6 Silly Things Job Seekers Do During Their Job Search Journey

I'm guilty of doing a bunch of silly stuff during my job search journey. I did far too many job applications and got into the mindset that I had to apply to every single job. I never followed up with employers either.

I've noticed some strange things people do during their job search journey. I am one of them and you might be one of them as well ?? In this article, you’ll learn what silly things job seekers do during their job search journey that I don't like:

1. They forget to read the job description all the way through

Many job seekers assume that their resume will do the work for them. So instead of having a thorough knowledge of the position, they skim through the job description and start working on their application materials.

It is shocking how many job seekers forget to read the job description all the way through when applying for jobs. In fact, most don't even get past the first sentence and do not understand what the company is looking for. They just look at the requirements section, see that they meet them, and send their application right away — without actually understanding what the job entails on a day-to-day basis.

Job seekers who do not read the job description thoroughly miss out on important information such as:

-???????How to apply for a position that is not advertised

-???????What qualifications are needed - which can help you decide if you should apply for the position or not

-???????What skills are required - which can also help you determine if you should apply for the position or not

-???????Who to contact and how to contact them

-???????The deadline date to apply (which can be very important when applying for jobs)

You'll want to make sure you meet all of the qualifications before you apply for a job. Many times employers will provide a list of what they are looking for at the end of the job description. Read this list carefully and make sure you have all of these key items.

2. They think that writing a resume is a one-time task

One of the biggest mistakes that a job seeker can make is to think that writing a resume is a one-time task. You write it, print it out and send it off. Once that's done, you move on to the next step - sending out multiple copies of your resume to employers. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

The secret to successful job hunting is to make sure your resume is customized and targeted at each position you apply for. A resume should be written to match the job description and requirements. A hiring manager will not look at a resume that does not highlight the key skills and experience they are looking for! When people write their resume, they often make assumptions about what a hiring manager is looking for but this can be risky.

When writing a resume, you should always focus your attention on the people who will review it and tailor it according to their needs. This is also true when applying online as there are many companies using automated systems to review resumes. The system scans the document for keywords and phrases to find out if the candidate is a good fit for the job opening. If you do not include these keywords, the system will not recognize that you meet the qualifications of the job.

3. Not researching the company prior to an interview

This is probably one of the most common mistakes job seekers make. You may know a little bit about this company, but do you really? Have you researched the company? Do you know who their competitors are and what they bring to the market?

What if your interviewer asks, "Who is our biggest competitor?" Will you have an answer or will you be caught off guard?

Not researching the company prior to an interview also includes looking at their website. Do they have a blog? What's on it? Get to know the company and familiarize yourself with it, so you can ask relevant questions and show them that you're genuinely interested in working there.

4. Stop making connections

Making connections is the most important thing you can do to ensure you are visible in your market. If people don't know you exist, how can they help you find a job?

If you are looking for a job, you should be connecting with people every day — or at least every week. There's no better way to find out about new openings and opportunities than to reach out to your network.

Think of it this way: The only person who can help you is a real person! So focus on connecting with people, not just posting your resume online. That's because you never know when something will go wrong with a job or company and you need to start your search all over again.

Don't neglect the existing relationships you've developed over time while cultivating new ones.

5. Think that their online presence doesn't matter.

What does your online presence say about you? Is it the same as your resume? If not, you have some work to do. If you are not sure, google yourself and see what comes up. You may have to add some things to your resume and delete others from your social media sites. Remember, people are doing that already, so why don't you be ahead of the game and do it first?

This is the age of social media, and those who aren't savvy with the tools will be left behind. Employers are increasingly looking at prospective employees' social media profiles and websites to see if they're truly a good fit for their organizations. The old-school way of thinking about a resume as the only representation of us is no longer appropriate or realistic.

Don't expect your potential employer to stay off the Internet during your job search. You need to take control of your online reputation and make sure that it's positive.

Make sure your social media presence reflects who you are as a professional. If you're a financial planner and have a blog, write about personal finance topics rather than politics or sports.

6. Sending a mass email blast to every recruiter in town

Mass emails are a quick and easy way to get your resume into the inboxes of recruiters and hiring managers. However, sending a generic resume to 30 people at once can be a turnoff. You don't have time to customize each resume? Think again!

If you want to make a really bad impression with one of my hiring managers, send him or her an email with two other people in carbon copy. Not only does this show disrespect for your audience's time, it also reveals how little effort went into your outreach. The same goes for mass email blasts sent to multiple recruiters without any personalization whatsoever. If you want to catch someone's eye, you'll need to do more than just fill in their email address on your standard form letter.

Instead, try this: Make a list of companies where you want to work, research each one individually and find out who's hiring in your field and contact those individuals, but do so with a customized message that talks about why you want to work there (and if possible, why you are qualified for the job).

Conclusion: At the end of the day, employers will seek out only the candidates who best meet their needs. The best way to put yourself ahead of your competition is to do thorough research on the position before applying, showcase your relevant experience, and craft an engaging and customized career profile that separates you from the pack. SharedSeed will help you in this ??

By staying professional throughout your search, you'll maximize your chances of getting a call-back with an interview. It could mean the difference between landing a job and having to continue your search.