February 19, 2019

Finding a new job is not for the faint of heart. It’s no secret it takes plenty of time and lots of patience. From carefully crafting your resume and cover letter, to scouring the internet for job opportunities, to brushing up on your interview technique—you may start to feel worn out even before you land an interview. You’d never want to spend any of your valuable time in vain, so make sure you take steps to make the most of your job search.

Steer Clear of These Five Job Search Pitfalls

You’re trying to make the best impression, so you want to show your very best self to the world (i.e., your recruiter, potential employer or hiring manager). The key here is to just be careful. And while you’re at it, pay close attention to the following:

  1. A never ending resume. You don’t want to go overboard with too much information. List only the most relevant jobs in your work history and just the past 5–10 years. A section with your hobbies and interests is not necessary. Summarize and include bullet points to help organize information.
  2. A professional summary that’s all about you. Your resume should be about you… sort of. In your professional summary, frame what you did in relation to how you helped past employers: What you accomplished (with numbers, if you can), how you improved processes and procedures, major projects that moved the company forward, etc. This makes it easy for a potential employer to imagine how you could help them.
  3. A generic resume and cover letter. You should always tailor your job search documents to match the job to which you’re applying. That means spike out your most relevant skills, qualifications and work experience. A generic resume and cover letter may land you in the “no thank you” pile.
  4. Inappropriate interview attire. Don’t underdress, and make sure your clothes and shoes are clean. Get a fresh haircut and don’t overdo it with jewelry or fragrance. In most cases, you can’t go wrong with a basic suit—you’ll look sharp and professional.
  5. A bad attitude. During your interview, it’s important to be polite: To the parking attendant, the receptionist, the interviewer and anyone else you meet. When you first meet your interviewer, shake hands, smile and be confident. Keep a positive attitude during your interview and never complain or badmouth a past employer or boss. At the end of your interview, thank the interviewer for their time and give another handshake.

You Get Out What You Put In

If you make the effort to do a great job on your job search, you’ll be more likely to yield the best results. But if you find you’re having a hard time locating opportunities, or you have questions about the job search process, you can get all the help you need working with a recruiter.

Contact Inter-Connect!

We’ll work with you to find your next job—quickly and easily. Inter-Connect specializes in light industrial and office placements, and we’re looking for you! To learn more, contact us today or browse our open jobs!

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