By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Debra Wheatman
Many job search candidates spend innumerable hours pursuing employment opportunities; yet many do not achieve the desired results. Having worked with thousands of people trying to obtain positions of increased responsibility in their chosen industry or field, I have encountered the following common mistakes, resulting in failure to achieve optimal outcomes:
No organized search strategy: You need a plan. Keep yourself organized with a list of things you need to do on a daily basis. This list will allow you to focus your efforts in the areas that require your full attention. Would you go to the supermarket without a list of things you need? If you do, I will guarantee you forget to buy something or purchase things you don’t need. Your job search works in a similar fashion. The list will allow you to plan for a successful campaign.
No record keeping: It is important to keep a list or spreadsheet of some kind so you can review to whom you have sent your resume or the contacts made. There is no possibility of you being able to recall all of the companies or people that you have contacted – let alone those that may have contacted you. Without a record, you might miss an opportunity, or worse be unprepared when someone does reach out to you. Make sure you keep names, dates, and details of discussions you had. Your records will allow you to follow-up when appropriate and supports your organized approach (see above.)
No use of diverse search methods: You cannot simply apply online and think the calls are going to roll in. A job search requires far more effort than the use of the Internet. The following must be done to ensure a successful campaign:
Identifying specific companies where you might be interested in working. Once you have a list, you should do some research to get the name of someone internally to direct your correspondence.
Conducting research regarding the names of people in senior level positions. Use trade publications and the Internet to uncover names of people. Trade publications can be a great source of information, including providing you with movement within your targeted industry.
Leveraging your network of friends and family members. Your network should also include people you meet at local networking events. You will not be able to join every group so choose wisely. Engage with people that you meet to establish relationships that can be reciprocal.
Identifying a few niche job boards where you can post your resume. You should not broadcast it on every board out there. You will look desperate.
Establishing a relationship with a few key recruiters. Like any relationship, you will need to work at maintaining contact. Recruiters definitely know the market and have contacts within the companies where them make placements. You cannot work with everyone. Make sure you choose wisely; be prepared to conduct a fair amount of follow up to keep communication lines open.
Failure to maintain a positive outlook: One of the best, and most important things you can do for yourself and your search is to develop and maintain a positive approach. Every person you meet or interact with represents an opportunity. Given people are drawn to those that are positive, a strong finish necessitates that you give positive vibes. Under no circumstances should you complain or be the picture of doom. It will take time; you will work hard – BUT in the end, the person who can remain engaged and willing to embrace a proactive and positive focus will generate results.
Enjoying this article? You could get the best career advice daily by subscribing to us via e-mail.Failure to follow-up: Your search requires you reach out to people on an ongoing basis, including people you have already spoken with. To remain top of mind, it is imperative you have a plan to conduct follow-up. This doesn’t mean you should constantly call or email people. Following-up is a strategy too. If you are keeping your notes and remain organized, you will have the dates that you contacted people and can space your interactions so you remain memorable without being overbearing.
Failure to prepare for your interviews: Preparing for your interviews is important to ensure you are successful. You should be reviewing information about the company and position, and studying your resume so you are prepared to discuss the information in detail. Do some research on commonly asked interview questions so you can answer appropriately if someone throws you “What is your greatest weakness?” question. Make sure you are able to connect your achievements to how you will make an impact in a new role.
Poor appearance and grooming: You should dress to impress during your job search. This means that you should be dressed in a suit when you interview. Even if the company has a dress down policy, you are not yet part of the group. First impressions are lasting ones. If you go into the interview looking sloppy and unkempt, you are not going to make a positive or lasting impression on your audience – except that you did not look the part.
You have the power to establish a strong job search strategy. With a plan, you can and will achieve your goals. Preparation is half the battle; your winning is entirely predicated on how you establish and implement your program!
Did you enjoy this article? Read more articles by this expert here.CAREEREALISM Expert, Debra Wheatman has more than 20 years' experience developing career road maps to achieve professional success. Having coached thousands of clients, and written more than 10,000 résumés, Debra understands the importance of proper career planning. She has successfully helped clients negotiate improved compensation and positions in leading organizations. Follow Debra on Twitter.The photo for this article is provided by Shutterstock.
Are you terrified of screwing up a job interview? Does the thought of writing a cover letter horrify you? Are you scared to network with others? What do you even say, anyway? If you're struggling to overcome your job search fears, this live event is for you.
We get it. Looking for work can be scary, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time and haven’t gotten any results.
Understanding which fears are getting in the way and how to overcome them will make all the difference. Sometimes you might not be aware of which obstacle is getting in the way of your goals. If you want to overcome these fears once and for all, we invite you to join us!
In this training, you’ll learn how to:
Utilize strategies for coping with your job search fears
Be confident in your job search—from writing your resume to networking
Face your fears and move forward
Join our CEO, J.T. O'Donnell, and Director of Training Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this live event on Wednesday, October 5th at 12 pm ET.
CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? That's okay. You'll have access to the recording and the workbook after the session!
True or false? Recruiters don't read cover letters.
Most people may think this is true, but guess what? They're wrong!
Recruiters do, in fact, read the good cover letters.
So, what does that tell us? If most people don't hear back from recruiters, and recruiters only read good cover letters, that means a majority of cover letters aren't written well and, therefore, don't stand out to them.
That may be hard to hear, but it's the truth.
CRITICAL Cover Letter Mistakes
Often, there's WAY too much "blah, blah, blah" and "brag, brag, brag" going on in a cover letter. If you write a cover letter that only focuses on how great you are, recruiters are going to toss it.
Why? Because it's exactly like all the other cover letters they've read.
Think about it. Why should they think you're incredible when they've read hundreds of other cover letters saying other people are incredible, too?
If you want to stand out in the hiring process, you MUST have an attention-grabbing cover letter. This an important tool to have, and one that shouldn't be glossed over. In some cases, your cover letter can hold more power than your resume. That's huge, right?
Getting Personal On Your Cover Letter
Bigstock
Because the cover letter holds so much power, you need to know how to write one that stands out from the rest. One way to do that is to show a personal connection with the employer.
So, how exactly do you do that?
You can explain how you learned that what they do is special. Showing them that you personally connect with their brand will make you memorable.
Another thing you can do is tell them what it was like the first time you used their product or service. That also shows recruiters that you understand the company and that you believe in what they do.
Lastly, you can tell them about an overall life experience that helps you feel connected to their tribe. This shows that your values and beliefs align with theirs.
The big fact here is that the more personal the cover letter, the better! When you have a cover letter that really has recruiters at "hello," you know you have their heart AND their mind engaged.
Creating That Crucial Connection
Bigstock
The reason you want to get personal in your cover letter is because you want to create an emotional connection with a recruiter. Once you establish that connection, you're not just a piece of paper anymore.
This is what we at Work It Daily call a disruptive cover letter. Why? Because it disrupts the reader and gets them to snap out of autopilot mode and really think about who you are as a candidate.
The First Step When Writing A Disruptive Cover Letter
Bigstock
The first thing you need to do is watch a quick video tutorial on how to write this kind of cover letter. You're going to want to see specific examples so that you know how you should be writing them.
Step 2: Fill Out A Simple Template
Bigstock
You'll have a template that tells you where the beginning, middle, and end of your cover letter are, and what content should be where. This gives you a great foundation for how to fill out a cover letter properly.
Step 3: Submit That Cover Letter For Review
Bigstock
Once you're done with your amazing cover letter, have someone review it.
It's always good to have a second set of eyes on this, especially someone who understands cover letters, recruiters, and the hiring process. This person should be checking grammar, spelling, etc.
So, when all is said and done, how long should it take you to craft a disruptive cover letter? The average time is between one and two hours. That may seem like a lot of time, but think of it this way: once you've built a cover letter you know will grab a recruiter's attention, you'll be able to use that cover letter format for other job opportunities. You'll just have to tweak the content in your disruptive cover letter here and there to match the company and job you're applying to.
Does The Disruptive Cover Letter REALLY Work?
Bigstock
Here at Work It Daily, we know these disruptive cover letters work. We've seen hundreds of our clients write KILLER cover letters and get calls for their dream jobs!
So, wouldn't learning how to write your own disruptive cover letter be good for your career? If so, how much would it be worth?
All of us at Work It Daily personally believe that it's priceless.
Owning your career change or job search process is a powerful thing, and we believe you can take control of that process and do incredible things.
Need more help writing a disruptive cover letter recruiters will love?
Let's face it: job search can be challenging, and staying motivated during a frustrating job search can seem impossible sometimes. However, it's critical that you stay positive. Otherwise, you risk falling into a downward spiral, which will only make things worse.
So, how can you get past your job search struggles?
Here are some tips for staying motivated during a frustrating job search:
1. Find Things You Can Get Excited About
What gets you excited? Think about your hobbies and interests. What do you do for fun in your life? Make sure you dedicate at least one day a week to doing what you love. This will help you get your mind off of the negative and focus on the things you enjoy.
Looking for a job shouldn't take up all of your time. By customizing your resume for each position you apply for and writing disruptive cover letters, you won't need to spend hours a day sending your job applications to a dozen different employers. Two or three will do.
For a strategic job search, quality is always better than quantity. It also means you'll stay motivated, won't get burnt out, and still have time to do the things you love to do. Balance is key!
2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You
Bigstock
When you're feeling down in the dumps, it's important to surround yourself with positivity. Make an effort to meet up with positive influences in your life—your family, friends, significant other, and mentors. These people will help you stay on track.
Also, surround yourself with your "virtual mentors," people who inspire you from afar. Whether they're celebrities, successful business people, or authors, keep them "nearby." Read their books or showcase their inspirational quotes. A little inspiration can go a long way.
3. Help Others
Bigstock
Helping makes us feel good! If you're feeling bad about yourself, see how you can help someone else. Volunteer. Pay it forward. Give back somehow. This will recharge you and get you in a good mood.
Another way to help others is to provide value to your professional network, whether on LinkedIn or in person. Share articles, videos, or podcasts you find inspirational, informative, and insightful. Offer to help your connections in any way you can. Chances are, they will be more than happy to return the favor, and may refer you to an open position at their company.
Never help anyone with the expectation of receiving something in return, though! If helping others keeps you motivated and makes you feel grateful for what you do have, don't stop doing it while looking for a job.
4. Get Some Exercise
Bigstock
You've got to expel that negative energy! Make sure you take time to exercise daily. Take a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Lift weights. Just get GOING! Exercising equal endorphins and endorphins make you happy.
Not having structure can make your life seem unstable. Create a plan for your week on Sunday nights. Have a schedule and stick to it. If you like to-do lists, write one of those too.
You'll feel accomplished at the end of the week when you look back and see everything you got done while making time for yourself and prioritizing your career as well as your physical and mental well-being.
Staying motivated during a frustrating job search isn't easy. We hope these tips will help you find the motivation to not only land your next job but also improve your career.
When everything feels overwhelming, just remember to work it daily! Small, consistent actions can make a big difference. Good luck out there.