Avoid these 6 common job search mistakes
You might have landed jobs in the past without a social profile. However, avoiding a web presence sends messages to potential employers. It supports the notion that experienced candidates could be less tech-savvy.
Q: I have been job searching for the last five months with some success and would like to increase my chances of getting a job offer. I have an extensive 30-year background full of experience in numerous industries and feel as though I am repeating the same search strategies. What are the most common mistakes people make when seeking employment?
A: Conducting an active job search can be challenging for everyone, regardless of their experience. However, if you have a long career history, you could be making your search more strenuous without knowing it. When you have an extensive work history, you can easily overlook some significant factors in today’s job market.
Here are six common mistakes in a job search.
• Relying on your work experience to speak for you versus building rapport with the interviewer. In the new workforce realities, you could easily talk with interviewers who have less work experience than you and report to a younger boss. Learning how to put people at ease and build rapport is critical in the hiring process.
• Waiting for the perfect job to appear. Waiting is a luxury that you might not be able to afford when getting back to work is a priority. If you keep waiting until the ideal job surfaces, you could miss out on opportunities to expand your career.
• Hanging on to the past. Successful job candidates have learned to let go of the past. Focusing on your previous job title while hoping to repeat the same responsibility and pay can produce tunnel vision. Job titles and business needs change at a rapid pace. Clinging to the past keeps you comparing every potential job to your last role.
• Compensation demands. Your compensation can be affected when you change industries or seek a different role outside of your previous experience. Expecting the same salary level can be a mistake and hinder your motivation. Focusing only on compensation instead of considering other benefits such as learning new skills can create barriers in making good decisions.
• Misunderstanding networking skills. Landing a job offer through people you know is nothing new but the method of meeting people has changed. Look at connecting with others as a fact-finding mission rather than asking questions that lead to yes or no answers. Such as, “Do you know of any job openings?” Acknowledge those you meet by sending thank you notes. Remember that networking is exchanging and sharing information.
• Keep an updated digital profile. You might have landed jobs in the past without a social profile. However, avoiding a web presence sends messages to potential employers. It supports the notion that experienced candidates could be less tech-savvy. Knowing how to market your background sends a positive perception that you can adapt to change.