Have you been spending hours, days, and months of job searching, and you keep coming up empty-handed? Have you been blaming the economy on the lack of job replies or feeling like everyone else is struggling too? Do you ask yourself why your job search is not working? We can help you improve your results with simple changes that will greatly impact your job search strategy.
If your job search is not working, here are the mistakes to avoid
Job Applications
Not all applications are created equal. Most online job boards send you down a rabbit hole, wasting your time and taking you away from your goal of finding a job. Did you know that 80% of vacant positions are filled without advertising? Some companies are even required to post jobs, even if they fill them internally. 
These jobs are filled by an employee or referral from the company’s existing database of potential candidates or by an internal employee, or even by a stranger whose resume arrived at the perfect time or through professional recruiters.
A more effective use of your time would be to walk away from online job boards and educate yourself on the companies that might hire someone with your skills.
What you should do:
Make a list of companies you want to work for and write a letter or email explaining why you would be a great candidate. Include a copy of your resume with a cover letter. This strategy is much more effective if you can reach the company’s decision-makers rather than the HR department. In most cases, with some good internet research skills, you can find their names. Using Linkedin to see if you know people who work for the company you want to get into is another excellent resource for getting your resume into the right hands.
Job Searching Blind
Lewis Carroll said, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” Flying blind when applying for jobs will always fail.
The goal is to find a job you enjoy and get paid, right? So why not take the time to define the type of job you want so you don’t end up taking a job for a short time and having to start the job search process all over again?
What you should do:
Identify your perfect job. Does the company culture align with my goals? What type of work will you be focusing on? Are the people you will be directly working with like-minded? The more specific you are, the easier it will be to execute an effective job search.
“Cookie-Cutter” Resume
Does your resume set you apart? When you read it, is it compelling and communicates why the employer should interview you? Have you spent time targeting your resume toward the jobs you are applying for?
You should consider rewriting your resume if you didn’t answer “yes” to any of the questions. There are many free options for this online if you don’t know where to start, but you will have a more significant impact if you hire a professional resume writer.
What you should do:
Reach out to a professional resume writing service. A well-crafted resume will improve your chances tenfold and ensure your odds of landing a job quickly.
Are You On LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the top business networking site globally and is the primary source of candidates for recruiters. They scour the site looking for people searching for their dream job.
You owe it to yourself to establish a LinkedIn profile to make as many useful connections as possible and fully utilize all the available job search tools.
What you should do:
For some tips on writing an excellent LinkedIn profile, let us help you!
Want More Information?
Please read our blog on the three most effective job search strategies in 2020
This article was originally published in April 2020 and has been recently updated.
