Job Seekers Mistakes

You talk too fast.
You avoid eye contact.
You ask too many questions.
You wear too much perfume.
You lie about your work history.
You show up late to interviews.
You don’t do your research.

And you wonder why you haven’t gotten a job yet?

There’s no such thing as an error-free job search, most mistakes can be avoided with a little attentiveness.

“The best way to get a great job is to have a laser beam focus,” Davidson says. “The more targeted and specific you are, the more powerful your job search will be.”

Younger applicants approach their job search with a “what’s in it for me” attitude, they lack humility and their expectations exceed their qualifications.

Seasoned job seekers, on the other hand, oftentimes come across with more attitude, indicating they may be uncoachable or won’t adapt to a new career environment.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot during your next job search.
Here are common mistakes job seekers should avoid:

1. Fire … Ready, Aim
Don’t waste your time shooting out résumés before you’ve aimed for your ideal job. Take the time to ready your job search, aim for what you want and pursue your career with fiery determination.

2. Assuming you’re on a first-name basis
Never call your interviewer by his or her first name, including interviewers younger than you, says career management expert Sally Haver. Until you hear, “You can call me Fred,” or the equivalent, address the interviewer formally.

3. Your life’s an open book
Keep your private life private.

4. Winging it
One of the biggest turn-offs for a hiring manager is when a candidate they are interviewing has not done the research necessary to understand both the position and the company they are applying for. Unless you are more prepared, more practiced and more passionate than the other candidates, you are wasting everyone’s time.

5. Neglecting your appearance
You’ve heard it once. You’ll hear it again: dress for the position you want to have.

6. Applying just to apply
Apply only for the jobs and companies that interest you. “Go after that job like an Olympic athlete goes for a medal. Don’t waste time sending out résumés for positions you don’t really want.

7. Not talking the talk
An interviewer is not looking for a yes or no response to their question. They do want a direct response, but it is OK to support your point with specific examples that are relevant to your work experience. On the other hand don’t too talk too much. It reveals nervousness or the inability to deliver a direct response.

8. Sending a phone book
Sending a 10-page résumé is a mammoth error. Highlight your abilities in one page. Remember the person reviewing résumés has 15 seconds to decide to bring you in.

9. Doing it alone
Not networking with everyone you know cuts your chances of finding a great job. The more people you involve, the better your chances are.

10. Forgetting to say thank you
Always send a thank you e-mail to the hiring manager. Use it as an opportunity to leave an impression on him or her by referencing something you discussed in your interview.

Behn says job seekers often “nail” the interview, get a job offer and then send a mistake-riddled thank you note - that’s a great way to get your offer rescinded.

11. Talking negatively about past employers
Regardless of how valid your point of view is, it’s not necessary to trash your past employer. If you’re asked to talk about your previous job, be prepared to put a positive spin on it, showing you valued the experience.

12. Not asking good questions
Not asking open-ended questions is a sure-fire way to show that you don’t care about the company or the position you’re interviewing for.
Ask questions like, “Where do you see this position going?” “What is going to make the person who takes this position successful?” “Why is the position open?” or, “How do you see me fitting in here?”

by Rachel Zupek