Still Unemployed? You Could be Making These Common Job Search Mistakes

Job Search Mistakes

 

You’ve been at it for several days or weeks — maybe even more than a month. You’re becoming increasingly frustrated because your job search efforts proved futile, and you’ve got nothing to show for all of the hard work you’ve put in. If you’re still unemployed after a lengthy period of time, there may be some inefficiencies in your approach, and some elements may need a little tweaking. Here are some of the most common job search mistakes you could be making.

Having an Unprofessional or Ugly Resume

There are two primary things to focus on when creating your resume — professionalism and aesthetics. If you send in a mickey mouse looking resume that you only spent five minutes on, hardly any employer is going to give you the time of day. Or if this document isn’t pleasing to the eye and are hard to digest, a hiring manager will probably just move onto the next applicant.

Here are some tips for ensuring that your resume is well received and looking great:

  • Check thoroughly for spelling and grammatical errors
  • Break text down into smaller paragraphs
  • Use bulleted points when applicable
  • Avoid going overboard and including excessive information

Not Tailoring Your Resume to Each Job

Searching for a job is often a numbers game, and you can easily find yourself applying with dozens of companies. As a result, it can be tempting to only put forth a half-hearted effort where you simply send your resume and out in mass with no customization. However, this is often problematic because some information won’t always be relevant for the specific job you’re applying for, and employers can usually see this from a mile away. That’s why it’s important to tailor your resume for each unique job you’re applying for. It may take a few extra minutes but can make a world of difference.

Applying for Jobs You’re Unqualified For

While you don’t necessarily want to sell yourself short by only reaching for the low hanging fruit just because it’s easy to grab, it’s often a waste of time applying for jobs that you’re obviously unqualified for. If you’re lacking mandatory skills and are vastly under-qualified for a position, you’re most likely only going to waste your time as well as the employer’s time. To prevent this mistake, you should carefully comb through each job description and make sure that you’ve got both the necessary hard and soft skills before applying.

The job search process isn’t always easy. But with a little perseverance and by avoiding some common job search mistakes, you should be able to streamline things and find the right job that matches your specific skill set.

If you’re not having much luck, check out the SelecSource Job Board to find available positions in your area.

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