4 Costly Job Search Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

We have all had that point in the job search process where we almost gave up. How would you feel when regardless of your efforts to secure a job, nothing is coming by?

This is what Anastacia Mwongeli is going through as seen in her email.

“I have been looking for a job for the longest time ever without success. I have sent hundreds of job applications but never gotten any response from my potential employers. What could I be doing wrong in my job search? Please advise me because I am on the verge of giving up.”

If you find that your job search is taking longer like the case of Anastacia, there is a chance that you are doing it wrong.

In order to turn the situation around, you need to avoid these common mistakes when job searching.

4 Common Job Search Mistakes

You do not have a plan
According to Brian Kariuki, the Country Manager at Travel Start, most job seekers do not have a clear strategy when looking for a job.

You don’t just wait for the last minute to find a job and that is why preparation is very important.

A good way to improve on your job search methods is to have a clear plan and goal in mind. Envision where you want to be in the future and once you do, search for the available opportunities that will help you achieve those goals.

Staying organized while applying for jobs is very essential. Start by building a list of your contacts that will be of help in the search. This way you will know who to contact when looking for a certain position.

Failing to network
Many job seekers underestimate the power of networking and that is why they lack simple networking techniques.

Go for career fairs or any events related to your field of study and step out of your comfort zone by approach potential employers. You may be surprised to find out an employer is interested in you and this is your chance to sell yourself.

Setting your expectations too high is a common job search mistake
One of the most common mistakes job seekers make when looking is setting the bar too high.

Just because you are a graduate does not mean that your first job has to be a six figure salary. In this tough economic times, focus on gaining work experience which will keep you a notch higher.

Letting rejection discourage you
As you look for the right job, rejections are inevitable and how will handle them will determine your job search success.

Taking a job rejection personally will leave you discouraged and set you many steps back. Take any criticism and use it to improve on selling yourself and better your chances of getting the job.