01/11/2023
7 common mistakes many job seekers make that prevent them from being hired
Many job seekers are wondering why they are not getting interview calls or hearing back from the companies they have attended their interviews. The reason is not far-fetched. Many job seekers are not hearing back from the companies they have sent out their resume to or attended their interviews owing to some mistakes they have not addressed. These common mistakes have prevent many from getting the jobs they want. In this video, I will explore the most common mistakes many job seekers make and how they can get around them in order to increase the chances of landing their dream job.
Not using metrics to quantify their accomplishments: Many job seekers don’t know how to quantify their accomplishments. They are fond of listing their duties rather than using metrics to quantify their accomplishments. Keep in mind that you can quantify your accomplishments like revenue increase, customer satisfaction score, website traffic or team productivity without using vague language. Instead of saying "increased sales," say "increased sales by 15% in one year." Instead of saying "improved customer satisfaction," say "increased customer satisfaction scores by 10%." A resume or cover letter that simply lists your job duties is not very informative to potential employers. They want to know what you accomplished in your previous roles, not just what you were responsible for.
Not tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for. Before you apply for a job, take the time to tailor your resume to the position you are seeking. It means you need to highlight the accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
Not knowing what they want. Some job seekers start their job search without a clear idea of what they're looking for in a job. They may have a general idea of the industry or type of work they want to do, but they don't have specific criteria in mind. This can make it difficult for them to tailor their resumes and cover letters to each job. The question is “what do you want in a job as a job seeker? What are your skills and interests? What are your salary expectations? What kind of work environment do you want? Once you have a better understanding of what you're looking for, you can start to narrow down your job search. By taking the time to set clear job search goals, you can increase your chances of finding the right job in no distant time.
Not having an online presence: Some job candidates don't realize the importance of having an online presence. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 60% of employers conduct social media research on job seekers, and more than half are hesitant to hire candidates who have no online presence. They think their resume is enough. Your resume is important, but it's not the only thing employers look at. They want to get a better understanding of who you are as a person and whether you're a good fit for their company. Your online presence can give them that information. You don’t have to worry about your privacy if that’s your concern. There are ways to have a professional online presence without sharing too much personal information. You can adjust your privacy settings on social media and only share information that you're comfortable with. You can create a professional LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the most popular social media platform for professionals. Make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date, and that it highlights your skills and your experience. In addition to that, make sure you are active on social media. Share interesting and relevant content, and engage with other professionals in your field. Just be careful not to share anything that could be considered unprofessional. You can even go a step further by creating a personal blog to showcase your work, share your thoughts on your industry, and build your personal brand.
Not sending a thank-you note: A thank-you note is a simple way to show your appreciation for the interviewer's time and to reiterate your interest in the position. It's also a good opportunity to address any questions or concerns that you forgot to mention during the interview. Sending a thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview shows that you're proactive and eager about the position. You don’t want to assume that the interviewer will contact you if he is interested in you as many job seekers will envisage. Besides, following up can give you a chance to address any issues you didn’t raise during the interview. If you haven't heard back from the interviewer within a week or two, you can send a follow-up email. In your follow-up email, be polite and respectful. You can mention that you're following up on your previous application, and that you're still very interested in the position. Don't send too many follow-up emails, as this can be annoying to the interviewer.
Not researching the company: It can be difficult to answer questions about how you would contribute to the company's success if you don’t take the time to learn about their mission,
