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There are a number of ways that you can give yourself the edge when looking for a job, but there are also a number of ways that you can ruin your chances. There are some common mistakes that people make when trying to get the job of their dreams. By knowing what these mistakes are you can ensure that you avoid them.
Applying Without A Plan
If you are currently unemployed then you may think that applying to every available job will maximize your chances of finding something. The truth is that this will actually not help you and could distract you from going after the jobs that you have a chance with. Lisa Arnold, director of recruiting at Versique, states that people who think they need to consider everything and anything are doing themselves a disservice. People who are general in looking for a job or talking about what they have done are generally left behind in the employment market. It is best that you find a job you really want and consider what you need to do to get it.
Ignoring Your Online Presence
When you are looking for a job, having a strong and professional online presence is important. Arnold states that many of her clients use a number of tools to complete due diligence on the candidates for their jobs. Hiring managers will often ask about how many connections someone has on LinkedIn and an online presence is really starting to matter.
It is important that you look through your social network account and make them professional. You should also look at sharing information about your field to show hiring managers that you are up to date with the industry. The information you share should relate to current issues within the industry.
Making A Laundry List Resume
A lot of people have a resume that is simply a travelogue of where they have spent their working years. This step-by-step guide to your past jobs is not compelling or useful to hiring managers. You should instead highlight positions and dates, talk about the skills you gained during the time, the problems that you solved and any recognition that you gained because of this. You should make the resume more about actions instead of descriptions because this offers a clear message to the hiring managers.
Not Researching The Company
While this might sound like common sense there are a lot of people who do not research the company they are applying to. It is important that you take the time to research the company to see its core mission, the strengths and the challenges it faces. Look to see if the company has been in the news recently and why it has been in the news. Your cover letter will let people know if you know anything about the company and you need to do some homework before you go to an interview.
Underestimate Your Value
Once you have found the job that you want, fixed your resume and online presence and done your research you need to ensure that you do not settle for less than you deserve. You need to find out what similar jobs pay and what opportunities for advancement you may have. A lot of people settle for less than what they deserve and this will affect the entire profession and your career path.
If you’re interested in a new job then it might be worth checking out these jobs from PSR Solutions. They have a wide range of careers and are well worth looking into.
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