Job hunting is an extended and frustrating process. The difficulty is, some people make finding a job much harder for themselves than it must be.
No matter whether you’re on the lookout for your first job, stuck in a job you hate, have recently develop into unemployed, or are on the lookout for a profession change, even the savviest of job seekers are certain to make a mistake here or there. Unfortunately, once you’re in the course of a job search, the smallest blunder may very well be the difference between landing the position and being faraway from the hiring process completely.
Listed below are 7 huge mistakes to avoid when job hunting, and methods to avoid them.
1. Don’t Keep It to Yourself
Trying to find a brand new job is a really personal experience. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that it is best to keep it to yourself.
The time it takes most individuals to seek out a job will likely be at the least three months but will be for much longer. With the assistance of friends, family, and skilled networking connections, it is feasible to cut back this timeline. Personal referrals and knowing which firms are currently hiring (or will probably be soon) will be incredibly helpful. So, it is best to refer to colleagues and family members to see in the event that they can get you in contact with any of the suitable people.
Depending in your circumstances, you may consider hiring a profession counselor once you’re on the lookout for a job. Particularly should you need specific profession advice, are transitioning right into a recent profession, or need assistance with interviewing. But there are also several places where you possibly can get free job search support. Use CareerOneStop to seek out an American Job Center, contact your campus profession services department (should you are a student, recent graduate, or alumni), or search online to seek out an area profession center.
These professionals provide a variety of profession services, including resources, local job postings, assistance with resumes and applying for jobs, and sometimes host job fairs.
2. Don’t Apply Through Indeed Only
The primary place most individuals start their job hunting is with online job boards like Indeed. These are a fantastic source of knowledge which were helping job seekers find work for years now. You’ll be able to study open positions and corporations which are hiring, in addition to easily apply for jobs with one click. A lot of these online job sites also offer job alerts and have a mobile app, making it even easier for people to use for brand spanking new jobs.
That being said, consider not applying for a position through the job search sites yourself. With the method being really easy, tons of (even 1000’s) of individuals apply through sites every day.
For a greater probability of standing out, apply on to the corporate or hiring manager, should you can. The primary place to look is on the corporate’s own website, for a profession or join us page.
Remember to rigorously read the job posting, though. If it specifies how they need you to use, it’s essential to follow their instructions if you ought to be considered for the job.
3. Don’t Overlook the Job Requirements
While it is best to remain open to job opportunities, you possibly can’t solid your net too far. For one reason or one other, there are some jobs that you just simply is not going to qualify for. As an alternative of wasting your time, focus your job search so that you just’ll have more success.
A number of the time people apply for his or her “dream job” or positions they’re not qualified for based on the job title, hoping the hiring manager won’t notice. Unless you possibly can quickly learn the brand new job skills needed, this probably won’t work out in your favor.
You could have to rigorously read the entire job description!
Many job postings have required qualifications and preferred ones. In case you meet nearly all of the required skills or experience (particularly the highest ones), don’t talk yourself out of applying! You never know what a hiring manager will prioritize or be willing to show you on the job unless you are trying.
4. Don’t Use a Bad Resume
Most applications today are routinely screened through an applicant tracking system (ATS) first. Your resume and canopy letter need to incorporate the most important keywords from the job description should you want your application to be seen by an individual. These are the very first opportunity that you might have to impress employers; it’s essential to be sure that it’s the perfect that it might probably be.
A resume affected by typos, grammatical errors, and other mistakes is unlikely to land you an interview. For this reason proofreading is so vital. Be certain that you just check your resume each on the pc and on paper to catch these errors. There are several ways to get free resume help, including easy things like using Grammarly or asking a friend or profession coach for feedback.
5. Don’t Skip Asking Questions During an Interview
Most candidates assume interviews are only for the corporate to determine in the event that they need to hire you, however it’s also your probability to judge the corporate. You’ll be able to tell so much in regards to the company by how they handle the hiring process, and ought to be researching them as a part of your interview prep.
But after they ask “Do you might have any questions for me?” at the tip of the interview, you’re answer higher be yes.
Only a few people go into interviews prepared to ask the interviewer a listing of their very own questions, and this can be a huge mistake. That is your probability to show the tables and see how the potential employer handles answering your questions. Ask in regards to the company and its goals, in addition to the position that you just’re applying for.
While there are particular questions that it is best to avoid asking, not asking anything makes it seem that you just will not be inquisitive about the job or that you just didn’t prepare for the interview.
6. Don’t Post Inappropriate Content Online
Before they resolve whether or not to provide you that job offer, most hiring managers will look you up online as a part of their background check. Based in your social media presence, they may form a picture of the form of person that you just are, which might influence their decision.
Which means the whole lot that you just post online have to be appropriate for a hiring manager to see. You don’t need to be caught insulting your old horrible boss or bragging about your bad habits. In case you can’t hold back, then it is best to at the least increase your privacy settings.
In case you don’t have already got one, making a LinkedIn profile is a fantastic technique to use social media and networking sites to your advantage. You should use LinkedIn to supply more details in your profession development and skilled accomplishments.
7. Don’t Forget to Follow Up
After an interview, you possibly can’t just sit around and wait for that all-important phone call or email. As an alternative, it’s essential be proactive and show the hiring manager that you just’re genuinely inquisitive about the position that you just applied for.
Considered one of the best ways to do that is to send a follow-up or thanks note, either in person or via email. Even the busiest people on the planet have the time to do that. By thanking the hiring manager for his or her time and reaffirming your interest, you’ll set yourself aside from all of people who didn’t trouble.
Don’t Make Job Searching Any Harder
Job hunting is hard enough because it is, so don’t make it any harder by making these easily avoidable mistakes. Ask for help, put in the trouble, and do your homework – you will probably be starting that recent job before you realize it!
Easy methods to Make an Impressive Resume
Submitting a resume will likely be the primary contact most individuals have with an organization and is their first glimpse of you. By highlighting your marketable qualities, your resume tells potential employers that you just are qualified for the position and provides proof to back that up. Learn the steps to make a formidable resume, that gets you hired.
The Skills Your Resume Needs
With tons of of individuals applying for coveted positions, it might probably feel not possible to face out in a competitive job market. So how are you going to ensure your resume doesn’t wander off within the shuffle? The reply lies in a single word: skills.
From in-demand technical proficiencies to sought-after soft skills, we’ve curated the definitive list of the highest 25 resume skills that employers simply can’t resist.
Amanda Kay, the founding father of My Life, I Guess, provides useful profession advice and support for anyone striving to make a living and, more importantly, make a life. Whether it’s navigating job searches, learning recent skills, overcoming unemployment, or coping with debt, My Life, I Guess has been a go-to resource for profession guidance and financial stability since 2013. Amanda’s expertise and relatable approach have been featured in trusted publications equivalent to MSN, Credit.com, Yahoo! Finance, the Ladders and Fairygodboss.
