There are many ways a person can fail in the competitive job market through simple job seeking follies. Even those with a great deal of experience can make little mistakes which may prove to be very important to employers.
Mistake 1: One of these common mistakes is to limit one’s methods of job searching. A job seeker should utilize every possible way to market him/herself to potential employers. This includes posting internet listings, taking formal and informal interviews, and networking among friends. Networking especially, is of huge benefit. A recommendation from someone already within the company is worth a great deal. This is a great way to meet people for informal interviews. Be sure to take advantage of these situations even if the person is lower on the totem pole than you would like. It is still worth your while to meet with him/her and start building connections within the company.
Mistake 2: Another mistake which is made is that job seekers limit their search to a narrow group of companies. Although you may prefer to work with a certain company or in a particular field, you will generate more buzz by broadening your search. You also might find that you enjoy working in other areas when given the opportunity. Remember that you can always turn down a job if you decide that the description is not a good fit for you.
Mistake 3: A vital part of attaining any job is to prepare well for interviews. If you do not know the first thing about the company, the job, or the boss, they will not expect you to be prepared to work there either. If you do your research and are prepared, you will appear to be a much more organized and appealing prospect. Do be friendly and go with the flow during interviews at the same time, as you do not want to seem rehearsed.
Mistake 4: Attitude is one of the major job seeking follies found in many job seekers. It is easy to become discouraged and unhappy while trying to find work. Stay positive and allow your interviewers to see how happy and ambitious you are. If you appear depressed and cynical, you will have a difficult time pleasing any potential employer. Nobody wants a miserable mope around the office. Becoming discouraged is not beneficial to your own life either. You need to stay positive and alert in order to pounce on possible opportunities.
Mistake 5: An obvious but often neglected part of finding a job is maintaining one’s personal appearance. One should practice good hygiene and be clean and fresh for interviews. Dress well and be clean all of the time, because you never know whom you will bump into or meet. Also, dress appropriately for an interview. Be businesslike and appropriate without looking too dark or boring. Whether or not your tattoo affects your job performance, cover it up. Remove any unusual piercings from the face. It may not be fair, but it is not appropriate in today’s business world.
A final but sure fire way not to get hired is to present an old, outdated, and boring resume. Update your resume every couple of years and directly before you start a job search. As a general rule, place the most recent points first on the resume. An employer doesn’t care what elementary school you attended, so do not lead off with that. Start with most recent to least recent work experience, then education from post graduate down to high school, and then your other skills, hobbies, and recognitions that you would like to add.
Once these job seeking follies are corrected, you are sure to meet better results!
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