The biggest mistakes job seekers make and how to avoid them

I've just read a very depressing article talking about the thousands of layoffs that are taking place at places like Amazon, EY, Meta & elsewhere. It's a gloomy picture.

However, as I pointed out in my recent "That was the week... " newsletter, there are jobs to be had. It might be patchy but there are pockets of growth. and employers with sound businesses or solid business propositions are being thoughtful and deliberate about where to recruit and the people they want to fill those positions.

If you're in the market for a job, then you too need to be thoughtful and deliberate about how to go about your search. It's a job getting a job.

At the Reignite Academy our focus is primarily women who have had "non-linear" careers or who are returning after career breaks. For what it's worth, here is my take on the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Expecting someone else to dream up your ideal role

"I was a corporate lawyer, worked on big transactions, the training was fabulous, really enjoyed the work .... but I can't go back to that now as it wouldn't fit with my lifestyle" for example.

The implication being that the recruiter (us) will be creative, imaginative and will scurry away and find a role that will deploy the skills this person acquired but in a totally different way.

We try, believe me, but we are rarely successful unless the candidate has put in the ground work themselves. What are your strengths, what do you know, what skills do you have, where is your interest, how do they all combine and, importantly, will anyone pay you to do that.

Mistake #2: Not understanding the market you're playing in

So, you've worked out that you want a role that can be done 4 days a week, with two of those being from home and where you can switch off at weekends and in the evening.

That's absolutely fine and those roles do exist. They pay a lot less than roles where you're expected to work 24/7 and be on call 100% of the time. Sure, you may have trained and worked with bankers, for example, who now command upwards to ￡180k per year but you are not in that market.

Markets run on supply and demand. Understand what market you're competing in and the roles and salaries on offer there.

Mistake #3. Treating your CV like a life story

Your CV is NOT your life story. It IS a sales document, the purpose of which is to get you an interview. You have to tailor your CV every time you apply for a job. And at the top of your CV the professional summary has to contain a compelling paragraph that illustrates why you're perfect for the job.

How to tailor it? Look at the job description and make sure you highlight all your relevant experience, for a start.

Mistake #4 Expecting the recruiters to take time with your CV and Cover note

You need that summary paragraph because you can't expect the recruiter to read three pages and work it out for themselves. A number of years ago a study by The Ladders using eye tracking software found that it took, on average, 7.4 seconds for a recruiter to scan a CV to establish whether it was worth giving a second look. I quote

"The?study?found that recruiters look at your current title and company on your resume then your previous one before moving to the right to see the dates of your jobs to make sure you have made a steady progression. Then they flip their eyes to the bottom to look at education requirements. It truly only takes a few seconds for them to sum you up".

The cover note? Don't just repeat bits of your CV. Focus on the future, why are you so keen to get this job, why do you think you're a perfect fit, what excites you about it.

Mistake #5 Introducing the elephant before you get in the room

I will repeat myself. The job of the CV and the covering letter is to get you an interview. They need to convince the hiring manager that it's worth bringing you in to meet in person.

If you had a career break or non-linear career, it's highly tempting to use some of the space to explain that and, perhaps, to go on to talk about how your children are older and childcare it not so problematic and and and .... My advice would be to keep it very short and simple. It's fine to say "planned career break" and leave it at that.

Mistake #6 Snubbing LinkedIn

Not smart. LinkedIn is the most commonly used B2B social media platform. It's where employers hang out, post jobs, share knowledge and information and look for new employees. The platform is an easy way for you to connect with old colleagues, brush up your knowledge and get handy hints when you're stuck with how to describe your experience.

If you're serious about finding a job you need to be serious about your LinkedIn presence and activity. More here.

7 Ways to Use LinkedIn to find your next job

Mistake #7 Not having a plan

I come across many candidates who tell me they've applied for no-end of jobs, usually advertised on jobs boards, and got precisely nowhere. I'm not often surprised. It's a proven fact that you're 5 times more likely to find a new role through a connection than through a job ad.

Your search for a job should not consist of whacking out your CV to every open position or firm that interests you. Instead, you need to carefully map out a plan with target companies, find connections in those organizations and then begin to look for opportunities in those organisations that might suit you.

Spend time with people who may be able to make introductions for you, or make an opening for you with someone else who might be able to help. Prepare to drink a lot of coffee.