Avoid These 3 Common Job Search Mistakes for a Better Outcome

Career exploration and searching for the perfect job can be daunting. Whether you are a recent graduate, looking to find your first big job, or a seasoned professional looking to make a change, everyone is at risk of making job search blunders. In this post, I’ll discuss what I see as the top three mistakes people make during their job search.

Mistake #1: Lack of Research – Don’t Apply Blindly

If you’re truly looking for a career, not just ‘a job,’ your search should involve thorough research. Don’t fall into the trap of what I call the ‘spaghetti against the wall’ syndrome—applying to any and every job that remotely fits your needs, hoping something sticks. I know, sometimes it’s easier said than done. Certain situations can make anyone feel desperate. Maybe you’re frustrated with your current workplace and feel like you can’t make it through one more day. Maybe you’re feeling pressure from society to find a ‘better’ job. Maybe you’re dealing with unexpected life events. Worst of all, you might find yourself suddenly unemployed.

All of these can push you to feel compelled to secure a new job as quickly as possible but don’t fall into that pitfall. Your job search will be far more successful, and you’ll be much more satisfied in the long run, if you take the time and effort to create a targeted strategy. How do you do that, you ask? By planning ahead!

Planning ahead is crucial. Even if you’re not actively seeking a new position, research companies and job opportunities. Know which organizations you would apply to, if you were looking for a new job. Know who is the right fit for you. Know which jobs you are qualified for and interested in. Know which companies meet the criteria that are important to you. In my years working in staffing and career services, I had a unique advantage: learning about companies, their cultures, their salaries, and benefits was part of my daily routine. As a career coach, I see many clients struggle with this part of their job search. This is why planning ahead is so important. Don’t be caught off guard when the time comes to make that big career move.

As we discuss how a lack of research can stall your job search, it's important to highlight another crucial aspect. Research isn’t just about investigating companies—there’s an equally vital part of the process: researching yourself.

If you don’t have a clear understanding of your own personality, strengths, weaknesses, and interests, you won’t be able to conduct a successful job search. In a previous post, I compared this lack of knowledge to using a wrench as a hammer—if you don’t fully understand yourself, you can’t use your skills effectively. This can lead you to apply for roles that aren’t a good fit, and even worse, it might stop you from presenting yourself convincingly during interviews.

93% of Americans are working in careers that don’t interest them. (Moneypenny)

I’m a big believer in personality and interest assessments, but there are other tools to help you gain insight into who you are. One simple exercise is to make a list of all the tasks from your current and past jobs—don’t hold back, include everything. This should go beyond what's on your resume but keep each task short and simple. Once you have the list, rate each task on a scale from ‘strongly dislike’ to ‘strongly like.’ Be honest with yourself.

Afterward, reflect on why you feel that way about each task. Make notes about what you liked or disliked. This simple exercise could give you that ‘aha’ moment and reveal more about what you're truly passionate about in your work.

Reflection exercises like this are a powerful way to uncover your true interests. I incorporate them into my coaching sessions with clients because the benefits of taking time to truly understand ourselves are countless. Whether it's gaining clarity on the type of job that will fulfill you or boosting your confidence in interviews, self-awareness is key to a successful career search.

Mistake #2: Your Resume Isn’t Cutting It.

Your resume is your first chance to impress a hiring manager, yet so many applicants find themselves in the frustrating position of hearing nothing back. Or worse, they receive the dreaded generic rejection email—a “thanks, but no thanks”—leaving them wondering why their “perfect” resume didn’t land an interview or at least a phone screening.

The answer often comes down to two possibilities:

1.     Your resume was rejected by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). In this case, your resume never made it to human eyes. ATS is software designed to make hiring easier by scanning resumes for matches with the job posting. As a former recruiter, I can appreciate the efficiency of ATS—it would have saved me hours of sifting through resumes. But for job seekers, ATS can feel like the enemy. Your resume might get rejected if it’s formatted in a way that the system can’t read or if it lacks crucial keywords. No matter how great your resume looks to you, if the ATS can’t extract the right info, it’s as good as invisible.

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS, never making it to a human’s eyes. (Skillademia)

2.     Your resume reached a human, but you still got rejected. Congrats on getting past the first hurdle, but the rejection can still happen for a couple of reasons. One, your resume didn’t stand out among the pile. Two, not all hiring officials are experts in evaluating resumes or even fully understand the role they’re hiring for. Have you ever had a phone screening or interview where it was painfully clear the person had no real grasp of the job? Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think.

This is why you need to be the expert on your transferable skills and know how to match your experience to the job posting so that anyone reading your resume understands it clearly. I hate to say it, but sometimes this means you need to simplify your resume. Often, applicants try to include too much. I get it—you’re proud of your accomplishments, skills, and knowledge. But it’s crucial not to overload your resume with irrelevant details. Focus on what’s most important and pay close attention to the specific job you're applying for.

I often compare job hunting to romantic courting. Think of your resume like your dating profile. Your goal isn’t to have someone propose marriage right away—it’s just to get that first date. Once you’re on that date, you can get to know each other better and decide if there’s potential for a deeper connection. Similarly, your resume’s job is to spark enough interest to get you in the door. From there, you can showcase more of who you are and see if it’s a good fit.

45% of recruiters say that the biggest mistake job seekers make on their resumes is using too much jargon. (McKinsey)

If you give too much information up front, you’re giving them the chance to rule you out before even getting to know you. Instead, keep it focused and leave them wanting to ask questions—wanting to learn more about you.

Test your resume knowledge by taking this quick RESUME QUIZ.

Mistake #3: Only Applying to Advertised Jobs

This mistake can be a bit tricky because it involves some networking skills. But don’t worry—you don’t need to attend every local Chamber event or charm every person you meet! What’s essential is learning how to connect with others and get yourself noticed.

If you follow my earlier advice on researching companies before you find yourself in a job search, you’ll have no trouble pinpointing organizations you’d love to work for. From there, focus on identifying employees within those companies to connect with. When you’re looking to apply for unadvertised roles, skip HR. Instead, aim to reach out to department heads—they’re the ones feeling the pressure of unfilled positions or staffing needs.

Don’t underestimate the value of connecting with employees in non-leadership roles, either. They can provide valuable insights and may even advocate for you when the opportunity arises.

Utilize resources like Glassdoor, social media, and LinkedIn to find connections and gather information about various organizations. These platforms can be goldmines for uncovering opportunities that aren’t widely advertised.

Beyond the Basics

These are three common mistakes, but there are certainly many more to consider. As a Career Coach, I’m here to support you in navigating the job search process and help you avoid pitfalls along the way. Together, we can develop a personalized strategy that puts you on the right path to success.

If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to visit my website and follow me on Instagram for tips and resources. Remember, your dream career is within reach, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way!