Updated: January 2021

As a career coach, I’ve helped hundreds of job seekers take the pain out of the job hunt and find the career path that’s best for them. While each person’s situation and goals are different, I’ve found five common mistakes nearly every job seeker makes. In this blog post I will share those 5 mistakes and some expert tips for avoiding them.

 1. Relying on Online Strategies

Online job boards and networking groups have become the new landscape for job seekers and employers. (In fact here are some of my favorite job boards). However, this doesn’t mean you should spend all your effort applying to jobs online. Submitting an online application is the one option you want to avoid.

Many employers have adopted ATS’s (read this to learn more about applicant tracking systems or ATS’s) to spend less manpower sifting through the hundreds of resumes they receive. Since job seekers tend to be unaware of robot-friendly keywords or formatting, most applications end up in the virtual trash. That’s why you’ve been getting those auto-generated rejection emails.

Expert Tip: Try Making it More Personal With Networking

Instead of spending your time hitting “send,” research the person behind the job posting. Look at your network for potential referrals. Even finding an email address attached to a human is a better option than the online route. The same goes for networking. Although networking has been “simplified” through online forums, personal relationships and connections are still more effective. Don’t neglect in-person networking events.

2. Underestimating LinkedIn

While the online landscape has complicated the application process, it has also served to benefit job seekers with the introduction of Linkedin. LinkedIn is the place to be because it offers a ton of benefits regardless of profession, level, goal or job search status (even non-job seekers need to have an optimized profile). For job seekers, this is the largest talent database, which translates to: “the place 100% of recruiters and hiring managers go to find their next hire.” For non-job seekers, LinkedIn is important because it allows you to be found for opportunities you least expect. LinkedIn is also a great resource for researching companies or career paths and managing your professional network. You don’t need to join every social network but trust me – you do need to be optimized on LinkedIn.

Watch Noelle’s LinkedIn Optimization Course Now!

3. Not Effectively Communicating Your Brand

Professional brand strategy is probably the number one area for improvement when job seekers in need, contact me. Many job seekers think of a resume, cover letter or Linkedin profile as a work history and tend to communicate a very standard, dull brand with every application. However, your application documents should be viewed as marketing materials used to paint yourself in the most desirable picture for your reader. The job market is competitive so taking time to carefully customize the best message for each application is critical for standing out in the crowd.

Expert Tip: Try Viewing Your Profile from the Hiring Manager’s Perspective

Consider your resume valuable marketing real estate, only including that which is necessary and compelling for each application. Try adding a brief headline to immediately summarize what you do and always guide your reader to the info most relevant to his/her needs.

“One of the first things I realized when working with NG Strategy was that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. As a communications professional, I had thought my resume, profile and cover letters were compelling, but when they failed to generate interviews, I decided to give NG Strategy a try as Noelle and team had been highly recommended. Within three weeks, I had new resume, a targeted cover letter and a greatly enhanced LinkedIn profile. I “get it” now…I get what you are supposed to do and how to have an edge. I have been in the work force for more than 30 years, and my career has taken me in a few directions. NG Strategy helped me to hone my skills and experience and better define my “brand” in a way I hadn’t been able to before. What they were able to accomplish in just a few weeks would have taken me months, if ever, to achieve. Wonderful people and process–and worth every penny! – Priscilla, The Works Client

4. Overlooking Job Descriptions

Creating a strong brand in many ways is driven by the hiring manager’s needs as expressed in the job description. It’s not enough to identify a job that’s a perfect fit and assume the reader will also see your fit. You must tailor your brand to the job description and that means really understanding the need the company is trying to fill. Every job description is unique and every resume you send should follow suit. Identify keywords and skills within the job description and mirror that language in your resume. Aim to communicate one message: “I am the solution to the problem you need solved.”

5. Starting Too Late

Many people assume the job hunt is a quick process but the reality is, it can last upward of six months. Even if your job search is a few years out, never be afraid to test the market or throw your hat in the ring when an opportunity comes your way. The worst that can happen is an interested employer refuses to wait until you’re ready to start. The upside is you are able to test your brand against your target role, practice interviewing, take greater risk when negotiating with interested parties, and potentially end up in an even better opportunity.

Expert Tip: Always Be Ready to Throw Your Hat in the Ring

Part of the reason people start too late is simply: procrastination. If you aren’t at the point of desperation for a new job you won’t be motivated to update your resume or LinkedIn profile. In my experience these are the two biggest reasons for job search delays. Therefore, take some time to bring your resume up to current and make sure it’s fully optimized. Also spend some time optimizing your LinkedIn profile. If you do these two simple things you’ll be more motivated to entertain new opportunities that come your way.

If you’re hoping to improve your job search and land a job in record time, check out the Job Search Accelerator. In this budget-friendly job landing community you’ll have access to all of Noelle’s expert resources including a FREE resume review, optimized resume and cover letter templates, networking scripts and templates, LinkedIn optimization courses, interview answer scripts and more – everything you need to feel confident, navigate the job search successfully, and put your best foot forward as an applicant.