Did you know that each job listing posted gets 250 applications on the average? And out of the 250 job seekers, only 4-6 will land an interview, and of course, only one applicant successfully gets the job. If this tells us one thing, it is the fact that job seeking is a competitive game.
In this modern-day age, with the plethora of resources available when it comes to career development, which everyone can take advantage of, it can be considered a mortal sin to still keep on making the same job-seeking mistakes over and over.
If you are serious about landing that dream job of yours, you need to be thorough and analytical when you go through the job hiring process. That fact alone is a responsibility in itself that requires precision and avoid making blunders. Here are 5 crucial mistakes that you do not want to make when looking for a job.
Quantity of Quality
It’s understandable that you might want to send out as many resumes as you can to bring up your chances of landing a job but sending a generic resume to each company is a big no-no. It does not matter if you are shooting shots for similar job titles in these different companies, each organization has requirements that are unique from the others. Remember that you’re up against a handful of people sending out their resumes too.
If you still want to send multiple applications at once, take the time to check the qualifications for each job posting and tailor your resume accordingly before sending them. There are resume professional writers who can help you produce tailored and professionally crafted resumes.
Underestimating the Power of Connections
It is perfectly normal to bank on your own skills when you are seeking for a job position, what many do not understand is that connections can be powerful when it comes to opening career opportunities.
Unknown to many, if you were referred by someone you know in the organization, you have a much higher chance of getting hired, and possibly, a better starting pay grade.
Take the time to build your network. This also includes connecting with people and leaders from the same industry. If you have not done this already, create an account and learn how to add resume on LinkedIn. LinkedIn, now a popular platform for job seekers and businesses has a great recruiting tool that is used by hiring professionals daily, so it pays to be active on this site.
Aside from building offline connections, investing a few minutes of your time each week to build your professional online presence is beneficial not only when it comes to job referrals but more importantly, you can gain professional insights and learn best practices from these people.
Winging It
One basic element of a job application is preparation. The most crucial part of preparing is learning as much as you can about the organization where you are applying to. A common job seeker’s mistake is not knowing how to position their personal brand, skills, and qualifications with those of the company’s mission and core values. And when that’s not met, there’s a huge chance you won’t get that job position.
Learning about the company’s mission and vision in advance can help you put your best foot forward on the resume and during the interview. Once you are familiar with the organizational tenets, you will be able to strategically highlight how you can use your skills and abilities to help the company move closer to its mission.
Leaving job applications to pure luck usually does not get you anywhere. Definitely not in the competitive world of job search. Always bear in mind that you can be up against industry leaders who have been in similar job positions for years, so make sure you are fully prepared in all aspects prior to sending out that resume.
Contrasting Personalities
Did you know that employers pass up on candidates due to the contents of their social media sites? We are talking about the persona you are trying to project on your resume or during the interview and those of your social media posts.
If you think hiring professionals do not look at your Facebook and Instagram profiles, you are wrong. If they see that an applicant’s social media profile contains posts that do not seem to be aligned with their company mission, vision, and core values, they can send your application to the bin.
According to a study, employers admit checking applicant’s personal profiles and a whopping 54% admitted they have decided not to hire someone in the past due to what was on their social media account.
Giving Up Too Soon
The truth of the matter is that it takes an average of five months for job seekers to finally get hired. Within those five months, they go through the often difficult and sometimes seemingly endless cycle of failed interviews, resume revisions, company research, and tiring commute. It can get frustrating.
It is true that the path to success can be riddled with so many failures but remember that landing your ideal job requires patience and dedication. While some fight hard and true for their dreams, some job seekers give up and drop the ball.
It is perfectly okay to take breaks when it gets too exhausting. Taking strategic pauses to regroup and to destress is just as important as getting that job. Bear in mind that your mental and physical health should always take precedence but giving up should not be an option.
Set an expiration date to your breaks to help you stay on track. It can also help if you draw up new strategies to your job-hunting process. You can also use your experience to come up with better tactics. Find out what worked and what did not so you can change your game plan.
Instead of giving up, get creative in your job application approach. Who knows, your ideal job could be waiting for you just right around the corner.
young woman at job interview -DepositPhotos
