The worst job search mistakes you are making
Hannah Williams
Certified Resume Writer ● Career Coach ● Executive Resume Writer ● CPRW ● Top 100 Executive Resume Writer ● C-suite LinkedIn Optimization Expert
Searching for the perfect opportunity is never easy, especially when you have to take care of multiple job-searching tasks a day. It does not matter whether you dedicate just one hour a day to your job search or several hours. If you are making obvious job-searching mistakes, you will have to watch from the sidelines for a long, long time.
Job search mistakes vary from not organizing your job applications, to sending out generic resumes and cover letters. Since more than 75% of job seekers tend to get rejected by hiring managers, we thought of asking our career experts about what you must avoid when you are on a job search. Without further delay, let’s dive right in:
Sending out generic resumes
Do you have the habit of applying for every single job with the same resume? Then, you may appear as an unqualified candidate for most of the positions. The reason you are not hearing back from hiring managers is because your job application is not aligning with their requirements. You will observe much better results when you swap your generic resumes for tailored resumes.
Applying for the wrong jobs
There is no rule which states that you must apply for every available job when you are on a job search. It is more important to focus on the quality of the jobs for which you are applying rather than the quantity. Ensure that the jobs you select are relevant to your target job title, within a desired industry, and align with your career goals. If you apply for jobs that are above your skill level, you run the risk of getting rejected because you are underqualified.
Not using your professional network
The job search is not a battle that you must fight alone. You can get the help and support of your professional network for your job search to make your venture much faster. Networking is an absolutely crucial part of the job search that many job seekers simply forget about. Your professional network can act as your references, provide referrals, arrange informational interviews, and introduce you to hiring managers and recruiters. Connect with them and let them know about your job search goals.
Forgetting about your online presence
Hiring decisions are no longer made based on your resume alone. Many hiring managers scope you out online before they proceed to the next step of the hiring process. If you want to stand out in their memory, you must ensure that you have a strong online presence when you apply for a job. We recommend adding the following links to your resume so that it is easier for recruiters to find you online:
Ignoring soft skills
Your job application does not become stronger because you ignore the soft skills on your resume. In fact, your resume must showcase a good balance of soft and hard skills to qualify for most positions. Make a habit of following the job description while creating your resume so that you include the necessary soft skills. Here are some soft skills that are useful for any resume: