The job search process is a lot like a research project, with the goal being to find out what job opportunities exist. Once you’ve clearly identified the aims and objectives for your research project. That is, why you want to change jobs and what you want in your next job, you can set out to find some answers. Some of the answers can be found on your own by searching the web, but other answers can only be found if you actively reach out to people who can help you. Some of the research can be completed alone on an electronic device and other parts involve interacting with people.

You can find jobs by searching sites online, by enlisting research assistants, in this case, your professional network, by announcing to the world–online and in person – that you are looking for a job, and by making sure you’re in the right place at the right time to learn about job opportunities. You can also build a strong online presence so that people contact you with job opportunities. With knowledge, skills, and practice, you will become a competent researcher and find the jobs you want! 

The purpose of job searching is to find alternatives to your current employment situation, to find jobs that excite you and to find jobs for which you meet the qualifications.

We’ll look at 10 job search mistakes, which fall into 4 categories:

• • Behavioral Mistakes
  • Networking Mistakes
  • Strategy Mistakes
  • Visibility Mistakes

You’ll learn details about the mistake and what it means for the job seeker and employer.

 

Behavioral Mistakes

 

Mistake #1: The job seeker doesn’t show proper etiquette

That means:

• Has an unprofessional email address
• Doesn’t reply to emails or letters
• Doesn’t answer cell phone or check VM
• Doesn’t notify references in advance

What does this mean for an employer?

• The candidate isn’t:
  • Polite
  • Reliable
  • Prepared
  • Persistent

 

Networking Mistakes

 

Mistake #2: The job seeker isn’t utilizing their network

That means:

• Doesn’t recognize the extent of their network (e.g. friends of friends) or fully utilize their network of people who would be ready to help if asked (dosn’t tell people they’re looking, don’t ask for meetings, leads, introductions or referrals) 
• Haven’t told people specifically what they’re looking for 
• If the job seeker is a college student: it means they haven’t talked to professors, club or academic advisors or utilized career services

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Miss opportunities (e.g. build professional relationships, learn about job opportunities)

 

Mistake #3: The job seeker doesn’t nurture a network

That means:

• Doesn’t build a network, maintain a network or give back to their network
  E.g. They don’t join industry associations, committees, and board of directors to work with others and show their skills

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Doesn’t have a rich network to tap into
• Juggles building a network while looking for jobs
• Feels uncomfortable asking someone for something they haven’t known for long
• The visibility of their abilities is limited

So networking mistakes are when a person doesn’t nurture or utilize their network. 

 

Strategy Mistakes

 

Mistake #4: The job seeker has the wrong mindset

That means:

• Waits until things got really bad at work or they are really burned out to start looking
• Quits job and then starts looking
• Expects to get callbacks and offers quickly
• Can’t articulate exactly why they want to change jobs or what they want in their next job

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Feels frustrated by how long the job search process can take
• Feels desperate to get a job
• Accepts something substandard
• Gets rejected
• Can’t articulate to others what they want

 

Mistake #5: The job seeker lacks a job search strategy

That means:

• Applies for the wrong jobs: not a fit for skills, won’t help reach ultimate goals
• Applies for jobs for which they are under or over qualified
• Applies for many jobs instead of fewer, targeted ones
• Doesn’t utilize the many ways to get a job

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Require a lot of time
• Exhausting
• Frustrating
• Rejection by recruiters & employers

 

Mistake #6: The job seeker limits job search to only full-time traditional employment

That means applicant doesn’t consider:

• • Temp jobs
  • Part-time work
  • Volunteer work
  • Contract work

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• The job seeker misses out on opportunities to:
  • showcase skills, 
  • network, and 
  • learn about job opportunities that are not open to the public

 

Mistake #7: The job seeker doesn’t understand how people get jobs

That means the applicant:

• Doesn’t utilize all the ways to get a job e.g. exclusively pursues advertised job openings on job boards or company websites for job leads and doesn’t seek out referrals or tap into their network
• Posts resume on job boards and waits for recruiters and employers to contact them
  Looks for jobs in the wrong places or not enough places

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Job seeker will spend extra time trying to find a job
• Job seeker won’t get the job they want

 

So now we know strategy mistakes are when a person doesn’t have the right mindset for the job search process, when they don’t know all the ways people can get jobs, or when they overlook important opportunities. Finally, let’s look at:

 

Visibility Mistakes

 

Mistake #8: The job seeker isn’t visible where employers are looking for candidates

That means the job seeker:

• Doesn’t have a profile where recruiters and employers are looking such as LinkedIn (or their privacy settings limit exposure)
• Doesn’t have a presence on relevant job boards or career sites
• Isn’t attending industry-specific job fairs, conferences, meet-ups, and other networking events

 

How does this impact the job seeker?

• Job seeker will have fewer people in their network to tap into
• Job seeker will have less visibility
• Job seeker won’t hear about job opportunities
• Job seeker won’t be invited to apply for jobs

 

Mistake #9: The job seeker doesn’t manage their online presence and privacy well

That means the job seeker:

• Hasn’t adjusted default privacy settings on social media accounts (e.g. anyone can see job seeker’s Twitter or Instagram posts)
• Accepts a recruiter or employee of a potential employer on a social media site like Facebook
• Has public online images, videos or a blog that are personal
• Doesn’t update a website, online profiles, and portfolios with the most recent information

 

How would this come across to an employer?

• Suspects the job seeker isn’t careful
• Worries potential clients or employees could find this information too
• Decides they don’t like the person personally

 

Mistake #10: The job seeker doesn’t display their talents online 

That means the job seeker:

• Doesn’t utilize online platforms to show projects, writing sample, or their portfolio. 
• Doesn’t take online skill tests and share the results on sites like Upwork for Independent Contractors
• Doesn’t share all qualifications like certificates or conference presentations
• Doesn’t bring samples of their work to a job interview. 

What does this mean for an employer?

• The job seeker isn’t on their radar
• They don’t know the job seekers skills and abilities

 

So now we know visibility mistakes are when a job seeker hasn’t made themselves visible to employers and recruiters, when they haven’t displayed their talents online, or when they haven’t managed their online presence and privacy well.