7 Don’ts to Turn your Job Search into a Success!

In searching for a job many people can unfortunately succumb to these vices when job searching. Learning to turn these job searching vices into virtues will greatly increase your chance of finding employment, and possibly a happy work life!

1. Don't do too much! Trying to place everything into your resume or job application.

When you create a resume and cover letter, or fill out a job application and it is full of positive messages about yourself, you may feel like a winner. But, sometimes when writing your resume, especially if you’re an experienced worker, the temptation to go overboard and talk about how awesome you is overwhelming.   Hiring managers and employers want to hire people who have quantifiable and transferrable skills.

2. Don’t be too proud! Declining job a job offer that you feel is beneath you, not worth your time, or even job-hunting services offered to you.

Take advantage of every professional and community resource available to you and ask for help when you hit a dead end. Job hunting in today's marketplace is very challenging and you need every advantage.

3. Don’t overdo it! Applying for too many jobs and not using a targeted search for your skills.

When job searching, there can be an overwhelming surge of emotion to find a job or any job. Instead of applying to any and everything, it would be wise to target your lust and desire toward jobs that align with your skills. In some cases where there are not many jobs that align with your skills, you may need to think out the box and see where they can transfer into other job opportunities. If you are able to see opportunities where there were none before, you have not only kept hope alive, but your desire to find a job contained and intact. 

4. Don’t be too greedy. Being stingy with your skill development, learning, and creativity but over indulgent in requesting your wants for the perfect job.

When I am assisting people at various libraries across South Carolina, the appearance of greed rears its head when wanting the perfect job. It important to keep in mind that it is great that a person should pursue their goals and dreams. But there is a price that has to be paid to obtain it all. Did you take the time to develop your skills, learn a new technique, and advance your creative thoughts? If not, it could mean you want it all, without putting in the hard work that is required. Some people will tell you that you're crazy for wanting more and that you should just be grateful for what you have. But does going after your dream job in your life and being grateful have to be a dilemma?

5. Don’t be envious.  Obsessing about those who have jobs, careers, or duties who you feel may be non-deserving of those positions.

Taking the position of constantly saying, “I don’t have”, will cause a loss of sense or self worth. Try to evaluate what you want to do, and head in that direction.  Turn your envy into inspiration, admiration, and ingenuity.

6. Don’t get upset. Becoming enraged you were turned down for job or feeling angry about the lack of prospects.

Although the degree of anger varies from person to person, many people get "stuck" feeling bitter and resentful after a firing, termination, layoff, closing or lack of job opportunities and can't begin to job hunt effectively. This occurs frequently with people who aren't able to grieve about what has occurred. Some people find it easier to blame their former employers and to feel victimized than to accept what happened.

It’s better if you can think differently about your situation; you may see other possibilities for yourself. In other words, grieve and then begin to look at your situation with lessons learned and let go of the past.

7. Don’t be lazy. Procrastinating on critical job search tasks.

If you're tired or in a rut, try to brainstorm with a friend or counselor and identify some solutions to your job search problem. Maybe you are afraid that people might reject you.  But there are some important tasks to start, revise, and complete when your job searching.

1.      Start job searching and networking

2.      Complete job applications before they are due or closed upon.

3.      Rewrite your resume to match the job you are applying for

4.      If you get an interview, have references ready

5.      Contact your references and alert them to your job search

6.      After an interview send a thank you email or hand written letter.