5 Job-Hunting Mistakes You Don't Want To Mak

Job searching can make anyone feel negative and
depressed. People (smart, seasoned, and well-connected
people!) are constantly asking for advice, so it's still a tad
shocking to see the mistakes people make. Making the
right impression matters and even the smartest people do
some less than intelligent things while job-searching.
Whether you’re just starting your job search or you’re
feeling like it’s taking forever, here’s the 5 mistakes you
don't want to make:

1.  Lack of job focus

Sometimes a job search can also be an opportunity to
rethink your career. It's possible you're doing not quite
what you've wanted. If you have a desire to try something
else - it might be the right time. So you need to set your
goal and go for it. Determine it, and be specific. You don't
want to have "a management job" or "a job with a dynamic
fast growing business." If you want to be successful at
your job you have to love it. And the hiring manager knows
it. Having vague goals will not help you. Such unfocused
job-seekers fail to appear interested in anything but
getting on someone's payroll. Pay attention to the "must
have" vs. "nice to have" requirements.

2.  Lack of Preparation.

With ready access to information via the Internet lack of
preparation before job interviews seems improbable, but it
is true. So, do your homework! Doing your homework
means doing your research , be prepared for tricky
questions and uncomfortable situations. Do not forget to
make a good research about the company, the market it is
operating in and the job position offered.

3. Poorly Writing or Formatting Your Resume

You must try to get your CV and cover letter in as good a
shape as possible. It is important to customize the cover
letter and each resume to the opportunity. It's not rocket
science, but be sure your qualifications aren't junk, like
"team player," "adaptable," "integrity." Do a research about
a company and send your resume to the department you
want to work instead of HR.

4.  Begging for a job.

This is true even when you’re desperate. You do not need
to tell a potential employer; “I need a job!” They know that.
They know because you sent a cover letter and a CV. If
you’re at an interview they know that because you showed
up. Focus on what you can do for employers and don’t
focus on what they can do for you. Once they decide they
want to hire you, then you can ask what they can do for
you. After you have a job offer, then you can start
qualifying what you want from them. Your job is to get an
offer. You can decide if you want the job or not afterward.
And remember: if an employer does hire someone they
perceive as desperate you can be certain they’ll offer a
lower salary than they would have otherwise.

5.  Giving up.

Most people get in cycles with going on a couple of
interviews and then they stop. You can't stop. Until you
have an offer, you have absolutely nothing. Sell yourself
very well in an interview. What is it that you can offer that
others can't? You have to be able to sell yourself. Keep
selling until you get a job offer. It's a matter of picking up
the phone and really putting in a lot of effort in talking to
anybody who will listen.

Don't forget that job search is a time and efforts
consuming process. The success comes for the ones who
are persistently trying to achieve their goals. If you focus
on the process, you don't need to focus on the results. The
process is: Have a résumé that sells you, pick up the
phone and call an employer, create a need for yourself.
You need to make a boat load of those calls. We hope,
most common job-hunting mistakes that can prevent you
from landing your next job and progressing up the career
ladder.