There’s no doubt that a good job search is an exciting and challenging process. But it can also be stressful, especially if you don’t prepare properly. The more time you spend planning ahead of time, the fewer surprises you’ll have later on down the road—and the better your chances are of landing a job that suits your skills and personality perfectly! In case you’re still not sure where to start or what mistakes to avoid during your search for employment, here are seven common mistakes we see from candidates all too often:

Starting your job search without a plan

The first step in any successful job search is to plan. In this section, we’ll discuss the importance of planning and how you can create a plan that will help you succeed. Whether you are currently employed or unemployed, it’s time to get started with your strategic plans by answering the following questions:

• What are my immediate needs?
• What types of jobs will satisfy those needs?
• Are there any certain requirements or skills that I need to acquire before I can apply for these jobs?

If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Here at Practical Life Strategies, Inc., we have created templates that can be used as guides during your planning process so that they’re customized based on your personal background and experience levels (i.e., whether or not you’ve ever worked in an office setting). We also provide advice on what kind of clothing styles would best suit these positions; after all, it’s important when interviewing someone who hasn’t worked in this industry before!

Failing to target your resume

• Targeting your resume.
• Targeting your resume to the job you are applying for.
• Target your resume to the company you are applying for.
• Target your resume to the person you are applying for.
• Targeting your resume to the industry you are applying for

Assuming that cover letters are optional

One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is assuming that cover letters are optional. It’s true that some jobs don’t require them, but when you’re applying for a position that does ask for one (and most do), then it’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to show why you’re the best candidate for the job.

In your letter, be sure to:

• Show how much research you’ve done on their company and its products
• Highlight your relevant experience in terms of skills and achievements in previous roles
• Clearly demonstrate why you want this particular job

Lying on your resume

Lying on your resume is a big no-no. It can come back to bite you in the form of an interview, or even worse, getting fired if they find out what you’ve been up to. Don’t lie about how many people you managed at once. If it says “Managed team of 5,” don’t say “My team was 20.” Don’t exaggerate your experience or skills either; keep them understated rather than overstated. Another thing to watch out for is information that isn’t relevant to the job being sought—don’t include details like where you went on vacation last month or what kind of car you drive unless they’re directly related to the position at hand!

Also important: don’t lie about your credentials or education. If asked about any certifications or degrees during an interview IRL (in real life), say yes only if those things are true…but don’t go overboard! You definitely don’t want employers thinking that they hired someone who isn’t qualified for their job just because they lied on their resume and listed themselves as having more experience than they actually do.

Failing to adequately prepare for an interview

You’ve done your homework. You know the company and position you’re interviewing for, and you have a list of questions ready to go. When it comes time for the interview, you’re confident in yourself and your abilities.

But then, something goes wrong: You find yourself sitting across from a hiring manager who doesn’t seem interested in what you have to say or how well prepared you are—and all of a sudden, it seems like they were just going through the motions to get through their inbox backlogs so they can go back home.

This isn’t how interviews are supposed to go! What went wrong?

Failing to follow up after an interview

After an interview, it’s important to follow up with a thank you note. This can be done via email or hand-written on your favorite stationery. Keep this short and sweet; if you go into too much detail, you’ll come off as redundant and unprofessional.

In addition to thanking them for their time, mention one thing that you liked about the job posting and how it relates to your skillset. This will show that even though they didn’t hire you now, they are still a company worth considering in the future.

You can also say something along these lines: “If there are any opportunities that arise with another department within [company], please let me know.” This shows that even though this particular opportunity didn’t work out for whatever reason (which is totally fine), there could be another opportunity down the road where your skills would be useful!

Overlooking the importance of networking

When it comes to finding a job, networking is the best way to go. This can feel difficult and uncomfortable at times, but if you invest in building relationships with people in your industry and community, you’ll be surprised by how many opportunities will come your way.

Networking is also a skill that can be learned. You have to practice talking about yourself and your career goals in order for those conversations not to feel awkward—but once you get used to sharing what you know about yourself and your interests, the process becomes much easier! And good news: this skill doesn’t only apply when searching for jobs—you’ll find it useful in other areas of life as well!

Your job search will go much more smoothly if you take the time to properly prepare.

When it comes to searching for a job, you’ll be much more successful if you take the time to properly prepare. This means checking your resume and cover letter, practicing interviewing techniques, networking with people in your industry, following up with contacts once the interview process has ended…and being honest about everything.

Here are some tips on how to do all of these things:

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no doubt that by following these seven tips, you will have a much easier time finding your dream job.