Mistakes are a part of whatever we do but, the beauty lies in identifying the mistakes and improving accordingly. Job search being a very tedious task needs careful consideration. Most of the job applicants are seen performing minor to major mistakes in their job search process.
A lot of people make mistakes during the job search process, be it the size of your font or the way you address your email, cover letter to the Hiring Manager. It is important to remember that every small detail matters.
Mistakes in job search are often the result of lack of proper understanding and research regarding effective job search methods. A clear understanding regarding the methods can significantly help in making your search process more fruitful. The way you plan your job search and the process you adopt is a step forward towards reaching your dream job. Here are some tips and tricks which will help you in avoiding all the major mistakes in the job search process.
1. Lack of Planning
Completed your degree and excited about getting a job? Looking for a satisfying job is more than just applying for random job vacancies. In the first step, you need to plan and identify what type of work you are looking for, what type of job will be a good fit with your qualifications, what is the prevailing salary range for someone with your experience and qualification level? These things need to be considered and analyzed before you start applying for jobs.
Some people have the mindset that sending in applications for more jobs will increase the possibility of getting a job, hence irrespective of the relevance some apply for almost all job vacancies. But, remember that applying for random jobs will lead you to nowhere and you might land up with the wrong job. So, it is very important to give some thought and plan very carefully before applying for a job.
2. Not Updating Resume
People usually do not give enough time to update their resume. Due to this, recruiter can misinterpret one’s potential. Use of outdated resumes can most of the times minimize your opportunity to even be shortlisted.
Never forget to update the contents of your resume if there are additions to your qualification, job responsibility and any other details that matter. While updating, keep in mind the job requirement and tailor your resume accordingly.
3. Using Generic Cover Letter
Using a generic cover letter will send a message that you have not read the job vacancy properly. Your cover letter needs to be customized according to the job description mentioned in the vacancy announcement. Using the same cover letter for every job might create a problem for recruiters to find a match between your skill set and job requirements.
Use your cover letter to show that your qualification, skills and experiences matches what the hiring organisation is looking for.
4. Relying only on Online Job Sites
Advancement in technology and increase use of the internet has definitely made access to various information easy and on your finger tips. Job seekers can find various job vacancies all over the world with just a few clicks. This has also enabled job seekers to focus more on job vacancies that are available on job sites or social media networks.
Jobseekers need to go beyond these tools to keep updated with various opportunities that might be the right fit for them. So, apart from online sources, you also need to follow newspapers, company career pages, business magazines, etc. while searching for jobs.
5. Lack of Company & Position Research
Applying for jobs is not just about getting a job and being paid for it. You need to know what the company does, what are the tasks to be performed in that position etc. Having knowledge regarding these matters will definitely help you in better understanding of the company and will also contribute to the success of your job interview.
People have a general tendency of preparing for job interviews focusing only on their qualification and job roles performed in the past. This usually leads to an undesired session, both for the recruiter as well as the candidate. To avoid this situation job seekers need to have a clear understanding of the company and its functions.
6. Not Following Up
Following up with the company where you have applied for the job is very important. There are times when you do not get any response for an extended period of time even after you have applied for a job. In this case, do not hesitate to call the company or send an email inquiring about your application status. This will reflect your interest in the given job position.
Most of the time, people focus only on the interview preparation and do not acknowledge the recruiter for the time taken to ensure the job seeker gets a chance to meet them. Besides evaluation of one’s qualification and experience, this aspect of one’s personality also plays an equally important role in securing the job. Hence, always make a habit of leaving on a appreciated note at the end of the interview.
7. Not Cleaning Social Media Profiles
Recruiters today have started referring to a candidate’s social profiles such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. They rely on these sites to form a judgement on your personality whether it be personal or professional. Recruiters are interested to know more about your networks, followings, etc.
To give the recruiter a positive image of oneself, update your social profiles and network to industry related pages, groups, events and people. Make sure that you have your full name for your social media profile and remove posts that might send a negative impression about you.
To make your job search process more effective and positive, avoid all the mistakes discussed above. Besides the qualifications you possess, this will definitely assist you in being ahead of your competition i.e other job seekers and compel the recruiter to give you an opportunity to prove yourself.
GOOD LUCK.