Finding tips on how to successfully job search is all around us, a simple google search will give you hundreds of results.
But, you may be left with more questions than answers when you're falling short on getting a response for the jobs you want. Hiring teams are never short on resumes and rarely, if any, have time to acknowledge that they've received your resume. So applicants are left wondering.
Below are some of the top mistakes you want to avoid making for a more successful search.
1. One resume for them all
If you are truly looking to land that job you need to customize your resume to show why you deserve to be considered. Your skills should align with what is in the job posting. If you're looking to grow in the same career or in a new area highlight what you can bring based on the previous experience you have.
Recruiters cannot assume you are able to do a specific task and if we don't see that on your resume we will assume you cannot. If you're being interviewed because you may have "some" skills when you actually have all and perhaps even skills that are looked at as an asset, why not show that before we can even question you.
2. Applying for every job you
It's important to stay focused when you're job searching. You will come across a lot of positions where you find yourself saying "I can do this" however, hiring professionals are not asking that question but rather "has this person done this before".
You should be applying for positions where you actually posses majority of the required skills and have done at least 75% of them in your past.
If you're looking for a new position that would be a level up for you, ask yourself if you've don't at lease 70% of what this job requires. If you have not then don't apply for that job because a recruiter will see that you are not qualified and move on.
3. Information Overload
A stat many of you may have already come across while looking for advice on job searching is: On average a recruiter spends about 7 seconds reviewing your resume.
Take this and never forget it. Make the bullet points count. We're not looking for smart words or an intellectual sentence. What have you achieved that will make you perfect for this role, does your experience align with the job you're applying for. Actions, number, percentages...these are what will make your resume stand out.
If I'm looking at an overwritten resume I'll quickly look at the first few words of each bullet point (if that) and move on. As recruiters we don't have the time and a seasoned recruiter already knows when they see a long resume they don't need to read every word to get to the point.
Personal information is also very unnecessary on your resume. Often times I see gender, nationality, marital status and even religious beliefs. This is not only the last thing on our minds, it's also not legal to be asked these types of questions and considered based on your answers. So use the space for important information like why you are the perfect person for the job.
4. Networking and only applying for open roles
Use your connections, take advantage of your LinkedIn profile. Social media is used by everyone and yes most employers do search you on most platforms. Make sure your profiles are up to date and don't be shy to network on places like LinkedIn. It is a tool that many are unaware of the power it posses.
5. Being prepared
Let's say you saw a job posting, it was perfect. Exactly where you want your career to go and you just know that you would flourish at this position. You then get a call from the recruiter but are suddenly stumped. Why? You didn't do your research. This also goes with the second point of applying for too many jobs. That initial phone call is your first impression so make it count. Be confident, know some quick points you can make about experience and how it relates to the job. This will only prepare you better for when they ask for your availability for a face to face interview!
Ultimately, you should have a plan and be organized and intentional with your job search. Have prospective companies in mind and which position you ultimately want to land. This will help you focus better and also give you a better system to begin networking. Remember to be pro active in your job search rather than reactive to what you see out there.