1000 things you don’t want in your job hunt
Whether you're currently unemployed or just looking for a new job, this list of things to avoid will help you avoid making the same mistakes that many other job-seekers have made. From applying for too many jobs to sending your resume in places it's not needed, here are things that could make or break your chances at finding work. Remember, if someone makes these mistakes they'll never hear back from the employer either way.
Making the first move. Too many job-hunters today are forcing the issue by sending their resume to companies online, emailing an entire company with the same cover letter, or sending a resume directly to an individual's unlisted email address. These methods might seem like a good idea at the time, but people applying in this manner are really making things difficult for themselves. If you are not assigned to any of these job positions, your status will always be "in line" — but will never progress.
Sending in two-page resumes that include a cover letter and business card for every company you've ever worked for is unacceptable. It's a waste of time and money, as well as a clear indication that you're only looking for one job. A resume is not a work of fiction; it is your story. It needs to be concise, specific and focused on the job description or position at hand.
A good rule of thumb is to try to eliminate any information from your resume that the company will not consider important before hiring you. Thus, minus five to ten percent should be taken out of the total number of words on your resume. This means using a two-page rather than a four-page resume and eliminating keywords or information that does not directly relate to the position for which you are applying. If you have much experience in a specific field, be sure to include it on your resume, but try to limit it to one or two lines at the bottom of the page.
If you must include some "job hunting trimmings" on your resume that are not part of your job-searching process (for instance, if you're looking for a teaching position), be sure that they are relevant to the position. If the job is a sales position, you probably don't need to include an extensive list of travels and other information about your career; if the job requires a medical background (and many do), again you may want to write about these experiences as part of your cover letter.
What should you include? A few key job-hunting tips: When looking for a new job, don't include any information that you wouldn't want to hear from the employer. If an employer is not interested in you, they will certainly make this clear — before they even give your resume a second glance. Don't send in the same cover letter to every company. Most employers will only read the first sentence or two, so save yourself time and be concise when applying to multiple positions.
Don't spend your time sending out dozens of resumes; you're only wasting your money and time if it goes unfilled. You can only spend so much time on the job search and sending out resumes. Focus on applying to jobs that are a good fit for your background and experience, not just ones that you think you want .
Don't use a "blind" email address when applying for jobs online. Also, try not to post your resume online; it makes it much too easy for someone to violate copyright laws. Additionally, some companies will not hire anyone who puts their resume online. Work hard and be diligent in the way that you look for employment opportunities; it will pay off in the long run.
Not following up after an interview. If a company has given you a business card, it's because they want to hear from you again. Even if they didn't say anything about returning in a follow-up call, you still need to do so; most employers won't think you're very professional if you don't. When do most companies expect to hear back? Most companies say that between five and seven days is acceptable; if nothing else, be sure to follow up with them by phone within five days of the interview.
Making the same mistakes on each resume. A lot of people are guilty of repeating their own resume when applying for multiple jobs, but this can really hurt your chances at landing any one position. If you find that you are applying for the same position a second time, you may want to rethink your marketing strategy. Make sure you're doing a good job at the first job, so that the employer won't think that there's anything disingenuous about repeating your resume on another application.
"Please call me so we can discuss our mutual interests." If this is the way you've been receiving job offers, something is wrong. Employers don't need to hear from you every one in a while; they don't care how many times they receive calls. They want to know that they aren't wasting their time calling over and over again — and again and again — if they're not going to hear anything back from your resume.
Using "bullet points" instead of a cover letter. If you're trying to get your resume past the screening process, that's great. But it doesn't mean that you should abandon the cover letter altogether. It still helps in introducing yourself and it gives you an opportunity to talk about anything that your resume might have missed.
Saying something negative about your current company (whether or not it's true). If you really want to get the job, don't do anything that would make the employer think twice about giving you a shot at the position — even if they ask you directly. It's not hard to find information about a previous employer online, and it's better to be objective than to criticize someone you are planning on working for.
Further developing your resume can also help you in your job search. Resume writing is an area where there are many different strategies, depending on your situation and career goals. This can help you make each line of your resume more effective, so that it will reach the hiring manager and catch their attention when they are looking at the other résumés on their desk. Writing a resume takes time — but is well worth it when you are ready to look for a new job. For personalized assistance in creating the perfect resume, contact us.
All information sourced from The Resume Writing Source .
About the author: Pauline was an HR professional for 10 years and has been a writer, editor, and property manager for all of her adult life. She currently manages a land development company, while also searching for employment opportunities that will allow her to live in both the United States and Canada. She can be reached at paulineem@hotmail.com or through her blog at http://pauline-s-best-practice-solutions.blogspot.com/ .
Conclusion
To summarize all of the points mentioned in this article, cover letters are proof that you are a worthy individual and potential candidate to be hired for a job. A well-written and interesting cover letter will help you stand out from the crowd and convince hiring managers that you deserve a job.
In my opinion, many people think that cover letters don't work anymore because there are so many ways for applying for jobs online instead of mailing in paper copies. However, I believe your cover letter should still be the primary way to get noticed from employers using search engines such as Google or Monster. In my next article , I will discuss how you can use your resume to get noticed by employers who are searching online or through applications submitted electronically.