17 Sep 08 Avoid these Job Search Mistakes
To find something, you have to start by looking, and that process can be applied to landing yourself some employment. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they can’t get a job, but the truth is, these people don’t actively go looking for one. Mass communication and the technological world we live in can make job seeking easier, but there are still some basic rules to apply when you’re determined to find employment.
The most common and preventable mistake in the great job hunt is limiting one’s search to a single source, such as the employment section of a single newspaper or a single job search website. It can be hard to keep track of all the places you have applied to, but if you take notes from the start, you should be able to keep track of where you’ve sent your application, no matter how many sources you’re searching.
While job listings, whether in a newspaper’s employment section or an internet job site (preferably more than one of each), are both great places to look for work, never underestimate the power of networking in helping you find a job. Friends, former coworkers, and even previous employers can all give you a lead on a job that’s open, if you’ve remained on good terms with them and ask politely. The easiest way to start networking is to expand the horizons of your search. If you don’t have the time to do an in-depth search, make the time – the efforts will pay off.
Looking for a job can sometimes be a long process, and you may find yourself feeling discouraged or wondering if you ever will be employed again. Of course you will, but if you give up on your job search, you definitely won’t find that perfect employment. Keep yourself motivated to stick with your search, using whatever means it takes. Guilt, applied to you, can be an excellent motivator, though not always comfortable to maintain. Another method of making sure you keep looking for a job even when things become difficult is to reward yourself. The point is to find a way to make yourself continue to look for employment, especially when you feel like giving in to despair.
In a similar vein, there’s no such thing as a job search where you aren’t actively searching. Though it can sometimes seem like an easy, hassle-free process, particularly with the advent of the online job search, the process of finding employment is something you have to commit yourself to and never trust that a job will simply fall into your lap. You have to go out there and find opportunities rather than wait for them to find you, though if you are lucky enough to have that sort of luck come your way, seize the chance.
The last thing to make sure you do during your search for employment is to research your field of profession thoroughly and take an in-depth look at companies you apply to. You may find that the industry you want to work in is saturated in your region, which will tell you to find a different spin on what you can do and expand your horizons, or you may find that an attractive company really isn’t that pretty, once you find out their history. To be successful in your search for employment, be persistent and knowledgeable, always on the lookout for information that will help you land that perfect job.
29 Aug 08 Avoid these Job Application Mistakes
As fallible humans, we’re all entitled to make the occasional mistake. However, given that you’re reading this, it’s probably a safe assumption that you don’t want to make any errors while applying for a job. Though fear of failure can overwhelm you, it’s a better idea to keep an eye on yourself to avoid a major faux-pas that will sabotage your chances of success.
The first and most damning mistake a job seeker can make is to assume that simply applying for the position will be enough to get an employer’s attention. These days, mass communication means that any job has a large number of applicants applying. Some employers even find themselves in the unenviable position of having to distinguish real applicants from applicants who are applying for the job in order to fulfill a requirement of a welfare program.
Knowing that there’s an arduous screening process involved in filling an open position, you should always contact your potential employer via telephone, email, or if possible, in person, asking a simple question, such as whether your application was filled out correctly or if your resume was received, to show that you’re interested in the job. One call, visit, or email should be enough to show that you truly do want to fill the position available.
A major mistake some people make is either lying about or covering up parts of your resume that may not leave a good impression. Phrasing can certainly be important in saving face, but lying or denying any shortcomings on your resume can be fatal to your chances of success. If your embarrassments in your prior work history must be addressed, try to put a positive spin on them, or at least make sure that you don’t put a negative spin on past bad relations. Try to discuss past situations neutrally without sounding like you’re trying to gloss over shameful secrets – employers have a sixth sense about denial.
A mistake that’s almost as bad as lying on your resume is hard-to-decipher buzzwords to highlight good points of the resume. Unless a buzzword is part of a title, it’s best to find a more traditional way of phrasing your strengths. The opposite extreme of using hip, trendy words is sounding too dull and legalistic, which is something else to avoid when applying for a job. These same rules apply to cover letters as well. Ease of reading and professionalism can be hard to balance, but it’s very possible, so strive to achieve that tone. It never hurts to be just a little friendly (but still professional) in your choice of words for a resume or cover letter. Slang and buzzwords are mistakes, but the right tone will go a long way.
As might be expected, there are many other mistakes you can make when trying to land a job, which can be more or less grievous than the ones listed here. For example, never eat during an interview and don’t chew gum while speaking to a potential employer. Researching the mistakes not to make when looking for a job is easy – search on the internet to find a more complete list. Learn what not to do well, as the knowledge will serve any prospective job seeker.
