Five Mistakes That Can Derail Your Job Search

No matter how much time and energy you invest in job seeking, critical
mistakes can derail your efforts. Consider the following job search
scenario. Each of the mistakes described below can put your job search
off track, but all are easy to avoid.

Mistake #1: Starting with a Handicap

Your job search is underway. Time to get out your resume, dust it off, and add your most recent experience… Right?

Wrong. A strong job search starts with strategizing, and a
strong resume should be the vehicle to put your strategy into action.
It isn't enough to dust off an old resume – you need a revised resume
that is tailored to a specific position and a specific employer.

Ask yourself… What are the top needs and preferences of this
employer? How can you address the employer’s needs with specific
information about your experience, strengths, and accomplishments? And
how can you structure your resume to convey this key information in a
quick, 30-second scan?

To avoid mistake #1, assume that your resume is much more than
a personal history that simply needs a little updating. Start with a
strategy, and rewrite your resume so that it speaks directly to the
interests and concerns of the employer who will read it.

Mistake #2: Sending Less-Than-Your-Best

Your resume is done, and you’ve written a cover letter to
accompany it. Now you’re ready to drop both in the mail in response to
a job ad that especially interests you… Right?

Wrong. Have you first made very sure that you’re not sending
out less than your best? Many job seekers fail to realize that both the
resume and the cover letter are seen as examples of the quality of
their work.

This means that all aspects of overall quality are important –
including spelling, grammar, visual layout, organization, and clarity
of writing. Errors will stand out like a flashing red light, and
anything that makes the resume and cover letter difficult to follow may
cause them to be tossed aside.

To avoid mistake #2, follow this rule of thumb: Have at least
two other people read both your resume and cover letter before you send
them out. Tell them your job-search strategy so that they know what you
want to communicate to the employer.

Mistake #3: Cyber-Regrets

The employer has called for an interview! In addition, he’s
asked that you e-mail a copy of your resume to another person in the
company. That's easy – a quick note with a Word attachment… Right?

Wrong. A casual approach to the computer world can lead to
embarrassing mistakes. Regrettably, e-mails usually can't be called
back after clicking on the "send" button.

As before, avoid mistake #3 by treating any letter as both an
opportunity to convey your qualifications and a sample of your writing.
Avoid common e-mail shorthand and short, terse paragraphs – the former
can come across as "unprofessional" and the latter as impersonal.

Finally, to be on the safe side, print out your e-mail and
attachment to make sure that all looks well in hard copy. Then send the
e-mail to at least one other person, and ask them to review both its
content and appearance.

Mistake #4: The Missed Opportunity

You’ve prepared for your interview and thought over all the
answers you may have to supply. There's not much more you can do…
Right?

Wrong. Chances are that at some point in the interview the
employer will turn the tables and say: "Do you have any questions?" If
you respond by saying "no" or by turning to practical details ("What is
your benefits package?"), this will be a missed opportunity.

To avoid mistake #4, think of several questions beforehand –
questions that speak directly to the responsibilities and challenges of
the job itself. Employers want to know how you think and what you would
be like to work with; your questions are an opportunity to show that
you can take on the challenges of the job in a constructive way.

Mistake #5: Letting the Ball Drop

You had a strong interview, and you're waiting to hear whether
you got the job. At least now you can take a breather while you wait…
Right?

Wrong. Until you have a job offer, assume that it's up to you
to keep the ball in the air. First and foremost, send a thank-you
letter to each person who interviewed you, making reference to one or
more things that were discussed.

Second, follow up at regular Intervals to indicate your
continued interest and keep your prospects alive. It’s tempting to hang
back so that you "won’t be a bother" – but the job seeker who lets the
ball drop may lose out to the one who is politely and persistently
enthusiastic.

© 2005 Ruth Anderson