Job Hunting - How to Avoid the Pitfalls

There are many ways to make mistakes in a job search. Let's look at some and learn how to avoid them.

• Many job hunters hurt their chances by not planning carefully and not working vigorously. Start your planning now.

• A job search is strictly self-initiated. Many people will help when you approach them, but rarely will anyone volunteer. Your progress depends on your efforts. The sooner you move ahead aggressively on your preparation, the better off you'll be.

• Don’t count on promises. In the first week of his job search Fred got an interview with a well-established company in his industry. At the end of the interview, the interviewer said, "We're extremely interested in you, Fred. I'm going to arrange for a second interview." At the second interview, the interviewer said, "We want to hire you for this particular position. I just have to clear this with my boss, and I'll get back to you in a few days." Fred was very pleased, but never heard from this company again, and he got a cool reception each time he followed up. This happens frequently. So don't count on anything until you have a firm offer, preferably in writing. Act as though the possibility doesn't exist, and continue prospecting actively.

• Don't waste your best contacts. Sam and Bill had been members of a weekly golf foursome for years, and they had become good friends. When Sam lost his job, he immediately called Bill, a much more senior executive at another company. Bill was cordial and happy to help. Sam made the mistake of thinking his social relationship with Bill would open several doors. He was unprepared for the meeting and made a poor impression. Frankly, Bill feared that Sam would make a similarly poor impression on his best contacts, which he cherished and protected. Bill did refer Sam to a couple of medium-level people, but Sam was disappointed. When Sam contacted Bill for further help, Bill scarcely returned his calls. This mistake of spoiling good contacts happens frequently when job hunters don't conduct themselves professionally.

• Don't blindly accept advice. In making the rounds of people you know and those they refer you to, you'll get lots of advice. Some of it will be good, and some of it won't be. Through a referral, Frank was granted an interview with Mary, the Vice President of Human Resources of XYZ. Mary strongly recommended that Frank not undertake the intensive target mailing he had planned. Frank did the mailing anyway, and the letter to the CFO of XYZ within a month got him a very good offer. Carefully evaluate the advice that you get. Some of it may be unintentionally biased, misleading, or downright wrong. If you're in doubt about a piece of advice, test it with a couple of other people you see.

• Be careful about repeating the same mistakes. A job search is repetitive. Much of your activity is geared to gaining access to key people and to making as favorable an impression as possible. It's easy to "get in a groove" and present yourself the same way over and over again, whether your presentation is effective or not. Evaluate responses to your presentation, and change it accordingly. Respond to your "gut" feeling. Experiment when the risk is low, such as in an occasional networking interview. You may find a revised presentation considerably more effective.
Dr. J.E. Burke, President, J.E.B. Resume Service and J.E. Burke Writing Service is writer, researcher, educator and entrepreneur involved in various business enterprises through Burke Publications. He has published many articles on a variety of topics. Please visit http://burkepublications.com or email jeb@burkepublications.com .