10 Job Search MistakesTo Avoid
As much as you are given big books to read and assignments to do in college or university, they never teach you of how to land a job when you’ve completed your education.
Most young people always think that the grass is much greener on the other side.After graduation or in their final year, reality strikes they then realise the demanding world of job searching all by themselves. No one teaches them on how to go about job searching in result they end up making mistakes that really put them down.
Remember that most companies are in desperate need of young graduates. The reason behind that is that young people are energetic and ambitious and they get the job done. Even though grads can be in demand, no company will know about you if you not being active enough to put yourself out there.
Every mistake or problem has a solution though. Provided here are the mistakes most newly graduates or any job seekers do and should avoid at all costs.
1. Less Proactive
Sitting back and being casual on your approach of job seeking won’t get you anywhere. Create a hit list of the companies that you want to work for and target them one by one. Utilize your network.
2. Stand Out
Think to yourself, the internet is the big thing that everyone finds convenient these days so you probably one of the 2000 people applying for the same job. The best way is to stand out by making connections and networking your way up into the company you’ve applied for.
3.Network
Reach out to people, anyone you can see. Make conversations with regular people and do tell that you currently looking for a job, you never know who might help you. Your networking ability mustn’t be limited to only one aspect. Go places. See People And Talk.
4. CV
Avoid sending out a CV that ONLY list your courses , qualifications you’ve earned and your previous work experiences. Use that opportunity to make a stronger emphasized statement of what you want to do with your adult life. Most young people want to gain than to give, they lose focus of what they can say to make the employer feel considered. Stop creating CVs that are boring biographies instead market yourself, tell them what you can offer , how and why.
5. Use the internet effectively
Most young people use the internet for fun stuff, there’s nothing wrong with that but do consider having a professional and formal online connection.
6.Follow up
Hope is good but it can kill too , be a bigger person on this one. Don’t send out your CV and pray that your phone rings. Do a follow up.
7. Be realistic
This hope of finding the greener grass has disappointed many young people. They live in the idea that after graduation they are going to get the best jobs with good pay. That shouldn’t be the focus, instead of finding the perfect job focus on getting the first job. In the first job you’ll learn a whole lot of things , then as time goes you should be working your way at getting that ‘perfect’ job you have always wanted.
8. Online Reputation
Your reputation matters to your employer especially the online one.Don’t assume that your facebook privacy won’t keep curious eyes from lurking. Get rid of anything in your social networks that might make you lose the job you’ve always aspired. Have a clean professional online reputation.
9.Take Job Interviews Seriously
Remember that any job is serious paying or not, so looking and speaking professionally might gain you more points than you think. Prior the interview, research the company and find best ways to answer questions like ‘where do you see yourself in 3 years time’ or ‘ what motivates you’ and ‘what are your weaknesses’. These questions may seem easy but most people never get them across the right away even though they about them.
10. Persistance
Giving up to early and being focused more on “getting money than finding a job with more experience to gain”. That mindset may be why most graduates are unemployed, don’t be one of them. Know that with more experience comes more money. Climb the ladder and master each step.
