As a career coach, I’ve helped hundreds of job seekers take the pain out of the job hunt and find the career path that’s best for them. While each person’s situation and goals are different, I’ve found five common mistakes to avoid for a more effective job search.

1. The 5 Biggest
Mistakes Every Job
Seeker Makes

2. There are 5 mistakes
you might be making
in your job search.

3. Mistake #1:
Relying on
Online
Strategies

4. MISTAKE #1.
Relying on
Online
Strategies
Online job
postings have
become the
landscape for job
seekers and
employers

5. …But that
doesn’t mean you
should spend all
your efforts
applying to jobs
online

6. Many Employers have adopted
Applicant Tracking Systems
(Learn about ATS’s at
www.NGCareerStrategy.com/ho
w-to-get-past-applicant-tracking-
system/)

7. MISTAKE #2.
Underestimat
ing Linkedin
This robot-friendly system will push
your application into the trash if it
does not contain the correct keywords
or formatting

8. Instead, try making the
application more personal…

9. • Research the
person behind the
job posting
• Check your network
for potential
referrals
• Try sending a direct
e-mail if possible
• Don’t neglect in-
person networking
events

10. …Personal relationships
and connections are still
most effective

11. Mistake #2: Underestimating
LinkedIn

12. LinkedIn offers
a variety of
benefits for any
profession (and
even for non-
job seekers)!

13. LinkedIn is the
largest job seeker
database which
means this is where
hiring managers and
recruiters come to
find their next hire

14. Mistake #3: Not
Communicating Your Brand

15. Many job seekers think of a resume,
cover letter and LinkedIn profile as
work history…

16. …Your application
documents should
instead be
marketing
materials used to
paint yourself in
the most desirable
picture

17. Try viewing your
profile from the
hiring manager’s
perspective… and
only include what
is necessary and
compelling

18. Mistake #4:
Overlooking Job
Descriptions

19. You must understand the
need the company is trying
to fill and tailor your brand
to that job description

20. Every resume you send
should be unique to match
the job description you are
applying for…

21. …Your resume should mirror
key words and skills from
the job description and
communicate one message,
“I am the solution to the
problem you need solved.”

22. Mistake #5: Starting
Too Late

23. The Job
search can
take
upwards
of 6
months…

24. Don’t be afraid to start the job search
a few years out… the worst that can
happen is an employer refuses to
wait until you’re ready

25. The upside is you’re
able to test your brand
against your target
role, practice
interviewing and take
greater risk
negotiating with
interested parties

26. For more career advice visit:
www.NGCareerStrategy.com