It’s hard enough to find a job these days, so be wary of seven ways you may be making it harder …
Everyone seems to know someone in search of a job, so do your friend/family member/former co-worker a favor and pass along these helpful tips from “7 Ways Job-Seekers Sabotage Themselves,” by Kiplinger.com’s Liz Ryan.
1. Don’t talk too much: Try not to play the role of eager beaver during a job interview as this may deter the interviewer. The article suggests you “Don’t start gushing about your professional experience right away. Take a deep breath, listen carefully to what is being asked of you and only answer those questions. Remember not to give one-word responses, but don’ t tell your life story, either.”
2. Know your market value: Don’t short-change yourself or set your sites too high. “Visit sites like Salary.com, Payscale.com and Glassdoor.com to find out how much your skills are worth. That way, when a hiring manager asks, ‘What are you looking to earn?’, you’ll be able to respond with a solid number.”
3. Utilize your network in your search: Frequently, a new position is waiting for us on the other side of the fence. Don’t neglect to inform those in your network of your job search as they may know of good opportunities for you.
4. Be prepared: This is Interview 101, but before you go into the office, be sure you Google the company for their history, competitors and state of the industry. According to the article you should ” have at least five to ten questions prepared that speak to the employer’s situation in the marketplace and the impact of the role you’re interviewing for on that equation.” Preparation shows you not only care about the company, but also puts you above those who slacked on the prep.
5. Keep your focus: The interviewing process can be mentally challenging, but keep your focus and don’t ramble. “Dragging on about one topic is not the best way to present yourself.”
6. Be accountable: Don’t try to mask any flaws on your resume. “Not being able to clearly explain something, such as why you’ve been unemployed for the past year, is going to raise a red flag.” Make sure you’re prepared to provide answers to any flaws or holes in your resume, and don’t  “apologize for your career twists and turns, but rather integrate them into your story.”
7. Don’t accept an offer immediately: Give yourself time to understand the offer fully, including pay and health benefits and make sure you get it in writing. “You can’t negotiate the job terms if you aren’t aware of what’s exactly on the table.”
To read more, check out the full article here.
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“7 Ways Job-Seekers Sabotage Themselves,” Liz Ryan, Kiplinger.com, October 1, 2011
