name-based account (name.surname@website.com). It makes a lot of difference to your application.
Botching the Cover Letter
Never get lazy with your cover letter. Never send a bare resume and pay attention to what is sent. If applying to many jobs use a formal cover letter, replacing the company name and job title everytime, making sure to avoid incorrect information. Pay attention while proofreading.
