Avoid These 3 Deadly Job Hunting Mistakes
Toxic chemicals have warning labels. Dangerous roads have warning signs. Unfortunately, some of the deadliest job-hunting mistakes you can make don’t have warning signs. Consider this article your warning and avoid these 3 deadly job-hunting errors at all costs!
1. Applying for a Job You’d Love But Aren’t Qualified For: I get it, I get it, you’re just trying to follow a dream and in the off chance you get called for an interview, then get offered the job how cool would it be to have your dream job years before you’re qualified for it? Unfortunately a lot of people think this way and submit their resumes to jobs they know they aren’t qualified for. When an experienced hiring manager sees these submissions they often roll their eyes and toss your resume in the trash. That, my friends, is the best-case scenario. Other scenarios include them writing down your name on a no-hire list or offering you the job and firing you almost immediately when you flounder in a position you were unqualified for. Just don’t do it!
2. Applying to Every Job You Find: You may hate your current job more than any job you’ve ever had. You may be in between jobs and desperate to find a new one anywhere you can. Still, applying to every job you can possibly find is often a deadly mistake. Why? Because you’re not evaluating the company culture described in the job which may result in you wasting your time going out on interviews for jobs you aren’t really interested in. It could also lead you to apply for multiple jobs within the same company, which could seem like you’re spamming your resume and desperate (not a quality most employers are looking for). Take a breath, take your time, read the job description and decide if it interests you before submitting your resume. You may be lowering your odds based on numbers alone but you’re increasing your odds of interviewing for a position you’re actually interested in having.
3. Letting Your Skills Get Stale: Whether they’re in between jobs or unable to find time to focus on side projects because they’re working AND looking for a new job, many job hunters make the deadly mistake of letting their skills get stale. It’s always important to make time for brushing up on your technical skills, learning new ones, and tinkering with projects that relate to one of your areas of expertise. Think of it as car maintenance, just because you don’t need to drive regularly doesn’t mean you should let your car sit in the garage for months on end without taking it for the occasional spin and check-up.
When you’re on the hunt for a new job your mind is often going a mile a minute. This rapid pace and high-stakes situation can lead many job hunters to make deadly mistakes that could lengthen their job search or cost them a job offer. Now that you know about these 3 deadly errors, you can avoid them at all cost!