When it comes to job hunting, it’s easy to identify the big mistakes, mostly because they make perfect sense to avoid. These include passing a resume with incomplete information, going to the interview inebriated, or coming in an hour late. Again, this is pretty easy to understand.
What’s trickier are the smaller mistakes, the ones we don’t think matter, like having a few typos on your resume and cover letter, or settling for the first job interview that you win. These mistakes also have a significant impact on your career.
In the interest of helping you avoid these less common traps, we’ve compiled a list of 4 small job search mistakes that may compromise your efforts.
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Procrastinating Until the “Perfect” Moment
The process of looking for work is hard; there’s a lot of pressure and uncertainty, not to mention the looming threat of rejection. All these factors combine to discourage job seekers from acting now, making them think it’s better to start applying for work when: “I’ve fixed my resume,” or “After the holidays when companies are hiring,” or “Next month, when I’m more ready.”
News flash: NOW is the best time to look for work. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll see results.
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Relying Exclusively on Job Boards
There are many ways to look for work these days. Searching job boards is one way of doing just that. But while job boards offer a level of convenience unlike any other, they’re not exactly the most effective platform either. Companies can receive hundreds of applications through online boards, but the chances of being hired there are far lower than coursing your application through a referral or a job network.
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Not Using as Many Networks as Possible
If you want to cover as much area as possible when looking for work, use as many networks as possible:
- Look for referrals from your family, friends, and former officemates
- Look into opportunities offered by staffing services agencies
- Leverage online job search networks like LinkedIn and even Facebook
Don’t be embarrassed to ask around. Being unemployed might have a pejorative aspect to it, but millions of people will find themselves between jobs at some point in their lives.
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Spending Too Much Time Looking for Work
Looking for work is important, especially if you need work to pay bills. But as some point, there’s only so much you can do when job hunting. Spending 8 hours looking for a job every day may seem productive, but it will only wear you out in the end. Remember to take time off to focus on the things that matter. Talk to a friend, spend time with your family, get back to reading, get back in shape – your life doesn’t have to be about work all the time.
Need more advice on how to avoid lesser-known job search mistakes? Look no further than Star Staffing! Our staffing experts are on hand to help you with your job hunt! Visit our contact page today.