Are you worried about losing your job in a recession? Do you have a new supervisor with whom you don’t get along? Perhaps you’re thinking about switching companies in hopes of seeing a boost in your earnings.
Whatever the reason, you’ve decided it’s time you look for a new job.
But to be successful at job hunting, you’ll need to ensure you have all the right skills to land a high-growth position. This means that not only do you need to make a great first impression at an interview, but you also need to steer clear of the top job hunting missteps that many candidates fall victim to.
Mistakes to avoid
In the interest of making sure you delight – not irritate – your potential employers, we’ve compiled a list of the most common job hunting mistakes that keep people from getting hired. In addition, we’ve also shared a few tips on how to effectively address these mistakes and stand out among a sea of talented candidates.
1. Not tailoring your resume to the position
Every vacancy is different, so don’t try to save time using the same cover letter and resume for each position you apply to. Not only will this mistake reduce your chances of being considered by the recruiter, but the lack of relevant experience will be apparent to whoever reviews your submission.
Instead, edit your resume to include your best qualifications related to the vacancy you’re applying for. A good way to determine if you have the necessary skills for a position is to thoroughly read over the job descriptions and compare it to the information present on your resume.
If you can show companies that you’re an ideal candidate for the job, you’ll up your chances of landing an interview.
2. Leaving your social media profiles as-is
Recruiters tend to look at social media profiles when they’re in hiring mode. It’s, therefore, essential to make sure yours are clean and professional, not full of wacky images and information you wouldn’t want the hiring manager to see.
This means sprucing up not only your professional profile on LinkedIn but also your personal social media accounts. Don’t assume the built-in privacy of those networks will save you. The best way to make a solid impression is to remove anything you’ll regret down the road.
3. Assuming your skills speak for themselves
Sure, your resume looks like a million bucks. But, remember, so do all of the other resumes submitted to the hiring manager. And, in these cutthroat times, there are going to be a lot of other submissions. Assuming you won’t need to sell yourself to a recruiter is one of the biggest job hunting mistakes you could make because if you don’t, nobody else will.
To prevent this from happening, be prepared to sell your skill set and abilities within your interviews, backed with references. Go armed with examples of what you can bring to the business, and be ready to back up your ideas with specific evidence of how you have improved other companies that you have worked for in the past.
Did you save your company $5,000 by streamlining administrative processes? Or bring in 30 new clients per month? All of these quantifiable successes resonate with potential employers.
4. Limiting networking to job fairs
Of course, you can take your cover letter and resume to networking exhibitions and job fairs. But if these are the only places where you focus on networking, you’re likely missing out on a plethora of opportunities. For instance, have you ever thought about contacting the last company you had applied to?
Even if you don’t want to apply for the same position, the hiring manager at that firm may be able to inform you about new roles. Also, if they switch organizations, they may call you when they’re building a team from scratch. Keep in touch with potential recruiters to let them know that you’re always interested in learning about new opportunities.
5. Ignoring the power of employment agencies
In an era where everything is based on the web, it’s almost incomprehensible to job seekers that not all positions are posted on the internet. But this is a reality for many companies. There are a multitude of reasons why some firms don’t list vacancies online, and if you only search on the net, you’ll never get to know about these opportunities.
That’s where employment recruiters come into the picture. Often, they know of open positions that aren’t listed on job websites. You can find placement agencies for almost any industry. In addition, you can also find various types of roles within the database of nearly every staffing firm. Positions range from part-time roles (as little as a couple of days) to long-term positions. Working with a placement firm, therefore, is a great way to save time and get yourself in front of employers who you may not be able to reach otherwise.
PrincePerelson specializes in helping job seekers find the right position, whether it’s for temporary, direct hire, temp-to-hire, or seasonal roles. We go beyond the conventional screening process and get to know your aspirations, ambitions, and personality so we can match you with the right jobs.
With over two decades of experience in the recruiting space, we have a long-standing reputation and deep connections in various industries. This gives us access to confidential vacancies. Employers also trust us to connect them with the best candidates for the position. This helps you find more than just an employer – it enables you to gain a fulfilling career.
To learn more about how we can help you find the right job, read why PrincePerelson is the ideal job search partner, and look at available jobs to get started.