It is not exactly a cakewalk for an entry-level graduate who is out looking for a job. When the economy is not booming, it is even more difficult. And to top it all, if you are making mistakes in your job search, then it is even worse.
But the good news is that these job search mistakes might be critical, but they can easily be set right. Here are a few job-search mistakes that you must avoid.
Not having the right resume. The first thing you must have has got to be a good resume. Here are a few pointers on writing your first resume.
Obsession with a high salary. It definitely sounds wonderful when you hear about someone landing a job with an eye-popping starting salary. But it cannot happen to everybody. If you get a job with a good company, and if it offers good prospects for advancement, then you must definitely go for it even if the salary is not that attractive. On the other hand, if you are offered a job with an attractive salary, but if you are going to be stuck at the same level for years, advancing neither professionally or personally, there is no point in taking it up at all.
Reluctance to start at the bottom. There have been innumerable success stories about people who started small and made it big. If the job offered to you isn't in line with your expectation, don't refuse it outright. Poke around, find out if there are good chances of your learning something there, and also whether there is scope for advancement. If there is, there is no reason why you shouldn't go for that job.
Not making use of career/recruitment centers in college. Career counselors and placement coordinators in your school or university can offer a great deal in terms of information, contacts and network. Involving yourself in the placement office's activities is an invaluable way to gain insights that you wouldn't get otherwise. If you haven't already taken advantage of it during your course, then do it now.
Not being clear about what you want. You need to have a clear goal, about where you want to go, and what you want to do, what kind of an industry you want to enter, and what kind of work you want to do. This is especially true if you are from a multi-disciplinary background, or if you have majored in several subjects and are interested in all of them. Only when you know what you want, can you proceed further with the right approach and research for your job hunt. A random and disoriented approach will not work at all. On the other hand, narrowing down your field too much is also not going to work for you. Not only will your options be limited, but you'll lose out on a chance to discover new avenues that you didn't know of, and which might turn out to be just right for you.
Being too particular about your place of work. Unless you have some compelling issues that bind you to a certain place, keep the option of working away from your hometown open. It opens up a greater number of opportunities, and also widens your horizons.
Using only one mode of searching for jobs. Don't depend only on the internet, or only on campus placements, or only on the classifieds of the newspaper. Don't even limit yourself to only the most popular job sites on the web. Spread your net far and wide. Keep checking on company websites too, there are jobs there that might not appear on job sites or advertisements.
Not following the right etiquette on social networking sites. Facebook can really pull you down if you don't use it wisely.
Slackening your pace. It might happen that things are looking good with one prospective employer, and it might seem that it is going to work out for you. Great. But don't stop looking. Don't ever slow down unless you have the job offer in writing. You never know what might happen, they might change their mind, there might be changes in the industry, and they might decide that they cannot take you on after all... If you have slowed down because of an impending breakthrough with one company, and if it doesn't materialize, it can really set you back in your search.
Applying for jobs you are not qualified for. Don't waste time and effort applying for any job you find. Learn to read advertisements carefully, and then proceed with caution.
Not preparing for an interview. Young people generally tend to be casual about their appearance. This is alright in a campus context, but when you are at an interview, pay attention to personal grooming. Many people also tend to treat interviews with indifference, but this is where you're going to be judged and chosen - or not. So prepare for an interview well.
Missing opportunities to gain experience. A new job-seeker generally has no experience to speak of. So the best way to get an edge over other applicants is to have some kind of experience – and you'll be surprised to know how many ways are there to gain experience, whether it is connected to your subject or not. Internships, and assistantships of course, are invaluable, but apart from this, considering volunteering for jobs around the campus or the town. Even if not directly, the skills you learn in such jobs prepare you for dealing with a full-fledged job later, after you graduate. And recruiters know it too, and so they will value this. Another oft-ignored opportunity is to get involved in clubs, groups, and organizing committees in college. You'll meet people, learn new things, and of course, have lots of fun. You can mention these experiences on your resume for some brownie points, and you can draw on your experiences during an interview, and who knows, you could strike a connection with the interviewer while you are at it! The possibilities are limitless, and you must seize every opportunity that comes your way.
So there you are. Now that you know what not to do, lace up your shoes and go for it!
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