Do you commit any of these errors in your job search? You probably make at least one or two, if not more! The fourth in this five-part series will go through some of the most typical errors job seekers make and offer advice on how to avoid them.
- Refusing to ask experts for assistance. Speaking of therapists, career coaches, and resume writers, one typical error job searchers make is attempting to handle everything on their own. You would hire a guide if you wanted to climb Mount Everest. Hire a “career navigator” to assist you while you ascend the mountain of your job search!
- Not Seeking Assistance from Others You voluntarily offer it (if you’re able) when someone asks you for assistance with their job search, don’t you? Why then do we find it so difficult to seek for assistance when we do? People enjoy assisting others. Never hesitate to seek assistance. But be sure you’re requesting the appropriate kind of assistance. If you know of anyone who works for Company XYZ, ask them directly. “How did you land a position at ABC Organization?” Would you be willing to assist me in practicing my interview questions?
- Only applying for jobs that are advertised. According to research, up to 75 percent of job postings never receive a public announcement. Many of these positions are filled by word of mouth and employee recommendations. You may also submit an application to a business for a position that doesn’t even yet exist. Companies do indeed produce jobs. Sometimes they’ll meet a candidate and discover they’re not a good fit for a position they currently have. When that occurs, they may occasionally create a new role that benefits from the candidate’s training and expertise.
- Networking incorrectly. Incorrect use of your network is second only to not utilizing it at all. All the people you know as well as everyone they know are part of your network. Don’t assume that you can’t leverage your network because you don’t personally know someone who works at Company ABC. Consult your network to find out who they know. But keep in mind that networking necessitates connection management and relationship building. Don’t start a conversation with someone you haven’t spoken to in five years with, “Hey, can you help me find a job at your company?” “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty” by author Harvey Mackay is a fantastic book on this.
- Unintentionally Spreading the Word About Your Job Search. If you are currently working, exercise caution when looking for a job. Avoid creating a LinkedIn profile and sending out numerous connection requests to the point where you gain 500 connections in a week. Be deliberate and thoughtful in your employment hunt. In LinkedIn, disable the feature that sends notifications to other users, especially as you complete your profile. Applying to jobs that don’t identify the employer is a bad idea. (That ideal employment you’re seeking for might already be in place!) Additionally, be sure to inform any recruiters you’re collaborating with that you are undertaking a private job search.
