I just received an email on the 10 Tips to Slim Down for Summer. While I could have written the article, (and I’m sure you could too!) because I’m so familiar with the common advice given for weight loss as I’ve read it a thousand times - I just couldn’t resist reading it! Perhaps it’s because I’m hoping for an answer that I’m not aware of and even if I don’t find one, it’s always a good idea to be reminded of what needs to be done to stay trim and healthy.
The same is true for the job search. Many people have a good idea of what they need to do to find a job – put together a resume, respond to ads, register with recruiters/staffing agencies, network, network, network, etc. However, when they get started, they become discouraged when their efforts don’t reap job offers and wonder what went wrong.
While there could be a multitude of reasons, from working with countless job seekers, I’ve discovered this eye-opening fact:
It’s not just about what you SHOULD DO to find a job –
It’s also about what you SHOULDN’T DO that will guarantee success.
Here are 8 mistakes that you should avoid if you want to find a job in the shortest time possible:
Mistake #1 – You do not prepare written marketing materials that “sell” you to prospective employers.
It’s the very first chance for a prospective employer to “meet” you. A wishy-washy, slapped-together, boring-list-ofjob-responsibilities resume just won’t grab their attention.
Your resume, cover letter and other written documents should convey why you are uniquely qualified to do the job based on your education, skills, personal attributes, and prior job/volunteer experience in order to ensure that you stand apart from the hundreds of other job applicants vying for the same position.
Mistake #2 – You do not take a multi-channel approach when searching for a job.
You can’t just sit in front of your lap top applying to every job posting you can find on CareerBuilder and believe that you’re conducting an effective job search. You must enlist a variety of methods for finding a job and spend most of your time focusing on tapping into the hidden job market (a.k.a., unadvertised positions).
Mistake #3 – You are not prepared for the interview.
It is crucial to conduct research on the company, be ready to answer tough questions, and continue to “sell” the employer during the interview. If you don’t shine during the interview, you won’t be able to “close the sale” as they say in marketing.
Mistake #4 – You slow down or halt your job search efforts once you get called in for an interview.
Take a lesson from actors who go on auditions. Actors know they may not get the part through no fault of their own; they might not have been the exact “type” that the auditioners were looking for. So, don’t assume you’ve got the job until after you receive the offer. In the meantime, keep your job search efforts moving along at full steam. You should be working on 6 to 8 openings at any one time.
Mistake #5 – You don’t manage your time.
As a result you waste precious time. Ask yourself this question: “What is it that I need to do on a daily basis in order to move progressively forward in my job search?” It all begins with having a definite strategy in place and then implementing that strategy by scheduling in your daily “to do” items – and of course, as Nike says – Just do it!
Mistake #6– You are not persistent enough.
Persistence is the ingredient that separates the winners from the losers. I’m sure you’ve heard about how many times Edison failed before achieving success with his many inventions. Don’t give up!
Mistake #7 – You do not analyze and regroup your efforts when you are not being successful in finding a job.
If you find that you’re doing the same things over and over and still not getting results (remember Einstein’s definition of insanity!) then it’s time to step back and analyze your progress. Are you making any of the above-mentioned mistakes? Enlist the help of a coach or job search buddy to enable you to get an objective perspective on your situation.
Mistake #8 – You think you’re the Lone Ranger and don’t get support!
Getting back to subject of weight loss – many overweight people know that in order to lose weight they need to eat less and exercise more. Yet, while they know how to successfully reach their goal, many people never attain their ideal weight. On the other hand, they do succeed when they join a program like Weight Watchers because of the support, strategies, measurement of their progress, and the accountability that the program provides. Hire a coach or get a job search buddy – don’t go it alone.
For more tips on the common mistakes to avoid during the job search, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DonnaBradshaw
To your career success!
Donna Bradshaw, CEC, CPRW, ACRW
P.S. – BTW, I did get some good tips from the Slim Down article!
