Last week's JobsSunday feature focused on what job candidates could do to re-energize and re-focus their attitude through their job search techniques.
This week the focus is on the opposite -- what job candidates should make sure they avoid as they look for work.
The phrase "shoot yourself in the foot" didn't create itself. Although it didn't originate with job seekers, it might as well have.
Every day, as job candidates look for a job, almost every one of them makes at least one mistake in the process. The worst part is, many of these mistakes are avoidable.
These are some of the most common -- and most critical -- job search mistakes that experts say can be avoided with a little extra thought and up-front consideration.
1) A non-professional email address. Job candidates can use free email hosts such as gmail.com or aol.com to establish a plain but professional email account that is nondescript.
2) A last check on appearance before an interview. Job candidates who get their foot in the door for an interview need to make sure they look the part. Badly wind-blown hair can make a difference.
3) Pay attention to detail. One mistake, mentioned a number of times by hiring managers, is job candidates who use a cover letter template and forget to change the company name. Cover letters and resumes should always be customized.
4) Real networking is work. Real networking builds mutually beneficial relationships. That can be hard to do in a group setting. Job candidates need to make sure they have a few one-on-one meetings each week.
5) A focus on specific jobs and job types. No job candidate is a fit for every job, or good at everything. A job search will be much more effective if the focus is on exactly the kind of work qualified for.
Tips 6 - 10
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