7 Strategic Mistakes People Make In Their Job Search
If you do a Google search about job search mistakes, many articles will tell you the mistakes people make with their resume/CV, how they interview, or their approach to networking. While these are all helpful (and I have written about the same topics), they all deal with the tactical parts of a job search. The nuts and bolts, as it were. That, in my opinion, is not the real problem most job seekers have with their job search. For most, it is their job search strategy.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
Make sure you have a job search strategy first before you worry about the right tactics. Otherwise, you might never be able to reach your goal.
Here are what I see as the top strategic job search mistakes that people make.
Thinking You Are an Expert at a Job Search Because You Are Good At Your Job
Job seekers are very proud of the skills and knowledge they possess in their chosen field. That is to be expected. But some believe that because they are good performers in one area, that will automatically translate to their job search. These are the people that I have seen bomb an interview because they thought they could wing it. Or they submit a resume that is a list of job duties because they believe that is what an employer wants to know. They do not bother to read articles about a modern job search; they just write a resume and start applying, assuming that is all that is needed for success.
And then they find they are not getting interviews or offers and wonder why.
If you want to excel among your competition, the first step is to understand all that is involved with hiring, especially in a modern job search. Knowledge is power, and when you understand the best practices and what to expect, you can use this to your advantage over your competition.
Comparing Your Situation to Someone Else’s
I see two components to comparing yourself to others. One is Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) and assuming what a peer did in their job search will work for you.
FOMO
I recently read a LinkedIn post where the writer commented on people getting agitated when they see others in their network getting new positions. The success peers had in finding new roles (and higher compensation) was causing others to feel they needed to job search to increase their compensation and get themselves in a better career position. FOMO is one of the worst reasons to start a job search. Your career is yours, not anyone else’s. A change in employer should always be because it makes sense for your career.
What Worked For A Colleague’s Job Search Will Work For You
A colleague has gotten a great job. You think, why bother coming up with a job search strategy. I will copy what they did, and I should get the same result, right? Well, it would be nice if this was how it worked, but it rarely does.
First, is your goal the same as your peer’s? Maybe the peer wants to work at a start-up while you are more comfortable with an established company. Different goals may require a different strategy.
ven if the type of role you want is similar to your buddy’s new position, you and your buddy undoubtedly have different knowledge, experience, and skills. Your achievements may be vastly different as well. Therefore, you may need to position yourself differently.
For example, writing your resume may need to be different and emphasize a different skill set than your colleague. Whom you network with may also need to be different as well. Don’t think you can take your peer’s job search blueprint and duplicate it and have it work for you.
Timing the Market
Timing the market is a term used in the financial world to describe people who move in and out of financial positions based upon predicting whether the market will go up or down. This can also apply to the job market. Some people want to go into whatever industry is “hot” because they see opportunity there. I am not against that. What I do caution is knowing yourself and whether you are chasing something that in the long run is not a good fit for your interests and skills.
For example, many young adults were told to pursue studies in the STEM fields, as those jobs would be plentiful and lucrative. I have heard so many stories of early career (and even mid-career) job seekers that hate their chosen field in STEM. It is not a good fit for them, and now they are reevaluating what else they can do that would be more engaging. Always understand what would make you happy in your career and go find that, not trying to ride a wave that will ultimately come crashing down around you.
Fleeing a Job
I see this far too often. You have not been enjoying your job for a while. Then something happens—a coworker makes a stupid remark, your boss gives you an extra assignment, or you have a terrible commute, and you decide you are done. You have to make a move and now!
As I talk with potential clients for my coaching services, I hear many reasons why they need to leave their job. When I ask them about what they want to do next, I often hear *crickets*. They haven’t thought through what is next, what they want to do. They have only been fixated on what they don’t want to do or the atmosphere they do not want to be in. This is a mistake. Always take the time to understand the next best step for you before you embark on a job search. You will have more success faster, and your result will be better.
Not Asking for Help When Needed
Many job seekers feel that they should do a job search on their own and do not ask for help. Do you want to know a secret? Many senior executives have professional resumes written for them, but they will also employ a coach to help them through the job search process. Why? Because they understand the value of having consultants help with activities that they have less expertise in. They know that by paying someone who is an expert in the field, they will likely get better results. They see it as an investment with a high return on their money.
You should view getting help the same way. Whether it is a paid resume writer or joining a free job search class at your local library, finding out more about the job search process and asking for assistance can build your confidence and help you market yourself more effectively.
Another way to get help is to join a job search support group. Sometimes help is having a safe place to vent about the obstacles you are facing in your job search. Job search support groups are found in more communities. Ask around or look on meetup.com for an established group.
Not Playing to Your Strengths
As discussed above, this can be timing the market, but it is also not understanding what you do well and using it to your advantage. Let me give you an example. Let’s say you are a strong writer. You have a knack for conveying information thoughtfully and engagingly. Yet, you never send a cover letter, and you do not write a note with your LinkedIn connection requests. These are missed opportunities to showcase your talent.
Another example is you are known as a subject matter expert in your field. You have been asked to talk about your expertise both within and outside your organization. Yet, you never post about your expertise on LinkedIn and never comment on the posts of others who do write about the topic. Being known in your field is an advantage with a job search. But some do not make the most out of the competitive edge that they have.
Concentrating on the Tactics and Not the Goal
When a person has decided to get a new job, often their first thought is that they need a new resume. A resume is a marketing piece. In marketing, you do not plan the advertisement until you understand the goal of the campaign. In a job search, it is no different. What is it that you want to do? Maybe you have an idea of the type of role you want. Many do not or are unsure. Have you thought about all the different possibilities? What aligns with your strengths? What type of organization will make you feel like you belong? What type of boss do you work best with? You need to fully understand your goal(s) for a new job BEFORE you start on the tactics to help you find it.
Conclusion
If you see yourself in any of these strategic job search misses, then take action. A strong strategy will get you closer to your goal of a great job that provides you the compensation and environment where you can thrive. Isn’t that what we all want?
Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. I help job seekers prepare for interviews. You can engage me to help you prep for any type of interview. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.