Five Common Job Search Mistakes
By Jessie Richardson
Winter 2008-09
Every job search is an uncharted journey, and it is easy to take a wrong turn. So how can you succeed where others have failed? Consider these five common mistakes job seekers make – each with the potential to derail your career search.
1. Neglecting to network. If your job search plan consists of plastering your resume on every job board out there and waiting for the calls to roll in, you may be waiting a long time. Networking is one of the most successful yet commonly overlooked methods of finding a job. More than 50 percent of all jobs are found by networking, and it’s easier than it sounds. Friends, family, neighbors, college alumni, former co-workers… anyone who might help generate job leads is a potential contact.
Get in touch with everyone you know. Establish a daily quota, then pick up the phone and call. Ask for leads directly or try a less formal approach by asking for advice. Attend job fairs and business socials, visit discussion boards, and check out professional associations. Network with career professionals and other job seekers, build your online identity, link up with recruiters, and join online business and social networks such as LinkedIn and Plaxo. Contact the career services office or alumni group at your
Sanitize your personal website and online profile. Establish a professional-looking e-mail address (no hotstuff1000@iamsilly.com). Ditch the ring tone before embarking on a networking quest. And remember, if you decide to post your resume on job boards – and you should – refresh it at least every two weeks.
2. Lack of an accomplishments-driven resume. You will need a polished, accomplishments-driven resume to make sure you stand out from the competition. One of the most common resume mistakes is the use of the antiquated objective statement.
Create a resume showcase to grab the reader’s attention, then clearly and concisely discuss the lasting impact you have made at organizations throughout your employment history. For companies looking for the best candidate to fill an opening, the best predictor of future performance is past performance.
3. Failure to research. If networking and a polished, accomplishments-driven resume land you an interview, prepare for it by thoroughly researching the company. Hiring managers frequently ask candidates what they know about the company’s history, mission, customers, competitors and vision for the future – and many candidates fall flat on their faces.
You don’t have to be an expert on the company’s quarterly sales of widget X in the
4. Bad-mouthing a former employer. When asked about the motivation behind your search, whether through a networking connection or an actual job interview, never bad-mouth the military or your previous employers. The straightforward talk that is both the envy and the curse of many military-trained leaders can trip up job seekers.
Discussing organizational faults and slighting bosses and colleagues, no matter how despicable you perceive them, will not cast you in a better light. In fact, it may solicit a “bad-mouth thee, bad-mouth me” reaction and call into question your ability to get along with others. Instead, flip the question by citing knowledge gained from your experience and how you hope to use and build upon it as you continue to grow and pursue additional challenges.
5. Playing the “wait and see” game. Finally, be proactive. Job seekers often fail to follow up. Keep a journal of contacts, job leads, job fair interactions, meetings and interviews. Jot down notes following networking conversations and interviews – who did you talk to and what did you talk about? Track your resume – who has it, and have you heard from them within the last two weeks? If not, give them a call.
Anyone that gives you 10 or more minutes of their time, either in a formal interview or at a job fair, deserves a prompt and formal thank-you card. Plain thank-you cards are available for purchase in bulk at most value-mart stores. Thank interviewers for their time and briefly reiterate what you offer. Networking contacts should at least receive a follow-up, thank-you e-mail.
Career changes can prove daunting. But you have the opportunity to learn and prosper from the mistakes of others. Take this advice to heart and move forward in your job search with the confidence it takes to land your dream job!
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Jessie Richardson is director of resume services at MilitaryResumes.com, which offers career advice and resume services for military-to-civilian transitions. She may be reached at jrichardson@MilitaryResumes.com.
