10 Job Search Mistakes You Should Avoid

It's a competitive talent market out there.?Even a small mistake can cost you your dream job.

In this article, I will share 10 typical mistakes job seekers commit which you shouldn't repeat in your job search so that you get your dream job faster.

Mistake #1: Relying only on online job portals

Most job seekers spend all their time on online job portals. On the other hand, recruiters fill 70% of the positions through referrals and networks. As a result, job seekers do not even see most of the opportunities. The time wasted would rather be spent on other ways of job search.

Mistake #2: Weak Resume

Most job seekers do not spend enough time making their resumes stronger. Their resume does not excite the recruiter with ‘what they bring to the table’. The resumes do not have the right keywords appropriate for the job position so get easily screened out by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or a human recruiter.

Mistake 3: Blindingly Sending Unsolicited Resumes

Blindly sending a generic resume to everyone and every job posting doesn't produce any result. Most of this effort goes to waste as your resume does not even reach a human recruiter. You might feel satisfied by the fact that you are doing a lot of effort but it will all go to waste.

Mistake 4: Ineffective Networking

Most professionals think networking means sending resumes to everyone they know. networking is exactly the opposite. A good networker asks questions and gets valuable information about the job market, company expectations, industry trends etc. 70% of positions are filled by referrals so networking should be your top priority in terms of time you spend for the job search.

Mistake 5: No online presence

Indians constitute the second-largest LinkedIn users after Americans. But, most Indian professionals have incomplete profiles, are not active on the platform and do not use its full power. Recruiters use online presence to vet the candidates even before they call them for the interviews.

Mistake 6: Leaving Yourself Open to Many Kinds of Jobs

Job seekers get tempted by the ocean of job opportunities they see and start applying to all types of positions. Even before you start your job search, you should be clear about what type of role, position, company you would like to work for and then go deep to search for many opportunities.

Mistake 7: Being Unplanned in Your Search

Job search is a job in itself. It needs a planned approach, dedicated time in the daily schedule and a step-by-step process. Otherwise, the job search turns out to be a long and frustrating journey.

Mistake 8: Doing It Alone

You should be good at asking for guidance from industry professionals and career coaches. Industry professionals give valuable information about the market. Career Chaoches give objective guidance and a planned approach. As a career coach, I give my students a step-by-step process called 'Champions Job Search Blueprint' which my students just follow on their path to the dream job.

Mistake 9: Not Preparing Well Enough for Job Interviews

Candidates either go casual or all stressed out for the interview. Then they complain they could not bring out their best during that interview time. You should be completely prepared for the interviews with the right mindset and help the interviewer understand how your value matches with their requirements.

Mistake 10: Settling For The First Job Offer

Getting one opportunity after a lot of grind is a great thing. But it doesn't mean that you should settle for the first opportunity you get. If it's matching with your expectations, you like the company and the compensation then by all means. If you have been unemployed for a long time then you can get back into the game with the first job you get. Otherwise, if you join the wrong job, you might leave it soon and you will be in job hunting mode all over again.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know in the comments. I always like to personally interact with fellow professionals.

P.S. I have collated the 8 expert tips for job search in an ebook. You can?download the Free Ebook here.

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