9 Mistakes Which Every Newbie Job Seeker Must Avoid

It often happens that despite being highly qualified, you would lose job offers to candidates who are far less skilled than you are! If that happens too often, then you are doing something wrong. Without even realizing, you might be leaving a negative impression on the employer. Due to lack of experience in job hunting, it’s mostly the newbies who make these mistakes.

If you are looking for a job, you must check out these 9 common mistakes and make sure you avoid them.

1. Typographical Error (Typos)

Proofreading is a highly marketable and mandatory skill. Every recruiter wants to hire a candidate who has an eye for detail. If you fail to notice your mistakes, chances are that the recruiter may not even get in touch with you.

2. Unprofessional Email Address

You want to come off as a professional and not an amateur, which is why your email address plays an important role. Something like ‘princessgia@website.com’ or ‘kewlboi76@website.com’ may not be the best choice while looking for a job. When you contact a job recruiter, you need to have a very professional email address like ‘firstname.lastname@website.com’.

3. Using the Same Resume for All Jobs

You may be open to several areas of work like sales as well as human resources. Each of these departments require a specific skill set, and you need to make sure that you modify your resume as per the job you are applying for. For instance, if you are applying for a business development job, your internship in HR needs to be eliminated from the resume.

4. Being Indecisive about the Job Type

When you are fresher, there are endless job opportunities for you. You don’t have to stick to one line of work as there are no restrictions. However, this should not mean that you choose any role that is readily available. Your goal should be to find a job that truly defines your purpose and not just a pick any random job. Be choosy even while applying for jobs.

5. Inefficient Networking

While you are looking for a job, one of your goals should be to initiate great networking. It is very important to interact with people from the industry of your choice. While you interact with them, listen more than you talk as you may learn a lot. Make sure to seek advice and never shy away from asking for guidance.

6. Being Unprepared for the Interview

Your skills matter more than a certification or a degree. Recruiters want someone who can instantly answer their questions. Moreover, one needs to have a great deal of knowledge about the organization and if possible, about the person interviewing as well. Learning these details would make your conversation smoother and increase your chances of being hired.

7. Being Unaware of your Market Value

Not knowing your market value is a mistake that is made by the most experienced professionals as well. It may have happened that you completed the entire interview process perfectly, yet you do not receive a call-back from the recruiter. It is probably because you quoted your market value either very high or very low. Research and assess your market value before every single interview and negotiate the same.

8. Zero to Very Low Online Presence

Professional networking websites like LinkedIn hold major significance in job hunting. The more people you network from the industry, the higher are the chances of getting a recommendation. Furthermore, recruiters look at LinkedIn profiles very closely while screening a candidate.

9. Not Following Up

Following up after an interview is basic but job seekers often skip that step. Make sure you drop a thank you email after every interview. This will allow the interviewers to remember you, which increases your chances of being shortlisted.

Job search these days can be quite a strenuous task with the toughest competition surrounding us. Irrespective of being freshers or experienced we all are on a fast job search mission but before you jump the gun, make sure you avoid making these little blunders.

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