Ever feel like you're giving it your all but still not having any results from your job search?
You may already have the “right” things – e.g., a website / a rockin’ resume / a stellar LinkedIn profile, but still not having luck so you feel stuck.
Or, you may have gotten some interviews but plateaued since then.
The truth is, job searching is never easy. There are a lot of moving parts and it’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you’re doing it alone and when you’re juggling other things, like life.
I’ve helped hundreds of people find work they enjoy, and in the process have had the opportunity to peek under the hood of their job searches. And in the process, I’ve seen some common mistakes crop up again and again.
I’ve even made all three of these mistakes myself, repeatedly when I was on the job market back in the day so I promise you I know the power of moving past them and kicking your search into high gear.
In this post, I’m sharing 3 of the biggest job search mistakes people make. My hope is that these will help you avoid weeks (or months) of trial and error, so you can fast-track your career growth.
Mistake 1: Not telling literally everyone
This is an easy mistake to make because in your mind, not only have you told everyone you know that you’re looking for a job but you’re convinced they’re sick of hearing about it.
That’s because your job search is most likely the number one thing taking up space in your brain because it’s your number one priority. As it probably needs to be.
I had a session with a client a few weeks ago who I challenged to tell everyone, including her UPS delivery guy that she was still on the hunt for work. Boy did she push back. She let me know in no uncertain terms that everyone she knew was tired of hearing her job search struggles and that it made no sense to tell her nail tech because… why?
The problem with thinking like this is that you’re not allowing people to help you (and people like to help) but also you’re leaving opportunities on the table.
I gave my client the action item of telling (or re-telling) everyone in her world that she was looking and guess what? Not only did her own sister not know she was still looking, but her next door neighbor who she was only ‘wave over the fence’ acquainted with had an opportunity for her. She has an interview next week.
How to solve it:
There are a few ways you can tackle this one:
Focus on one or two connections each day. This way you’ll be able to have meaningful conversations without feeling like you’re spamming people.
Use a site like Fishbowl to make even more connections.
Don’t stress about sticking to your ‘professional’ network. Talk to your barber, your fave barista, your gym buddies etc.
Mistake 2: Not following up
Failing to follow up on job leads, conversations, or connections is a critical misstep that can derail your job search. When you neglect to follow through, you miss out on potential opportunities and risk being forgotten by employers or networking contacts.
Timely follow-ups demonstrate your professionalism, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the position or relationship. They also keep you on the radar of decision-makers and can set you apart from other candidates who may not take this crucial step. As a recruiter I 100% brought a candidate in simply because their follow up email was at the top of my overflowing inbox.
Whether it's sending a thank-you note after an interview, checking in on the status of an application, or nurturing a new professional connection, consistent follow-up can be the difference between landing the job and watching opportunities slip away.
Put it simply, if you keep not following up, you will keep not getting the job.
How to solve it:
Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours: not just after an interview, but after meaningful conversations or connections, promptly send a personalized thank-you email. Express your appreciation for their time, reiterate your interest in the position or opportunity, and briefly mention a specific topic from your discussion to jog their memory. This shows professionalism and helps you stand out.
Use a multi-channel approach to vary your follow-up methods based on the situation and the person's preferences. While email is often appropriate, consider also using LinkedIn messages, phone calls, slacks, DMs or even handwritten notes for a personal touch. This diversity in communication can help you stay memorable without seeming pushy.
Schedule future check-ins for longer-term follow-ups, especially with networking contacts, set reminders to reach out periodically. Share relevant industry news, congratulate them on company milestones, or provide updates on your career progress. This keeps the relationship warm and positions you as proactive and engaged.
For more on following up, head to Mastering the Art of Job Search: Your Path to Fulfilling and Well-Paying Work
Mistake 3: Not going directly to the source
Doom scrolling the LinkedIn job board will not get you a job. Job boards are a great place for research but the job search gold is in going directly to the source.
Instead of being one of 200 candidates applying into the internet pile for a random job posting that seems like you can most likely be a fit for, you can actually get the hiring manager’s attention at a company you genuinely want to work for.
You just have to take the next step leap and put yourself out there a little bit.
Here’s what I advise clients to do:
Create a short list of companies/organizations/people you would be interested in working with.
Go directly to their site to see if they have any openings.
Either way, send your info and pitch directly to the hiring manager.
Also, check in with your network. Can someone refer you? Make that ask.
And because I believe knowledge should never be inaccessible, I want to offer you my workbook “How to Deal With Job Search Overwhelm” for free. Grab the free guide where I show you how to have a stress-free job search!
Wrapping it up
If you've been making these mistakes with your job search, it’s not your fault. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there. But once you’re aware of them, you can start making the changes you need to get that gig.
If you want my help with your job search, I invite you to check out “Strategic networking. It can actually be fun & easy.” It’s workshop jam packed with all the info you need to make your network work for you.
Also, click here to download my free Job Search tracker now
If there's one thing I've learned in all my years in the industry, it’s that you really can do what you want to do (and get paid for it!).
Is your head still swimming with questions? I have a blog post that covers more job search essentials over here and a newsletter packed with free, actionable advice right here.
Remember, I’m available to answer any questions here and on Instagram or TikTok.
Yours in ‘move on from mistakes’ goodness-
EBS
P.S. Click here to download HOW TO DEAL WITH JOB SEARCH OVERWHELM now and get 5 actionable ways kiss overwhelm goodbye.
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EB Sanders | Career Coach for Creative Types
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