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Don’t Make These Job Hunting Mistakes

January 27, 2015 | Career Blog

Don't Make Job Hunting Mistakes

It’s no joke that job hunting is a full-time job in itself. It takes time to research perspective companies, fill out applications, rework your resume, craft individualized cover letters and make time for interviews. There’s a lot of work that goes into, well, getting work.

The entire process can be frustrating and tiring. But don’t let your guard down. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure you wind up with your dream job.

  1. Don’t get discouraged. The phone isn’t ringing, no one’s responding to your emails and you haven’t been on an interview in four weeks. Yes, it’s disheartening but don’t give up. Take a day or two off from the job hunt to relax and recharge. Then re-approach your job search with a new perspective.
  2. Understand that one size does not fit all. Even if you’re applying for jobs in the same industry, every company and each position will be different. So why are you using the exact same cover letter for all of them? Take the time to craft a specific cover letter that addresses the company and the job requirements. You may also need to tweak your resume so it clearly reflects your skills for the specific job posting.
  3. Do your homework before the interview. If you’re fortunate to land an interview, be prepared. Don’t just wander into the meeting with little to no idea of what the company does, its environment and company values. In this day of Google, it’s not tough to learn about a business.
  4. Dress the part. First impressions are critical in a job interview. Be neat, well groomed and professional. If you’re unsure about what exactly to wear, dress a little better than you think you should. Better to be dressed professionally than go casual when everyone else is in a business suit.
  5. Sell yourself, but be honest. Yes, you want to put your best foot forward and accentuate your skills, expertise and experience. Just make sure that, in your desire to get the job, you don’t oversell your skills. You don’t want to end up with the job only to be underprepared and ill-equipped to handle the task at hand.

It all boils down to being prepared. If you devote the right time and energy to your job hunt, it will make the process much more successful. For some more tips, check out this article on “Five Ways Job Seekers Blow It.”