If you aren't getting the job, maybe you have been making one of these common mistakes.
So, you're sending out resumes, going to interviews and doing everything you can think of to find a job, but still no luck. It can be frustrating and horrible for your self esteem. Although the job market has been pretty tough lately, if you are starting to feel like you are just spinning your wheels, there is a chance that you could be making a common mistake, without even knowing it, that could be preventing employers from hiring you.
To make sure this isn't happening to you, here are some of the most common job hunting mistakes and how to avoid them:
Not preparing for an interview – There was a time a few years ago when a well qualified applicant could go into an interview and play it by ear. That time is over. When your livelihood depends on it, you need to be as prepared as possible for your interview. This means researching the company and finding out what their needs are. You should have already prepared answers for many of the commonly asked interview questions and be able to tell an interviewer why they should hire you. When you are facing tough competition, being prepared and standing out are the keys to landing the job.
Not following up effectively – There are more applicants these days for each job opening than ever before. In order to tip the scales in your favor, you have to follow up after an interview. A nice thank you note is expected after an interview. When you write your thank you note, you want to not only thank the interviewer for their time but also let them know that you understand the needs of the company and are able to touch upon what you have to offer.
Not being confident – When you have been out of work, it can really kill your self confidence. After weeks or even months of job searching, it becomes harder to project an enthusiastic, positive attitude during an interview. Practice ahead of time and think of ways to “pump up” your excitement level before walking into an interview.
Don't count on a job offer – No matter how well the interview went, don't think that you have the job in the bag. You never know who interviewed after you, or what the interviewer is thinking. Don't stop looking for a job because you are waiting on a job offer that may or may not come.
Manage your search – Too often, when we don't hear back from a company, we just assume they aren't interested in hiring us. The thing is, you can't afford to make that type of assumption. Follow up with the employer and look for ways to touch base with them on a weekly basis to find out what is happening with the job opening. Sometimes employers will advertise an opening, interview and then end up postponing making a decision for several weeks or even months. By staying in touch, you keep your name fresh in the interviewer's mind and you show them that you are determined to work for their company. Just be careful not to take this too far. If the hiring manager asks you to stop contacting them, then honor their request.
Have you ever been guilty of making one of these mistakes? What other things do you think cause people to miss out on job opportunities?
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for EducationJobsiteBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!