1000 Things You Should Avoid in Your Job Search

Are you focusing solely on major job boards? If so, you could be missing out on niche opportunities. Many smaller or specialized companies avoid using the well-known job portals. Be strategic about where you post your resume, choosing boards based on the types of recruiters that frequent them.

STICKING ONLY TO BIG-NAME JOB BOARDS If you’re relying exclusively on the most popular job boards or websites, you might be limiting your potential. Many niche groups or smaller companies tend to bypass the big names. Tailor your resume submissions to job boards that attract the specific recruiters you’re targeting.

LETTING OTHERS HANDLE YOUR JOB SEARCH Are you outsourcing your job search to a friend or consultant, letting them manage employer contacts for you? If so, stop! While it’s okay to get assistance in gathering job descriptions, you should be the one reaching out to employers. This is your chance to make a lasting impression — don’t waste it.

RESUME SPAMMING Do you send your resume out like a mass marketing flyer? If you’re blasting it to numerous employers or using a group email to distribute it widely, here’s why that’s a bad idea:

1. Your resume and cover letter aren’t tailored to each specific job. Customizing your resume to align with the skills required for the job is crucial.
2. You’re not following up. Some employers gauge interest by the effort you put into follow-up. By blanket-emailing your resume, you diminish its value, and employers may assume you’re desperate, which can hurt your marketability.

Mindless resume blasting can also include mindlessly clicking “Apply” on any job you see, even when you don’t meet the minimum qualifications. In such cases, it’s better to make a personal connection offline.

Around 75% of emails sent to generic addresses like careers@bestcompany.com are classified as junk. Relying solely on email submissions for your job hunt is a poor strategy. Your resume is likely lost in the clutter.

PROTECTING YOUR PRIVACY Avoid sharing sensitive personal details in your resume. There’s a risk of your private information being misused. Also, if you’re using your company’s internet to search for jobs, beware — companies often have systems in place to monitor internet usage. Even small businesses can afford firewalls, so don’t assume you’re flying under the radar.

FINDING A BALANCE IN YOUR ONLINE JOB SEARCH While the internet is a powerful tool, relying on it alone isn’t wise. At the same time, don’t ignore the wealth of information available online. Depending on your skills and goals, assess whether your target employers are more likely to advertise in print classifieds or online job boards.

MAINTAINING PROFESSIONALISM Email may have been a novelty 15 years ago, but using an address like cooldude800@xyz.com isn’t going to make a great impression. Also, think about what your social media profiles reveal about you. Recruiters and hiring managers are watching, so be mindful of what you post. Remember, your resume and job search materials should reflect professionalism, not political or personal beliefs.

The remaining 994 things you don’t want in your job search fall under the realm of common sense. We trust your CSA (Common Sense Application) skills enough not to list every one of them. (To be honest, “6 things you don’t want” didn’t sound grand enough to grab your attention!).