Job Hunting Techniques That Are Outdated

The 2018 labor market favors job seekers, as the unemployment rate remains low and demand for top talent stays high. That's why your job search must follow certain trends to be successful. If you've submitted your resume multiple times and are not having much luck, think about eschewing these four outdated job-hunting techniques to see if you get more call backs for interviews.

1. Making It All About Your Resume

While your resume is important to a job search, you should not rely solely on this document to land a job. A resume introduces the hiring manager to your skills, but it's not the final say on your abilities. Rather than submit a multi-page resume that lists your entire job history, stick to one page that showcases your top-level skills, most relevant positions and the right keywords. Hiring managers do not have time to sift through excess verbiage or job experience that ranges from every odd job in high school to the first 10 years of your career. Keep your resume short and to the point to get a call back for the next stage.

2. Not Tailoring Your Application to Each Job

Applying for jobs online makes a job search easier for both applicants and employers, but that doesn't mean you should fill out an application for dozens of positions all at once with generic information. Take an approach that caters your information to a particular employer or position. Only 2 percent of applicants make it to the interview phase, which means employers reject a vast majority of initial resumes.

Optimize every aspect of your job search to put your data in line with particular job descriptions. That means placing the right SEO keywords in your online profiles, such as LinkedIn, and in your resume. For example, you determine that the most relevant job title for a manager of a sales team is "Sales Director," a role in which you served recently even though your formal job title was "Head of Sales." Consider altering your job title to "Sales Director" to capture the attention of recruiters.

3. Failing to Prepare for the Interview

A job interviewer evaluates your personality, skills and experiences to determine if you are the right candidate for a position. Do not take the interview lightly, even if a recruiter said he found your resume impressive. Prepare for the interview and have solid answers for as many questions as possible. Research common interview questions and rehearse your answers until they sound like they are natural, well-thought-out responses. Employers believe that candidates who do not prepare properly for interviews show disinterest in the position, so make sure you're ready.

4. Hoping for the Best After an Interview

Don't leave the final stage of a job search up for grabs. Get a definitive answer from a hiring manager regarding the next steps after you complete the interview. Find out when you should hear back and when you should follow up, and don't forget to send a thank-you note to your interviewers.

Take these outdated job-hunting techniques to heart on your next job search. Focus your efforts on landing a position with your top employers to secure a job that showcases your talents and furthers your career.

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