Don’t Make Looking For A Job Difficult

by | 01.04.21

The competition for jobs is fierce so if you are unwittingly making a mistake or two in your job search or in interviews and are receiving rejections its perfectly normal to feel frustrated and defeated while on the lookout for a new job. Although an unsuccessful job search can be frustrating, accepting any old job or giving up your job search altogether isn’t the answer. There are ways off this slippery slope and a few things you can do to make sure you’re successful in your job search. To help you out I’ve highlighted common problems people face when searching for a job and way you can overcome them, here we go:

Having no clear direction

If you have a scattergun approach to job hunting, you’re unlikely to be very successful. So, if you are firing off twenty applications a day in the hope that you will get an interview with at least one of them, you probably need to take a step back and rethink your approach. Pay close attention to job specifications and make sure you have the required skills and experience needed for the role. That way you will be focusing on jobs you are perfectly capable of doing and will have a better chance of getting an interview and ultimately a job offer

Not beating the vetting process

Most employers have a vetting process system in place to sift candidate CVs they receive. Large corporate organisations use what is called an ATS selection system (application tracking system) By relying on the power of ATSs HR Managers source suitable candidates for their positions based on keyword matches. It’s easy for candidates to be rejected by ATSs but you could be successful if you address a few issues, before firing off your application look at the job description and you will see key words in the “experience needed” and “skills needed” section and make sure you use these key words in your CV. Smaller companies use human selection obviously and to get through that you need a good CV, no more than two pages, which should clearly state your experience, skills and education. Most importantly your experience should match the job you are applying for.

Being billy no-mates

In today’s job market a referral provides you with a good chance of landing a job. Many employers have an employee referral programme where their employees are paid a bonus for recommending someone for a job. Not only is this a cheaper alternative to recruiting but it is also something you could benefit from. Furthermore, by talking to friends and relatives you may discover that there is an opening at their company, and they might be able to recommend you. If you are “billy no-mates” consider attending networking events, starting a LinkedIn page and sourcing contacts visa social media.

Forgetting to send a cover letter

A new job seeker may not realise how important a cover letter is when making a job application. Many people assume a cover letter won’t be read and that it would be a waste of time. Whilst some HR Managers won’t read your letter, some will, so you shouldn’t not send one. A cover letter gives a glimpse of your personality, your work ethic and your attention to detail in a way that a CV can’t. Although most job ads won’t specify a cover letter is required you should always write one to accompany your CV anyway. That said don’t just write any old letter, the letter should tell the employer what experience and skills you have to offer them.

You lack confidence

Lack of confidence is the largest hindrance to getting a job. If you lack confidence in yourself and your skills, you won’t be able to sell yourself to a potential employer. To help you be more confident you should be more prepared than you need to be. Study the job description carefully, know what you’re applying for. Match your skills with what the employer is looking for and be prepared to tell the employer about your previous role and how your experience matches what they need. Also practice interviews with friends and family, going through questions you could be asked. Remember without adequate preparation, you won’t have the confidence to win a job offer.

Relying solely on job adverts

While job adverts are a useful source of opportunities, you shouldn’t rely solely on them to get a new job. Instead, why not make a list of top employers in your area and check their websites for vacancies. You’re likely to find something this way that could be right for you. Also don’t forget Agencies, they get jobs which are never advertised. You should also spend a lot of time on LinkedIn when searching, many jobs are advertised there.

Being lazy about your CV

A common mistake job seeker make is only having one version of their CV and sending this out to all jobs that they apply for. This is neither effective nor productive as different jobs require different skills. So instead of having a one-size-fits- all CV, create a different bespoke version for each position you’re interested in and capable of doing. Don’t re-write the entire document, you can simply amend or tweak your work experience section to suit the job. You may want to emphasise different skills for different opportunities.

Relying on others

Don’t rely on others to get you a job, it’s up to you to find one. Whilst Agencies are a great way of finding a new role, you shouldn’t rely solely on them. At the end of the day whilst you are important to an Agency their number one priority is their clients. Think about it, an Agency only gets paid a fee when they fill an employer’s vacancy, so their emphasis is on filling jobs not finding jobs for candidates, there is a subtle different. An Agency will ensure they find a good match for their clients and not necessarily have the right job for you

Not chasing

If you are guilty of not following up on applications, you have made then you need to sort yourself out. It’s very common for job seekers to send an application and then wait for weeks on end without hearing anything. So, although you think your work is complete after sending your CV and cover letter, its only just begun. There is no harm in sending an email or making a phone call to check on the status of your application. In fact, it can actually put you at the forefront of the interview list as it shows you’re committed to getting a job. Don’t be a stalker though – no one likes a stalker.

Having no clear goals

There are many situations that force us to look for a new job. At the moment the most common is being made redundant due to covid and employers letting people go because they are having to make cutbacks.  When you find yourself unemployed it’s important that you have goals. It’s very common to feel pressured into accepting the first job offer that comes your way without actually thinking about your goals. To make sure you always stay on track when looking for a new job you should make a list of the top three things that are important to you. It could be salary or location or type of business you want to work for. Whatever it is make sure you list your top three definite requirements. If a job doesn’t seem like it will match your needs, move onto something that will. Although you might feel you will never find what you truly want to do, with the right amount of work, your ideal job is within arm’s reach.

So, there you go, you are human we all make mistakes, we all sometimes make things difficult for ourselves. I’m not saying finding a job at the moment is easy but if you are focused and concentrate on what your objective is you can make it easier on yourself.

Good Luck

Angela Burton