Four Job Search Errors That Could Ruin Your Career Success
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Job
searching is tough. The struggle of finding a role that matches your
capabilities, within an organisation that fits your ethos, is something
each
job searcher faces. People fall at all hurdles along the way, from a
poor CV,
mediocre interview techniques or simply applying for the wrong jobs.
Lots
of people make mistakes – we are human after all. Here are some common
blunders
and how to avoid them.
- Focusing
your time on advertised vacancies
The
more senior the role you are looking for,
the less likely it is to be advertised and the phrase ‘it’s not what
you know,
it’s who you know’ has never rung more true. In the current job market
it is
important that you get out and make connections with people in your
industry. Pick
up the phone and call in favours from ex-colleagues and friends. Even
business
contacts will prove useful for putting you in touch with industry
peers. Keep
your ear to the ground and make sure you get your foot in the door at
the early
stages of the recruitment process.
- Applying
for too many jobs
Somebody
emailed me today claiming they had
applied for 100+ jobs over three days and freely admitted not being
suitable
for 75% of them. This example is extreme but it’s not unheard of. When
getting
desperate, people tend to apply for anything that will pay but this
strategy
almost certainly won’t work. You may get some interviews, but without
carefully
planning your next move the companies you apply to will not match your
capabilities or your career desires. To succeed you must research the
kind of
companies you want to work for and understand your own capabilities to
exemplify how you can impact and benefit a business.
- Messing
up at interview
There
are many blunders you can make at
interview stage and the internet is littered with articles detailing
the most
sublime and ridiculous. The key to succeeding at interview is to be as
professional as you can be. Having the most experience is not a
guarantee for
success as an employer will be looking for someone that shares the same
outlook
as the organisation. For this reason, you must make sure you research
the
company and that you reflect the values of the business in all of your
responses,
your questions and even the way you dress. Try to understand as best
you can
the attitude of the company and the direction it is taking and then
prove to
them you share their motivation.
- Seeking
feedback
So
you haven’t been shortlisted? That doesn’t
mean you didn’t perform well. Maybe your interview was disastrous? How
will you
know without asking? Not everyone will provide feedback but if they do
then it
could iron out any mistakes you are making and help you perform better
in the
future. Remember to take criticism constructively and not to get
disheartened.
There is always room for improvement and gaining feedback could make
the
difference to your success.
Much
of what I’ve said is easier said than done. Three out of the four
pointers come
down to research and many people in full time employment feel they do
not have
the time to commit to this level of groundwork. A career coach can
assist you
with any difficulties you may face, as well as assisting you to build
your
network and research suitable organisations. They can put you on the
right
track to success whilst ensuring you spend your time productively.
About the Author
Personal Career Solutions have been operating in the career
management and
outplacement field for over a decade and can provide professional input
into your career to make sure you are on the right
road. To meet with a consultant for a free, no obligation appraisal
please visit
www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk
or call 0844 880 6690 to speak to a representative.
Follow us @Scopulus_News
Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2011-02-09 17:10:46 in Employee Articles
