Struggling with your job search?

Are you struggling with your job search? Are you having a tough time getting interviews or offers?

I have met with many clients that were making some big, and common, mistakes before they came to me for help. They were doing things that made sense given what they knew, but did not understand how some of their actions were actually hurting them.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes when job searching and the secrets on how to prevent them.

Mistake #1: Being open to all roles and companies People think they will increase their chances of getting a good job if they are open to a wide variety of roles and types of companies. However, this approach makes it harder to focus which adversely affects your efforts and results. Knowing what you want to do and at what type of company makes it easier for you to tell your story and get people to help you.

Mistake #2: Only applying on job boards Job boards are a curse and a blessing. Most resumes are reviewed by an application tracking system and then go into a black hole. Often times, you do not even get a canned rejection email, and the majority of the resumes that make it to a human being get dismissed within 10 seconds. The best way to use job boards is to identify good opportunities and companies and then apply targeted networking to get referrals. There are plenty of job boards but less than 20% of all hires come from them, but do not dismiss them. Use them for due diligence.

Mistake #3: Applying to multiple roles at the same company Many companies, especially large ones, have multiple positions that you’re qualified for. You think this is great because it increases your chances of getting a call and shows your interest in the company. Unfortunately, most companies do not think the same way. They have practices to dismiss applicants with multiple submissions because they are perceived as not having an area of expertise and/or do not know what they want to do. I advise clients to pick and pursue the one that most suits and interests you.

Mistake #4: Cover letters are key Cover letters have a bad rap and some people think that they are not as popular as they once were. Do you want to risk an opportunity because you may think that the cover letter is not that important? Your cover letter is like a summary section on a resume that can and should be used to describe who you are, what you excel at and what you have accomplished. Whether they ask for it or do not mention it, it is always better to send a cover letter. For the companies that require it, you need take the time to tailor yours for the role and company — and the more personalized, the better.

Mistake #5: Networking is only for the job search It is unlikely you will stay at the same company for the rest of your career. If you only network during times of need, you are doing yourself a disservice. Networking should be a year-round activity with year-round benefits. Through networking, you can connect people with mutual interests, learn more about an industry, your profession, solve challenges and build strong relationships. It also sets you up for learning about new openings and getting referrals for when you are ready for the next opportunity.

Are you making any of these mistakes?

If you are even making one of these mistakes, you are prolonging your dream job and even worse, your happiness.

Send me a copy of your current resume, and I would be happy to analyze it free, offer constructive criticism and I will show you how to avoid common failure points and how to correct them. Just send it to richardfruscione@hotmail.com

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If you are actively looking for work or you are preparing for an interview, I strongly recommend you check out my blog at:

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