Let’s face it, there’s really no way to get around the myriad of emotions a job search evokes. There’s the hope the search will go quickly. Despair when things aren’t going as quickly as we’d hoped. Excitement when we are contacted for an interview. Uncertainty, the interview went well. And, in the end, relief when we’ve secured a new position. Today we will discuss 5 reasons you are stalling your job search.

Failing to Establish Clear Goals 

I encourage you to start on the right foot by taking the time to determine actionable goals beyond, “landing a new job.” Give your job search a foundation by determining what type of job you want, companies you would like to work for, and how your skills and experience align with those positions and the employer’s particular needs. 

Taking the time to identify what you want and what it will take to get you there will help you maintain focus and enable you to track your efforts.

Using An Unbranded Resume

If your resume is a spin-off of someone else’s brand or a copy and paste version of the job description provided by your employer, start over! Your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile should be authentic to who you are and the unique value you offer. 

When you copy and paste from samples or your friend or colleague’s document, you fail to set yourself apart from other candidates and your document loses meaning. 

Take the time to define your value and connect the dots between your experience and accomplishments and the employer’s needs.

Only Responding to Online Job Posts

Uploading your resume to an online job board is the least effective way to search for a job. Sure, it seems like you are making progress, but studies show you are increasing your competition (jobs which 100% of your competition are also applying for) and the success rate (being called in for an interview) is low.

Not Leveraging the Networking Power of LinkedIn

 Make sure your LinkedIn profile is optimized so employers/recruiters can find you. Your headline should contain keywords, your headshot should be professional, your summary compelling, and your experience section consistent (not repeated verbatim) with the information on your resume.

Oversharing on Social Media 

A recent report revealed 47% of recruiters view photos of alcohol consumption negatively on social media and 60% of recruiters view oversharing of information even more appalling. 

Employers use social media to vet candidates and, among the reasons employers opt to not hire someone are –provocative or inappropriate photos; information about the candidates use of drugs or alcohol; sharing unfavorable posts about their previous company or fellow employees; posts with spelling errors, discriminatory comments, or confidential employer information. (CareerBuilder survey).

Not Following Up Post Interview

Take the time to send a thank you note within 48 hours of your interview. Your note should be brief, professional, and reinforce your qualifications for the job. Use information shared in the interview and draw attention to how your experience aligns with their needs.

Let’s Get Started!

Reach out today: www.resumeassassin.com or mary@resumeassassin.com

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