Five Common Job Search Strategy Mistakes You Have To Change In 2013

Hard to believe it is 2013 and we are still at a relatively high unemployment rate and many of you are still either unemployed or underemployed. I thought by now companies would be hiring at a much faster pace than what is actually happening. The job search today is frustrating to many of you who are tired of applying to jobs and never hearing anything back or never getting to talk with a human. 

2013 gives you an opportunity to change these five things to really help you get a better job.

1. Your resume doesn't match the job you are applying for at a company, even though you have the correct experience. Your resume reads Account Manager but the job is for a Customer Service Representative. You know you can do the job, but are passed over because the person reviewing your resume doesn't understand that account manager at your current company is the same as a customer service representative at their company. To take the mystery out of your resume, make your career objective at the top of the resume "Customer Service Professional". Just make sure your skill sets closely match the job you are applying to and they are clearly stated on your resume.

2. Poor online communication skills. In today's world, applying to jobs at most companies requires you to send them an email with a resume attached or you apply via an applicant tracking system (ATS). You have total control of your message, but many of you blow the opportunity to shine by failing to write clear, concise and targeted messages to the hiring authorities. In addition, many messages have bad grammar and spelling errors. You are not texting a hiring authority, you are communicating your career information.

3. Attitude adjustment needed. Many jobseekers have been through a lot of disappointments in the last couple years. Many may think they will never be hired because they are too old, had too many jobs, have no skill sets, have bad credit and many other excuses. When you get an interview, instead of really concentrating on how to get that job, you may find yourself assuming this may just be another dead end. If you come across disgruntled in the interview (I already had one of those this week), you will never get hired. Forget the past and concentrate on your skill set and attitude.

4. Be prepared. It still amazes me with all the information available about companies online 
these days, how many jobseekers go to interviews with very little knowledge of the company that could be their future workplace. Use LinkedIn.com and Glassdoor.com to find out all you can about the company and its culture. See if the company uses Twitter or Facebook and see what they are talking about. Look for similarities in your strengths with the people who work at the company.

5. No job search plan. Many jobseekers spend all of their time applying to online jobs that might fit their background. When you hit the apply button, it feels like you are accomplishing something when in reality you are probably wasting your time. Your job search plan needs to include finding jobs that match your background and skills sets. Employers are hiring skill matches today. Use online job boards, but also do research in your marketplace to discover companies that you may have never heard of. Once you identify these companies, go to their website career page and see if you qualify for any of their jobs.

Back to listing