19 ways to sabotage your job search

@j_sjoman

19 SURE WAYS TO SABOTAGE YOUR JOB SEARCH

FAILING TO PROOFREAD JOB-HUNTING MATERIALS1

FAILING TO PROOFREAD JOB-HUNTING MATERIALS

You send a résumé with typo or a cover letter with grammatical errors? 61% of employers said they’d automatically dismiss from consideration a résumé with typos.

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IGNORING YOUR ONLINE FOOTPRINT2

IGNORING YOUR ONLINE FOOTPRINT

The first thing an employer will do after reviewing your resumé is look for you online. Don’t forget to proof everything you write online. Be active.

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SOUNDING WISHY-WISHY ABOUT YOUR JOB OBJECTIVE 3

SOUNDING WISHY-WISHY ABOUT YOUR JOB OBJECTIVE

You When networking, you’ll probably be asked, “What type of job are you looking for?” If you haven’t prepared a crisp, succinct and

compelling answer to that question, you’re toast. The more confident and clear you are, the likelier others can and will help you.

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PLAYING THE PITY GAME4

PLAYING THE PITY GAMEDON’T BLAME THE ECONOMY FOR YOUR UNEMPLOYED JOB STATUS. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE DURING INTERVIEWS OR NETWORKING CONVERSATIONS. KEEP YOUR EMOTIONS IN CHECK AND TRY TO CONVEY AN UPBEAT ATTITUDE.

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NOT PREPARING A LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INTERVIEW5

NOT PREPARING A LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INTERVIEWspend as much time compiling great questions for the interviewer as you do prepping for ones you’ll be asked. In your initial meeting, keep your queries focused on the work. Save questions about compensation, flexible schedules and other benefits for later interviews.

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FORGETTING TO SAY ”THANK YOU” WHEN NETWORKING6

FORGETTING TO SAY ”THANK YOU” WHEN NETWORKINGDon’t be a networking nitwit. Make it a point to thank everyone who takes the time to speak with you or offers an introduction on your behalf. It will be appreciated more than you realize.

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TAKING TOO MANY BREAKS FROM SEARCH7

TAKING TOO MANY BREAKS FROM SEARCHIt’s ok to take occasional breather, but don’t allow yourself lengthy breaks every time you make progress. Keep your effort going!

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PUTTING ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

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Don’t devote all of your time and energy to one potential position. It’s best to continue your search efforts and

pursue several jobs while you wait to hear from your preferred employer.

PUTTING ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

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NOT DEDICATING ENOUGH TIME TO THE PROCESS

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Almost 44% of job seekers spend less than 3 hours per day looking for a new position.

People who put more time into their job search find jobs sooner.

NOT DEDICATING ENOUGH TIME TO THE PROCESS

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LETTING EMOTIONS AND FRUSTRATION GET THE BEST OF YOU10

LETTING EMOTIONS AND FRUSTRATION GET THE BEST OF YOULooking for a job can be grueling and emotional, but there are ways to stay calm. Exercise daily, eat right and visit your friends and family.

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FAILING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM A DAY WITHOUT PROGRESS 11

FAILING TO BOUNCE BACK FROM A DAY WITHOUT PROGRESSStay positive and motivated. Make a daily to-do list.

Treat your job search like a sales job. Remind yourself daily about the things you have to offer an employer. Believe in yourself.

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GETTING DISTRACTED AND LEAVING TOO LITTLE TIME FOR THE SEARCH12

GETTING DISTRACTED AND LEAVING TOO LITTLE TIME FOR THE SEARCHKeep household tasks for evening as if you were working full time. See if you can swap child care with another family member. You need time to focus. Establish a routine.

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FAILING TO GET HELP REVIEWING YOUR RÉSUMÉ13

FAILING TO GET HELP REVIEWING YOUR RÉSUMÉYou might think your résumé is flawless, but chances are you’re wrong. Have at least 2 or 3 people review your résumé for spelling errors, irrelevant information, and skills you haven’t profiled.

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NOT DIVERSIFYING YOUR JOB SEARCH. SOME PEOPLE RELY ON ONLINE JOB POSTINGS;

OTHERS DEPEND ONLY ON NETWORKING14

If you are not a very social person, ask yourself if you are spending too much time in front of your computer. You need to be contacting people you know and going to business and social events. If you are a person who is very social, you may need to spend more time researching

companies and looking online postings. Find a balance.

NOT DIVERSIFYING YOUR JOB SEARCH. SOME PEOPLE RELY ON ONLINE JOB POSTINGS;

OTHERS DEPEND ONLY ON NETWORKING14

FAILING TO TAILOR YOUR RÉSUMÉ WITH RELEVANT KEY WORDS FOR EACH JOB APPLICATION

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FAILING TO TAILOR YOUR RÉSUMÉ WITH RELEVANT KEY WORDS FOR EACH JOB APPLICATIONCustomizing your résumé is crucial. A tailored résumé tells an employer that you’ve done your homework and you’re serious about the job. If you’re not sure how to do this, use the internet or ask a friend, former colleague, or career expert for help.

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JUMPING INTO A SEARCH WITH EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE EITHER TOO SPECIFIC OR TOO BROAD

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Approach the job search with an open mind, but set some boundaries for yourself. If you apply too broadly, you will waste a lot of time on applications that will not yield interviews. Companies want applicants who closely fit the job posting. If you apply too narrowly, you will not find many jobs to apply for.

JUMPING INTO A SEARCH WITH EXPECTATIONS THAT ARE EITHER TOO SPECIFIC OR TOO BROAD

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BECOMING ISOLATED FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY BECAUSE YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME SEARCHING FOR JOBS

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BECOMING ISOLATED FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY BECAUSE YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME SEARCHING FOR JOBSBuild in some social time every week. Your networking meetings will be a part of this. However, it is important to schedule something with friends or family because you are not seeing coworkers every day. This can get isolating.

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FORGETTING TO INCLUDE OCCASIONAL BREAKS OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES18

It’s important to take breaks for social activities and personal time, but limit yourself. Frequent and long breaks can destroy your chances of finding employment.

FORGETTING TO INCLUDE OCCASIONAL BREAKS OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES18

RUSHING INTO THE PROCESS TOO QUICKLY19

RUSHING INTO THE PROCESS TOO QUICKLYDo your homework. Looking for a job is a process that has a big learning curve. Talk to others who have been in your shoes about lessons they’ve learned and mistakes they’ve made. Consult job search books or go to a job search class.

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NOW GO GET IT TIGER!AND REMEMBER...

PASSION

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Storm Thorgerson & Storm Studios, R.I.P.SOURCE: http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/03/18/6-sure-ways-to-sabotage-your-job-search/

JARKKO SJÖMAN @j_sjoman

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