When looking for a job, there are very grave
mistakes you need to avoid. Namely:
1. Sending
your resume/CV to anyone you can get your hands on: So
if you send out a CV to someone, ensure that it’s targeted and that you know
who they are and why they would be interested. But more importantly, make it
obvious to the recipients that it’s targeted and that you chose them
specifically.
2. Applying
to all the job ads you can find: Spending
hours of your time applying for everything under the sun without any focus or
way to distinguish yourself from the crowd will get you nowhere. All it will do
is make you tired and frustrated.
3. Relying
on recruitment agencies a 100%: You
cannot rely on the recruitment agencies to magically find a job for you.
It does not work like that. They are sitting on countless CVs at any one time.
Their CV database is huge. You are a number to them and they will only contact
you if you happen to fit one of their roles. Given there are thousands of
candidates for them to choose from, you cannot count on this as your only or
main route to finding a job.
4. Sending
out blanket emails to people you don’t know: When people receive
emails from those they do not know, they may consider them “spam.” They do not
know you and therefore, why should they care about you or what you are after?
If you are sending out a mass email into the cyber abyss, the people reading
and receiving these can tell. It’s generic, impersonal and usually highly
annoying to the reader. Why on earth should they help you? They do not know you
and you have not taken the time to get to know them! Imagine you are a top
manager somewhere going about your day job, but you consistently get emails
from people asking for a job. Would you respond or want to help them?
Unsurprisingly, this approach is a big waste of time. Targeted emails and/or
letters – which have been thought through and proofread– are a better
investment for your job search efforts.
5. Adding
anyone you can find to LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter network: When
people try to add random connections, what usually happens is the invited
individual will click the ‘I don’t know this user’ button, which means you will
never be able to contact that person again. If this occurs several times, social
networks will restrict you from openly contacting and connecting with people
until you start acting professionally again.
If you are looking for a new job and find any
of the above true in your job search, it is time to review your job search
efforts. If you want to get ahead, be smart about how you use your time.
Re-evaluate your approach and get smarter. If you’re struggling in the market
you might benefit from getting some guidance and support.
