6 biggest mistakes job hunters are making now
September 15, 2009 · Tagged with Career and Work
1. Relying Solely on Ads and Online Job Sites
Jobs often are not advertised, and the only way to find them is by networking. “Many employers prefer not to advertise on the Internet. They prefer to fill vacancies in more personal ways. Job hunters who go on the Internet, typically only 10% or less” are successful, Bolles said.
That means finding and contacting companies that can use your skills, Kay said. “Find a live human being there that you can connect to so you’re not just another resume coming in the door.”
Contact that person via email or telephone, and say, for instance, “I understand you’re in the process of rolling out a new product. I would like to talk to you about how I can support you in this,” Kay said. Also send your resume and a letter “packed with reasons for them to want to talk to you.”
At small to mid-size firms, try simply walking in the door, resume in hand — but keep in mind that not all employers appreciate this.
“I’m a fan of physically going to the company,” said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam, a temporary staffing agency for administrative professionals and unit of Robert Half International.
“Get yourself looking professional. Walk into reception. ‘I understand you posted an ad for this. I know it said to email the resume. I personally wanted to drop one off,’” Hosking said. “It shows tremendous initiative to be able to do that. It sets you apart from 90% of job seekers out there, and it gets your resume to the top of the pile in hardcopy.”
Still, at a larger company, you’ll likely need to find somebody to drop off your resume for you, Bolles said. In that case, your network, as well as online sites such as LinkedIn can be invaluable for making connections.
2. Don’t Make Your Resume a List of Activities
Job seekers often think their resume is for listing “everything I’ve ever done in my life,” TheLadders.com’s Douzet said. “No, no, no. This is a marketing vehicle. This is your company brochure. It’s your brand statement. It’s got to tell your story.”
Focus on detailing your achievements, not listing what you’ve done. Quantify your successes, whether in dollars or time saved for your previous company, or in customers retained, experts said.
Also, your resume should be tailored to fit the company’s job description so it catches the eye of the person doing the initial resume sorting. Also, your resume’s story should parallel what you say in the interview. “When I meet with you and I’ve read your story on paper,” Douzet said, “there shouldn’t be a disconnect.”
More resume rules: Two pages maximum, and no colored paper or cute graphics, Hosking said. If you drop off your resume, use a slightly heavier paper so it stands out from the stack the company printed out from emails.