Seven More Mistakes That Will Cost You the Job

A recent Wall Street Journal article illustrated seven deadly mistakes many job seekers make in their search. That got me thinking — what are some additional blunders you could make that not only make you look bad, but also take you further away from the job of your dreams?

Here are seven more job search blunders that could cost you the position:

1. No online presence

The Internet is the new background check: 94 percent of recruiters either use or plan on using social media in their recruitment efforts, with LinkedIn being the platform of choice. So, if you have no online presence or little activity there, a recruiter may not consider you for the role because there’s nothing to see.

2. Failing to use a career center

Campus career centers not only help you to be a better professional, they also create connections with alumni and business leaders. Without utilizing this resource, you may be missing the key that could kick your job search up a notch.

3. Not customizing your resume

All job descriptions are not created equal. That’s why you need to customize your resume and cover letter, like including industry keywords and specific duties listed in the job description and how your past experience measures up. Recruiters and hiring managers will be able to more easily pick out your resume, especially if they use applicant tracking systems, or software that mines for specific keywords.

4. Avoiding networking

About 80 percent of jobs these days are filled through networking. Whether this means you go to more events or nab a referral while on the job search, knowing someone with an “in” at an organization can greatly improve your chances of getting hired.

5. Zero follow-up

An average of 250 resumes are received for each corporate job opening. So, if you’re not following up with a recruiter or HR manager about the status of your application, you could get lost in a pool of applicants who want the job as much as you do.

6. Poor job search management strategy

You need to manage your job search from end to end. That means tracking your resume, listing who you’ve been in contact with, attending networking events, sending the correct materials and following up. Close management helps you to stay on the right path and more efficiently organize your job search.

7. Not thinking outside the box

Many candidates will apply to jobs using the same methods. It’s your duty to think outside the box, like by creating a video resume, using niche job boards, designing an infographic resume or starting an online campaign. Doing so will help you stand out from other candidates because you become more than just a candidate — you become a candidate to watch.

While we may all have made job search mistakes, it’s important to evaluate them and use alternative methods in your future job search. Doing so will not only make your job search easier, it will also bring you closer to getting hired.

What do you think? What are some other mistakes that may cost you the job?

Image courtesy of hobvias sudoneighm; Flickr