Avoid These Scary Job Hunting Mistakes!
Halloween is here! Along with visions of pumpkins, lots of sugary candy and awesome costumes, you could be scaring others with your job hunting tactics. Now, I’m not talking about applying to too many positions or calling the hiring manager incessantly during your job search. I’m talking about less obvious reasons why you make mistakes.
Don’t be that scary job seeker this Halloween season. Take off the mask and avoid these mistakes to combat a job search fright fest:
1. You don’t do your research
There’s nothing scarier than a candidate who doesn’t do their research on an organization. While a job description may look appealing to you, you have to consider if you’d actually like working there before you send over your resume. From company culture to team size to work environment, there are plenty of aspects of workplace that could make or break your experience there. Ample research during the job search can help you to see how your goals align with the company’s mission and values.
2. You don’t tailor your application materials
Every job is different, meaning the materials you send need to be tailored to each employer individually. It does little good if you just send a generic resume or a cover letter that doesn’t appeal specifically to the organization or even mention how your skills match the role. Instead, check out the job description, implement industry keywords and skills, and state your claim in each and every job application. You’ll have a better shot at being noticed when you properly tailor your search.
3. You only use a few job hunting methods
While checking job boards, scanning a listserv or sending out a resume are beneficial job hunting tactics, sticking to one tactic alone can hinder your search. As an alternative, use as many job hunting methods as possible. For example, check out your career center, use social media, latch on to those referrals or use niche job hunting sites. This will widen your scope and open up your job search to a variety of different outlets.
4. You don’t follow directions
If an application says to send a Word document, don’t send a PDF. If the listing says no phone calls, don’t pick up the phone each day. If the organization wants you to include one portfolio example with your resume, don’t send five. It’s important to follow application directions properly in your job search. Failing to follow the rules not only thwarts your chances, it may also frustrate hiring managers. Don’t get on their bad side!
5. You don’t follow up
When you find the job that’s a diamond in the rough, you need to do everything you can to make sure you get it. Apart from sending your resume and including work samples, following up on your application is key. While you may really want this job, other people want it as well. Following up with an employer allows you to bring your name back to the forefront of the discussion and opens up the communication process.
Don’t be a scary job seeker! Avoid these common job search mistakes to have a better experience and an even better job offer.
What do you think? What are some other scary job hunting mistakes?
Photo courtesy of Victor Bezrukov: Flickr
