Atlanta career coaches see job applicants make the same mistakes over and over again. Here are six of those errors and how you can avoid them, according to the experts themselves.
1. Applying to jobs without the necessary experience
Dreaming big is important, but it’s also important to understand a company's needs when they have an opening. If you apply for a job without the necessary work experience, don’t expect a call, D&B Consulting career coach Deborah Brown told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If a company wants a candidate with 10 years of managing experience, they mean it.
2. Forgetting to follow–up
Applicants may think they’re pestering potential employers if they send out an email after a job interview. But career coach Hallie Crawford said it’s “critical” to follow-up after an interview. She said it’s not only important to touch base after the interview, but also before the interview. By doing this, you can confirm that the company received your information.
(Also, nothing quite impresses many employers like a handwritten thank-you card.)
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3. Google mishaps
It's better for you to be prepared for what appears on when someone Googles your name rather than to be caught off-guard in an interview. It also doesn't hurt to spruce up your social media presence and make it more business professional, Crawford said. That doesn't mean you need to wear a business suit in every Facebook photo, but it's best to "err on the side of being conservative," she said.
4. Not networking
Too many employees are afraid or don't know how to leverage their contacts, which is ultimately a disservice to themselves. Brown advises her clients to build on their "network's network" and find ways to connect the different contacts.
5. Not understanding skillsets
In order to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack, it’s essential to understand your personal brand — the marketable skillsets, specific to you, that you can offer an employer. Crawford advises her clients to rehearse their elevator pitch in front of family members or a mirror. She also suggests her clients record themselves reciting their pitch. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become.
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6. Not updating your resume
Although updating your resume may seem like obvious pre-interview preparation, Crawford said she still finds clients who have outdated resumes. At the top, Crawford suggests providing a short summary that shows off your skillsets. It’s also important to tailor each position in your resume with “relevant and useful” information. Remember to keep your job descriptions short and sweet.
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