Mistakes happen, but for job seekers it can make a difference between landing on your dream job and staying unemployed (and maybe even unhappy). Job search is not an easy task, there are a lot of ways you could go wrong during your job search. Today, we’ve gathered some common mistakes job seekers make so you can avoid them in the future!
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Sending an overly-long resume
Keep your resume to one page is probably the first and simplest job search tip you’ve heard. Yet it never gets old. Your past work experience may be extraordinary and you want to share it with everyone, but it’s important to keep your resume brief and precise.
The hiring manager may not throw out anything that goes beyond one page, but the second or third page of your resume is for sure not making the first impression any better. In most cases, the recruiter would’ve acquired all the information they needed by the end of page one. Information included on the second page usually will NOT make a meaningful difference in how they view you as a candidate.
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Focusing on responsibilities but not achievements
Many job seekers consider the standard format of describing previous work experiences as a list a series of “responsible for” bullet points. While you definitely need to outline the scope of your job responsibilities, your also need to highlight your successes at the same time. You want to be perceived as an achiever, not just a doer. List all the success you’ve achieved from your past professional experiences will greatly increase your chance of landing a new job!
Using active words to start each bullet point on your resume while describing how you achieved certain results. Trust me, “Increased sales by 30 percent as a result of implementing new marketing plans” will get you at least 5 times more interviews than simply saying “responsibilities include the implementation of new marketing plans.”
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Search without a plan
If you’re sending out resumes without knowing what your ideal job is, you’re wasting your valuable time. Before you start mass-sending applications, be sure to take the time to define what type of jobs you’re looking for.
A well-planned search strategy, daily time slot contributed to your search, a space where you can focus, a record to track jobs you’ve applied for, and a system to measure your progress are the 5 secrets to an effective job-search plan. A delicately planed job search will result in more goal-oriented resume and cover letter to help increase your chance.
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Not knowing your market value
Is this job good enough for your? What kind of salary should you expect? After discovering suitable positions for yourself, you should start measuring your own market value. You must research and assess your value in the job market, so you’ll have a realistic expectation and be able to negotiate effectively. Never disclose your salary requirements – always get the employer to name the salary or range first. The key to a successful negotiation is not to disclose your offer until your opponent did.
However, do not take the initiative to bring up the discussion of salary even if you already have an educated expectation. You should be humble during interviews and also on the job since you have a lot to learn from this new position. The time to talk money is when the employer has made it clear that you are their top candidate, and after they make an offer.
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Forgetting to follow up
Another common mistake many job seekers make is not following up with the employer after an interview. If you walk out of their office after the interview and never contact them again, who do you think they’ll recall when picking out the best candidate? The applicant who wrote a polite follow up email? Or the ones who lost touch since the first meeting?
To make sure you remain on the employer’s mind, sending a follow up e-mail to express your respect and gratitude is very important. This is also a good chance to summarize your skills, reiterate your eagerness to be hired, and showcase how perfect you are for the job.
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