It’s never easy job hunting. It takes a lot of patience and determination to find the perfect job for you, but it is even more complicated when making mistakes along the way. Of course, we all make them: typos on your resume or cover letter, saying something inappropriate in an interview, ranting at your boss. But these mistakes will not only cost you job opportunities; they’ll also affect how employers perceive you when they come across your application materials in future job searches. In this post, I will share 11 embarrassing mistakes to avoid during your job search so you can get hired!
Having your parents call
I will never forget when a job candidate’s mother called to find out why her daughter didn’t get hired. Even more, the mom begged and pleaded to reconsider the hiring decision. A job search mistake to avoid is having your parents call the hiring manager.
Not researching the company before the interview
You need to prepare for the job interview, which includes knowing about the company and the role you are applying for. It is an embarrassing job search mistake to show up unprepared to answer basic questions about the organization. You can research the company to discover what it does and how it operates by going through its website. Additionally, find their social media accounts and scroll through them to gain insight into their brand. Research the job for which you are interviewing by reviewing the posting or job description. Learn about what the company wants from its employees to make sure your resume meets the job requirements. The more you know about the job and company, the more confident you will feel when entering that job interview.
Getting aggressive during your job search is a mistake
Don’t send a barrage of emails and leave multiple voicemails to follow up on the status of your application. Additionally, avoid repeatedly calling to get the results of your interview. Above all, don’t get aggressive during the interview when trying to sell yourself to the hiring manager.
Not linking your skills to the needs of the job
Hiring managers are looking for an ideal candidate profile. As a result, it is critical to link your training and experience to the job description. Your resume should show the hiring manager you meet their ideal candidate profile. If they have to guess or wonder if you are a fit, they will reject your application. Avoid this embarrassing job search mistake by making clear connections between your experience and the demands of the job.
Failing to sell yourself is a job search mistake
The job interview is all about showcasing your features, benefits, and how you will solve the problem the job description solves for the organization. Therefore, it is an embarrassing job search mistake to not sell yourself during the interview. Show up prepared to tell a story about the problems you have solved and the results you delivered. Explain the situation, task, actions you took, and results achieved to give a complete picture of your capabilities.
Not returning messages promptly
If you let too much time pass from when a recruiter contacts you to when you respond, you could lose out on an interview. Avoid this embarrassing job search mistake by responding the same day the recruiter messages you.
Not knowing your story
You, more than anyone, know your story. It is an embarrassing job search mistake if you are unable to answer basic questions about yourself. What book are you reading? How do you spend your free time? What passion projects are you working on? Prepare the story of you ahead of the interview to avoid interview jitters that will cause you to forget how to answer these questions.
Using buzzwords and acronyms is a job search mistake
Every company has its language and acronyms. Even more, most recruiters are often removed from that language. So it doesn’t impress them, more importantly, it doesn’t tell them anything. It is an embarrassing job search mistake to use buzzwords and acronyms. Instead, use layman terms that everyone understands.
Showing up late or too early
If you are running late or stuck in unexpected traffic, don’t bother showing up to the interview. It is an embarrassing mistake to arrive late during your job search. Hiring managers want to hire people who will show up on time and are ready to work. Additionally, being too early puts pressure on the hiring manager to drop what they are doing to meet with you. I once had someone show up an hour early, and even then, they weren’t prepared.
Speaking negatively about your current or former bosses
No matter how toxic or incompetent your boss was, it is an embarrassing job search mistake to bring that baggage with you to an interview. There are always two sides to the story, and you don’t want the hiring manager to think you are a difficult employee. Instead, speak neutrally and focus on what you learned from the experience.
Not showing enthusiasm for the job is a mistake
Imagine yourself in the recruiter’s shoes. They are conducting interview after interview, meeting with hundreds of people daily. Not showing enthusiasm for the job is an embarrassing mistake to make during your search. Instead, show excitement for the role, the organization, and the person conducting your interview. As a result, the time they spend with you will be more memorable.
Regardless of how desperate companies are to hire, you need to avoid these embarrassing job search mistakes. Instead, research, connect your experience to the job description, show up on time, and demonstrate excitement for the opportunity. Share your embarrassing job search mistake in the comments below.
