Successfully working a job search takes skill, just like everything else you’ll do in your professional career. Even after a person has made the investment into education, sought additional professional development, and perhaps spent additional time on the job training, acquiring basic job search skills isn’t an area in which most of us receive formal preparation.
If you’re on the ‘learning curve’ in a new job search – either as a recent college graduate, because you’re back in the market after years of experience in a single position, or even after a longer employment search – then you’ll want to brush up on your hunting skills. Sometimes the easiest way is to learn from the experiences of others, so today we’re sharing a list of the most common job search mistakes we’ve seen and heard about.
When you’re ready to begin a job search in the tech industry, avoid making these most common mistakes.
Mistake #1: Your resume is ineffective. It’s either too long, too formal, or just out of date. You want to create a resume that’s concise, and is focused on your accomplishments. Be sure also to update it with the links your websites, portfolio, and social media sites.
Mistake #2: You’re not helping employers to understand how your experience will relate to their needs. Good communication and “soft skills” are so critical for job searchers today. For every potential interview, you should know how your skills will provide value to their organization. You should also be ready for interviews with a list of strengths.
Mistake #3: You haven’t checked your references. Only include references that you’re sure will be effective. Don’t use your current company email, phone, or computer for a job search. These common errors can put you in the awkward position of unexpectedly having to explain a job search to a current employer – and that’s not a good situation to be in if you want a positive reference.
Mistake #4: You haven’t searched yourself online. Don’t let an unflattering or non-existent online presence create a gap for hiring managers. Tech professionals are expected to be savvy about their image online. A professional presence on social media or through a personal website will help to distinguish you from the pool of applicants.
Mistake #5: You’re not working your network. It’s best to establish good professional ties before you need them, but it’s never too late to reach out to potential contacts in your network of family, friends, former colleagues and peers. You can also accomplish this by volunteering, working on a side project, or freelancing. Your goal here should be to build inroads with people and organizations before they need talent.
Mistake #6: You’re taking ‘No’ for an answer. This can happen in multiple ways: You might not be following up after the first contact, or failing to apply for jobs that aren’t listed. These are a passive form of “no” that people think they’re getting, when a little polite persistence can pay off. It’s okay to be proactive about looking for contacts and respectfully following up with people – and it could lead you to a great opportunity you might have missed otherwise.
Bonus tip: For more ideas to focus your job search, be sure to get in touch with us at Market Street Talent! We’re always happy to hear from talented tech professionals seeking new opportunities. Be sure to visit us online, or through our social media sites on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Linkedin. We look forward to hearing from you!