Job seekers mistakes

Being a first time job seeker can be very intimidating not just because you need to navigate the tricky waters of job search but also because it’s the next stage of your life and for many the passage to adulthood.

Today’s job market is very competitive and employers are demanding even when they are recruiting for entry level positions. If you are a first time job seeker you might not anticipate the challenges that you will meet and the time it could take you to land your first job.

As an inexperienced job seeker you will for sure make several mistakes as everyone has made in the beginning of their career. From perfecting your resume to finding the right jobs to apply for and mastering the art of the job interview, there are many mistakes first time job seekers make that will prevent them from getting hired.

After all, it only takes one deadly mistake for a recruiter to reject your application and it can cost you the job even if you are perfectly qualified. But most mistakes are simple and can be easily fixed, yet, so many job seekers are depriving themselves of opportunities by repeating them over and over again.

The good news is that by following certain rules and creating a plan you could steer clear of these deadly mistakes first time job seekers make and achieve your goal faster.

Here are those deadly mistakes first time job seekers make and how to avoid them or fix them.

Starting your job search without a plan Starting your job search without a clear plan and strategy is one of the most catastrophic mistakes first time job seekers make. If you are inexperienced, you might underestimate how difficult it can be to secure an entry level job. Landing your first job is as demanding and time consuming as finding the right course to study, so you must organise your job search first.

You have to determine which methods are best for your needs, from attending networking events and job fairs to scanning online job boards. How many hours a day will you spend job hunting? How are you going to prepare for job interviews?

Having a daily to-do list will make the job search process less overwhelming. Moreover set weekly goals and make sure that you track the effectiveness of your strategy to help you find a great job as fast as possible. For example one of your goals might be to send 15 applications and have at least 2-3 job interviews every week. If you are not achieving these goals, you might want to rethink your approach.

A well-researched plan can make you feel more confident and in control and will help you find a fulfilling job.

Overvaluing your degree Another mistake graduates are guilty of making is believing that a good degree from a top university will instantly open doors for them. Degrees are sometimes overrated compared to actual hands on experience.

Don’t expect recruiters to be impressed with you and offer you a great job immediately. Although a good degree will definitely be one of the requirements, but it is probably not the most important one as most recruiters are looking for relevant experience even for entry level positions.

So overvaluing your degree to the point that you fail to include other significant achievements in your application or invest time in gaining practical experience will not help you stand out in a job market full of talented graduates.

Internships, awards, interesting projects and part-time jobs can make you look like a promising candidate. Your goal should be to prove how your skills and experience have prepared you for the role you are applying for and how determined you are to succeed. So don’t neglect to populate your resume with other relevant and interesting information about yourself apart from your educational background.

Being too picky in your job search Are you approaching job search like dating? You might have created a long list of requirements for your dream job and immediately exclude jobs that don’t match your criteria. That is one of the common mistakes first time job seekers make.

Unfortunately, when it comes to job hunting, this approach will deprive you of opportunities to advance your career and will limit your chances of landing your first job. Although you shouldn’t be too desperate, you need to keep your options open and consider different alternatives.

Your first job might not pay as much as you’d like to and will probably not be as glamorous as you wished, but it can be a way to gain experience and get closer to your dream job.

Don't be too picky in your job search and write off part-time jobs before reading the job description If you play a pivotal role in a small team and take on a lot of responsibilities you are more likely to gain invaluable experience that will then help you get a better full time job. Also since many companies tend to hire part-time or temporary employees, starting in a part-time or contract role can be your entry point to a company you target.

Don’t put extra pressure on yourself by setting expectations too high. Instead of only considering positions that would qualify as your dream job, look for jobs that will allow you to learn and network.

Not utilising networking techniques

According to many surveys, the majority of vacancies- up to 80%- are filled through networking. Therefore it is crucial for young job seekers to start developing their network early and use it effectively to land their first job.

For inexperienced job seekers, networking might feel uncomfortable and even scary. Having to approach people and ask them for a job can be a very intimidating thought. But that is one of the misconceptions of effective networking. To build a strong professional network you should focus more on what you have to offer rather than try to exploit your contacts.

If you think that because you are only at the beginning of your career you can’t have valuable contacts think again. From professors, to alumni, to your parents and friends, you definitely know more people than you think, people who don’t only have the experience but also have the willingness to advise you.

Don’t hesitate to ask family members, friends or mentors for an introduction in case they know people who work for the companies you target. You can even use LinkedIn to connect with recruiters or your alumni and ask for guidance. Getting feedback and advice from those working in the sector you’d like to enter can make a big difference in your career and help you avoid common mistakes first time job seekers make.

Using the same generic resume for every single application One of the deadliest mistakes first time job seekers make is using the same generic resume to apply for multiple positions. Competition is fierce among new graduates so if you don’t make a great first impression with your application, you won’t have the opportunity to attend an interview.

Recruiters can easily understand if you’ve customised your CV and cover letter for each position. If you haven’t taken the time to craft an application according to the needs of prospective employers you won’t stand out. More than that, a generic resume can be perceived as indifference to the position, lack of attention to detail or even laziness.

If you really want the job you should take the time to customise your CV and cover letter If you really want the job and feel that you are the uniquely qualified you should help recruiters make the connection between the job description and your skills by customising your application. Prove that you have the expertise and motivation to succeed and that you have excelled in similar roles in the past.

For busy hiring managers, who will just skim your CV and decide if they are going to place it on the yes or no pile, time matters. A presentable resume without irrelevant information will help the reader identify your unique selling points. So emphasise on your relevant experience including measurable results and make it as easy as possible for them to understand your professional history.

Using social media the wrong way According to a recent survey, 96% of recruiters have used social media to find qualified candidates. From checking your online presence before a job interview to actively using social media for recruiting purposes, more and more organisations have incorporated social media into their hiring process.

But unfortunately, being a digital native does not necessarily mean that you recognise the value and power of social media as a job search tool. A large number of new graduates have not crafted the online presence of someone respectable whom many organisations would want to recruit. This is one of the mistakes first time job seekers make often and can cost you the job.

When working for an organisation, you represent that organisation even outside of working hours Anything that can be misinterpreted and can compromise your integrity or work ethics should be removed as it can really be a deal breaker for recruiters. From deleting inappropriate images and rude comments about your previous manager to avoiding posts about weird hobbies, your profile should highlight the good qualities of your character and let your personality shine. If you don’t want to share your political or religious views with prospective employers you should consider changing your privacy settings.

Recruiters and hiring managers will evaluate the way you position yourself online. From the number of your connections on LinkedIn to the interesting industry related posts you share on Facebook and Twitter, your online presence can elevate your entire profile as a job seeker.

Investing time in creating a carefully curated online presence is going to help you make a great first impression as your LinkedIn profile or even your Facebook account is a digital version of your CV. So the better it is, the more chances you have to secure a great job. By adopting a proactive approach, you can use social media to your advantage.

Not preparing for a job interview Getting invited to a job interview is probably the most nerve-racking step of the hiring process. There are many mistakes first time job seekers make as they sometimes underestimate how competitive it can be to actually get a job offer.

One of the worst ways to sabotage yourself is by neglecting to prepare for an interview. The interview stage is your opportunity to close the deal by impressing the hiring manager more than any other candidate. Don’t leave things to luck.

Try to prepare the best way you can to maximise your chances of successfully securing your first job A knowledgeable candidate with a good grasp of the industry trends is going to stand out and even appear more likeable. Recruiters can easily tell if you haven’t done your research or if you are not particularly interested in supporting the organisation’s mission and will be put off by unprepared candidates.

Just by doing a quick research online, you should be able to find the company’s annual plan, new product launches or relevant news stories. Learn more about the story of the organisation and its competitors. Read the job description and identify the challenges and problems they would like to solve by hiring a new employee. Then demonstrate how you are the perfect person for the job, uniquely qualified to help them achieve their goals.

The best way to beat anxiety before an interview is to develop a good understanding of the company’s target markets and products and be prepared for even the most difficult questions. A well-informed and confident candidate is more likely to build rapport with the interviewers and get a job offer.

Not negotiating your salary or not managing expectations Salary negotiations can be one of the trickiest parts of the hiring process for everyone but for young job seekers it can be really challenging as your first salary could affect your future earnings as well.

There are many mistakes first time job seekers make when negotiating the salary for their first job. Some candidates will come to the table with high expectations and as a result, they will ask for too much while others will start negotiations from a low number out of fear of coming across as unreasonable. There are also job seekers who might want the job so much that they don’t negotiate at all, depriving themselves of a decent salary for their hard work.

To be honest this is always going to be one of the difficult questions but being prepared will help you feel more comfortable with your answers. Online research can help you understand what most employers are willing to pay for someone with your qualifications. By understanding what is the industry standard and doing some market research in advance you can position yourself within reasonable limits and justify your answer.

If you are lucky enough to know someone who works for the organisation, do ask for their help as they should be able to give you some insights into the organisation’s salary negotiations approach. But even your mentor or an experienced employee could help you improve your negotiation skills so that to find the right balance between expressing what you think is fair but still maintaining a polite manner.

Don’t focus too much on the money, but don’t be afraid to negotiate either. Remember although the salary that you will get is important it might not be as crucial as the experience that you will gain from your first job.

Which of these deadly mistakes first time job seekers make, have you made? Leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

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