Change These Five Things in Your Job Search

Getting a job isn't always easy, especially when there are a number of qualified applicants for most open positions. Unless you specialize in something truly unusual, you are competing with dozens of people. Fortunately, there are several things you can change to make your job search more successful. If you have been trying to get a job for several months, try making these changes.

1. Lack of Qualifications

A lack of qualifications can hurt you during the screening stage, especially if other applicants are overqualified for a job opening. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for a job, do not send in an application. Instead, keep searching through the job postings until you find one that fits your background.

2. Job-Search Mistakes

If you are making silly mistakes during your job search, those mistakes can make you look rather unprofessional. One common mistake is asking about compensation and benefits too early in the hiring process. Yes, you're probably looking for a job because you need to make money, but you need to demonstrate some enthusiasm for the role before you start talking about benefits. Avoid including photographs with your cover letter or using over-the-top tactics to grab attention. They grab attention all right but not the positive attention you want.

3. Problems with Social Media

Any time you start a new job search, you should take the opportunity to review your social media accounts. Make sure there is nothing on your Twitter or Facebook account that might embarrass you during your job search. If necessary, block people from being able to post directly on your personal pages. You don't want a hiring manager to see anything inappropriate, even if you didn't create it.

4. Not Enough Preparation

When it comes to getting a job, there's almost no such thing as being too prepared. Unfortunately, many applicants fail to research potential employers before participating in phone screens or on-site interviews. If you are lucky enough to land an interview, spend plenty of time learning about the company's products or services.

5. Weak Interviewing Skills

The interview is an opportunity for the hiring manager to assess whether you would be a good fit for the company. If you have weak interviewing skills, it's difficult to persuade interviewers you have the communication skills and personality to thrive in any environment. Improve your interviewing skills by attending career-development workshops or practicing with a friend. Strong interviewing skills are one of the most important assets you can have during a job search.

Nobody is perfect, but you need to be as polished as possible from the time you submit an application to the time you accept a job offer. If your job search is going nowhere, brush up on your interviewing skills and make some changes to the way you apply for jobs.

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