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5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them

Job hunting can be overwhelming – numerous applications, nerve-wracking interviews, and the dreaded waiting game, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: a lot of the challenges you face can be avoided if you steer clear of some common mistakes. 

Whether you’re fresh out of school or a seasoned professional, dodging these common pitfalls can give you a much better shot at landing the right role.

Let’s break down the top five mistakes job seekers make—and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not Tailoring Your Resume for Each Job

Okay, let’s be honest—have you ever sent the same resume to 20 different jobs? You’re not alone. Many people do it and to be frank, this just adds unnecessary work to the hiring manager and gets you a “Sorry, you’re unsuccessful for this role” email. There really is nothing worse as a recruiter, than reading a generic resume that is not even remotely related to the job. Don’t make this mistake because we can spot a generic resume from a mile away.  

Your resume should be personalised to that particular job, meaning that you have to highlight the skills and experience that you have, which match or are close to the job advert. But it doesn’t have to be super time consuming either. 

How to fix it: 
  • Use AI to speed things up: In ChatGPT copy in the skills section of the job advert and ask it to clearly outline what skills you need for the job. Some adverts aren’t clear so this should help with any confusion. 
  • Note down the skills that you have and highlight any parallels between your skills and that of the job advert. 
  • Also note down any transferable skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. This will come in handy in the interview!

Now, list your skills with clear examples of the work you’ve done in the past that has attributed to that skill. 

For example:

  1. Time Management: Demonstrated by managing multiple deadlines across cross-functional projects, ensuring on-time delivery without compromising quality. 
  2. Problem-Solving: Successfully resolved client issues by identifying pain points and implementing practical solutions, contributing to a 15% increase in customer satisfaction ratings. 
  3. Team Collaboration: Regularly led team workshops to improve workflow efficiency, fostering an inclusive environment that encourages idea-sharing and innovation. 

Name each tailored resume with the job title that is on the job advert, your first name and something that summarises you in 2 words or less, for example: “ANNIE_Sydney_Scrum Master_of_7yrs.” You want the hiring manager to remember you, so relevance to the job is important here. 

Bonus Tip: Use the same terms they use in the job posting to increase your resume’s relevance. Stay honest and don’t embellish.

Pro Tip: If you don’t match at least 50% of what the job ad asks for, save your energy and look for a better fit.

Mistake 2: Submitting a Generic Cover Letter

A boring, one-size-fits-all cover letter is worse than no cover letter at all. Personalization is key if you want to stand out.

How to Fix It:
  • Ditch the long-winded format. Instead, keep it short and relevant. Of course, if the job advert asks you to answer specific questions, the cover letter is the perfect place to do it. 
  • Focus on these key elements:
    • Why You’re Excited About the Role: Share a genuine reason why this opportunity appeals to you. 
    • The Value You Bring: Highlight one or two key achievements or skills that make you an excellent fit. 
    • A Call to Action: Invite the employer to review your resume for more details.

Example:
Dear [Hiring Manager],
I’m excited to apply for the [Role] at [Company]. In my last role as a [Position], I [specific accomplishment], resulting in [specific result]. I’m confident I can bring this expertise to your team and would love to discuss how. My resume is attached for your review.

Mistake 3: Neglecting Your Online Presence

Employers will look you up and if your LinkedIn profile is outdated, or worse, nonexistent, it’s not a good look. Your online presence serves as a digital reflection of your professional profile. It should highlight your professional accomplishments, skills, and personality. 

Story time: When I was recruiting for a tech role a couple of years ago, the hiring manager didn’t care about anything else but the candidate’s LinkedIn profile.

Why? 

Because he wanted someone with an online presence that not only demonstrates their knowledge but that adds value to the tech community. Those who talk about their craft and their job are more likely to invest in professional development and growth. This type of employee can make a massive difference to a team and to the company in general by encouraging others to do the same and driving the increase of collaboration, innovation, and overall team performance. 

How to Fix It:
  1. Polish Your LinkedIn: Add a professional photo, update your accomplishments, and keep your profile current.
  2. Contribute to your industry on LinkedIn: Write about industry trends, news and insights showcasing your knowledge and unique perspective, backed up by your experience. If you’re new to the industry, repost important updates to keep your network informed. 
  3. Tidy Up Social Media: Delete or hide anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.
  4. Show Off Your Work: If applicable, create a portfolio or personal website to showcase your skills. 

Pro Tip: Use your newly polished LinkedIn profile to network with people in your industry! 

Mistake 4: Skipping Research Before the Interview

I don’t think you should be spending hours doing this, but spending some time to understand the type of company you are interviewing with is so important. Mostly for you. 

Maybe it’s not a good fit for YOU.  And that it should be, first and foremost. 

Throughout your research you may come across information that indicates that the type of clients that the company takes on means that the work is not suited to your pace or is not the type of work that you like doing. And that’s okay. 

You may hear some unpleasant experiences from people you know about the company or someone working there. While you should be careful not to let someone else’s experience dictate your decisions, this type of information can offer valuable insights.

Doing a little bit of research even before applying can help you make smarter, more intentional job applications. It will also enable you to address any concerns when you get to the interview process. 

Brownie points: Apart from this, recruiters and hiring managers are impressed when you’ve done research into the company and you know what they’re about. It indicates that you are interested in the role and that you want to make a good impression. Always a good sign! 

How to Fix It:
  1. Research the company, see what they do, who their clients are and what values underpin their work. Look for employee reviews on Glassdoor or similar websites. Reach out to those in your network who may have mutual connections. 
  2. Ask Smart Questions: Don’t be shy to ask questions based on your research. If you have heard something about people working long hours, ask about it! Apart from this, show genuine interest in the interview by asking things like:
  • “What are the biggest challenges facing this role right now?”
  • “How does the company support employee development?”

Mistake 5: Applying Without a Clear Strategy

You may notice a trend in this article and that is to make sure your job search efforts are intentional and purposeful. We’ve already established that applying to every job under the sun is exhausting and rarely effective. Below are some simple strategies to ensure you aren’t wasting your or the company’s time.

How to Fix It:
  1. Set Clear Goals: Be specific about the roles, industries, and locations you’re after.
  2. Stay Organised: Use a spreadsheet to track applications and follow-ups. There’s nothing worse than being caught off guard by the hiring team and forgetting which company you applied to!
  3. Network With Intention: Attend events, join online groups, and make meaningful LinkedIn connections.

Pro Tip: Less is more. A targeted, quality approach beats sending out dozens of resumes with no plan.

Wrapping Up

Avoiding these common mistakes can make a huge difference in your job search. Tailor your resume, rethink your cover letter, tidy up your online presence, do your homework on companies, and focus your efforts where they’ll matter most.Remember, job hunting isn’t about settling for any job—it’s about finding the right job. Stay confident, stay sharp, and don’t stop pushing forward. You’ve got this! 🌟

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do before starting my job search?
Define your career goals, take stock of your skills, and figure out what roles and industries excite you most.

2. How can I improve my resume?
Tailor it to each job, focus on measurable accomplishments, and keep the formatting simple and professional.

3. Why is networking important?
Networking helps you tap into unadvertised opportunities, gain industry insights, and get valuable referrals.

4. What are common interview mistakes?

  • Being unprepared.
  • Speaking poorly about past employers.
  • Giving vague answers.
  • Not asking questions.

5. How do I use LinkedIn effectively?
Optimise your profile, use ChatGPT to create , connect with industry professionals, and share relevant content to highlight your expertise.

6. How can I spot fake job postings?
Watch for red flags like vague job descriptions, requests for upfront money, or poor communication. Research the company, and trust your gut.