By: Guest blogger: Dustin Williams
Feel like your job search is going nowhere? That no matter how many resumes you submit or interviews you go on a job always seems just out of reach? Check out these common mistakes to avoid:
1. Failing to network: More people get jobs from networking than any other job search strategy. It is an employer’s market and networking is king.
2. Becoming a couch potato: Wallowing in self-pity only works for poets. Get out and mix it up! Join associations related to your career field, hobnob with people already working, just get involved!
3. Not calling after submitting applications: Sitting eagerly by the phone waiting for an employer to call is pointless if you haven’t already contacted them. Be proactive and call then!
4. Ignoring social media: Linkedin.com, Facebook, and Twitter are becoming more and more the norm for finding work. These sites aren’t the end all be all, but they carry heavy job search mojo. Use em!
5. Applying for every job under the sun: In our society more is better, and that should work with submitting resumes right? Wrong. Being focused in a job search avoids spinning wheels and wasting time.
6. Expecting your job search to be easy: Looking for a job is a full time job and spending time wishing for something that isn’t is a sure recipe for unhappiness.
7. Using a less than professional email: Email addresses like: OneHotMama@getaclue.com or StudMuffin@notachance.com while cute and funny with friend are job search suicide. Keep it professional.
8. Having mistakes on a resume: A sure method to get your resume filed under “T” for trash.
9. Not researching a company before an interview: Going in blind only works for surgeons. Oh wait, it doesn’t work for them either. Know what you are getting into before you start the interview.
10. Prep for an interview. In this economy a job seeker may only get one shot at their dream job, so make it count and be being ready.
11. Trying the same stuff and expecting different results: Besides an alternative definition for insanity, this little piece of wisdom will guarantee to make a job search harder, more frustrating, and just plain crazy.
12. Not sending a thank you card after an interview: A little piece of civility in an otherwise rude world makes a strong impression on an employer. In a good way.
13. Putting faith in job search engines only: Use job search engines to find a job but then try and get on the companies website for the most current info.
14. Staying busy: Gaps on a resume aren’t instant death, but they aren’t great either. Keeping a hand in something shows motivation and determination to employers.
15. Be strong: Don’t throw in the towel, no matter how tempting. Still against the wall? Then it might be time to see a professional career counselor.
