If your job search is suffering, ask yourself whether you've acted in your own best interests. Wanting a great job is not the same as working for it, and you can quickly set yourself up for failure by being passive or inconsistent in your efforts. Before you implode from frustration, rethink your job search to make sure you aren't guilty of these common self-sabotaging behaviors.
Job-Searching in a Vacuum
Staring at job listings on a computer screen for hours every day can kill your drive, causing you to make desperate choices or settle for a job you don't enjoy. Few worthwhile goals are achievable by performing the same action in the same place using the same method over and over again. Don't be afraid to detach yourself from job boards and build relationships with people in your community.
Professionals have lives beyond their jobs, and you can find leads by simply striking up conversations with people who have similar hobbies or mutual acquaintances. Tell others about your job search to spread the word beyond your own network, and get involved in events and organizations through which you can meet people in your industry.
Neglecting Your Skills
Approach your job search like any other competition — with the assumption that your opponents are always moving forward. Honing skills and learning new ones can help you stay motivated during a job search while showing potential employers that you take initiative in your career. Take on personal or freelance projects to build a portfolio, or volunteer in a career-relevant environment where you can gain strong references.
Undervaluing Social Media
Some job seekers might dismiss online social networking, but social media can open you up to a global audience and make it easier to establish credibility. Employers frequently look for potential candidates online, making it difficult to land a job if you're invisible in the digital space. While no one can deny the internet is overloaded with virtual clutter, you can cut through the chaos by offering value in your interactions and content.
To avoid superficiality, actively engage with your connections on topics you know and love. Become known for giving good advice and answering questions, motivating others to seek you out for information or opportunities. Social media provides an unlimited capacity to build a personal brand, letting you create your own niche based on your interests, background and personality.
Ignoring Professional Etiquette
Resist the tendency to use social media to vent. You never know who may see your online activity and make snap judgments about your character. Avoid making negative statements that are difficult to overcome, whether it's attacking others, badmouthing employers, complaining about your job search or begging to be hired. Employers aren't compelled to contact candidates who seem desperate for any job or prone to passing blame, so avoid littering your Internet presence with red flags.
Get used to treating your real-world and digital reputations as elements of your personal brand. A strong job search requires a well-developed strategy in which everything you say and do reinforces your authenticity and expertise. For a successful job search, leave your comfort zone, and set productive goals that continually boost your competitive appeal as a candidate.
Photo courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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