Five Things To Avoid In The Job Hunt

Moving jobs is a major step and should never be taken lightly. It is one of the most important decisions you can take in your life, so you need to make sure you get it spot on.

If you do decide that the time has come to look for another job then I would strongly urge you to sit down and draw up a clear strategy.Something like this should not be done off the cuff and there are certain things that you absolutely want to avoid.

Here are some common mistakes that people make.

Moving for the wrong reasons

The very first thing you need to do is think about the reasons why you are looking to move on. Some people tend to move out of a fit of pique or because they make the assumption that the grass is going to be greener elsewhere. I would always advise people to move for the right reason – primarily because it is going to move your career in the right direction. If your next move isn't going to see you progress, then you have to ask yourself whether it’s worth it?

Being overconfident and underprepared

However good your CV might be, you are never too skilled to do the basics of a job search. Spend as much time as possible researching potential companies and tailor your CV to them. You may have worked for a huge global corporation, but if the skills you display on your CV are not relevant to the job you are now applying for, the hiring manager won’t care. The same rule applies to interviews – almost every answer you give should be focused on the value you can add to that specific company. Simply telling the interviewer about what you have achieved in the past is irrelevant, and also makes you seem boastful. Remember you are trying to sell yourself so the last thing you want to do is send out the wrong message.

Losing focus

I would strongly recommend people to avoid the scattergun approach at all costs. In other words, you must stay focused on the right kind of jobs and on companies that suit you, rather than applying for anything that happens to catch your eye. Even if you are looking to move sooner rather than later, always think of the bigger picture. Would you rather spend an extra couple of months on the job search and find the perfect fit, or move to a new company next week but quickly realise it isn't right for you?

Not networking

Remember that a large proportion of jobs simply aren’t advertised, while there are also several companies, such as mine, who create roles for talented people. The only way you will find out about these opportunities, or put yourself in front of these companies, is by making the effort to get yourself out there. Make use of sites such as LinkedIn, but also attend relevant industry events and connect with key people. Not everybody is comfortable in these situations, and I have written a blog previously with some tips for networking. At the end of the day however, practice makes perfect – and this is one skill that you have to master.

Losing commitment

We are living in an increasingly competitive environment and you have to remain completely committed to the process from start to finish. If you do lose your commitment and enthusiasm then potential employers are bound to pick up on your negative attitude. Tell-tale signs are, for example, cover letters that look like they’ve been copy and pasted from another application with no detail about the company you are applying for. Enthusiasm for a job will only shine through if your mindset is correct throughout the process – you can’t just turn it on and off like a tap.

Image: TabTimes

For more tips and advice to boost your career, check out my book Get The Job You Really Want