How to Avoid 5 Common Mistakes Virtually All Job-Seekers Make During the Job Search Process

Many Las Vegas job-seekers find their job-search dragging out for weeks, months and sometimes years; yet they fail to understand why.

What they often don't realize is they may be sabotaging themselves and falling prey to the five common mistakes virtually all job-seekers make.

These mistakes can be difficult to identify, and many job-seekers don't even realize they're making them.

Ultimately, they do cause a job search to drag on for far longer than it otherwise would, potentially causing unnecessary stress and unhappiness for the job-seeker.

If you give careful attention to detail and proactively strategize your plan, these mistakes can be avoided.

In fact, they can be eliminated!

These common mistakes occur due to lack of awareness about how the job-search process works, and some are due to faulty thinking.

These are all behaviors that can be changed. Also, by doing something as simple as paying attention to how you feel or by writing out (documenting) an action plan a lot of these mistakes can be avoided.

It's known that by avoiding these five mistakes, you can accelerate the job-search process and increase your chances of getting interviewed.

Mistake #1 Having a bad attitude.

One of the biggest mistakes job-seekers make to sabotage their job search is to have a negative attitude about making the job-search process a full-time endeavor.

Anger about the current employment status you're in doesn't change anything.

If you carry emotional baggage with you it will only serve to become a disadvantage for you while you look for a new employer.

Don't let your negative attitude of your previous employer surface and become apparent to other people you talk to; especially when you're conducting interviews.

Any anger or disappointment you feel about your job search needs to be worked out in private on your own time. Identify the pain that's underneath the anger and work on that first.

Talk to friends and family, and write down how you feel. Remember this: thoughts precede feelings. Document how you feel, and try to uncover what thoughts are fueling your anger.

This will help clear the slate so you can meet the challenges of the job- search-process with enthusiasm and focused attention.

Remember, an employer isn't going to want to hire someone who is openly bitter or has resentment towards a previous employer.

Mistake #2 Becoming too passive.

Too many job-seekers wait for opportunities to come to them.

All too often, they tell their friends and family they need a job and wait for those contacts to find one for them, or they wait for a business they'd like to work for to post a help wanted ad. Big mistake!

A common observation we see is the job seeker who fills out an application or sends a resume, then waits and waits to get a call back. Don't do this! You need to keep proactively prospecting.

For a job search to be effective, you must be proactive. You must also know where to look for jobs other than the Sunday paper.

The smart strategies are covered in detail in the solution package available on this website. Click here for more information.

Also, for starters, tell your friends and family what you are looking for. Build a list and go out and make more contacts - build your own network of contacts outside of family and friends.

Contact businesses you're interested in, even if they have no current job listings. Make the initial contact to put you on their radar.

If you've sent a resume or a letter of inquiry and haven't heard anything within 30 days, call to follow up.

If you must leave a message, leave one stating you're following up and will call back again. Know this; don't expect the business to get back to you.

Mistake #3 - Lack of focus on the process

Many job seekers give into desperation and apply for any and all jobs in hopes that they'll hit a target.

The problem with this is they're applying for jobs which they may not be qualified for. Also, some of these jobs may be jobs that their resume is not targeted for and jobs they probably won't be happy in.

In the end, this amounts to being a huge waste of time.

Rather than scatter your focus in every direction, focus on what you want to do and what you're qualified to do.

You don't have to know what it (the job) is called immediately. This can be discovered through research.

Once you've found what jobs you're potentially qualified for, research companies that have (or may have in the future) positions you're qualified for.

Then you can focus your efforts not only on what you really want to do, but on the places where you can do what you want to do. Ultimately, this will get you far better results.

Mistake #4 Failure to create multiple functional resumes

Using the wrong resume or using a resume at the wrong time can be a costly mistake. Have more than one resume. If you need help with a resume, cover letter or other forms of communication, we can you help you.

Failure to use a resume tailored for the job you're apply for is one of the biggest mistakes you'll ever make. Our staff sees this simple (and easily correctable) mistake being made all the time.

A resume that's not focused is more likely to be tossed out than to be considered seriously. Even worse is to use a resume tailored for a job other than what you're applying for.

This gives the potential employer an unfavorable impression, one you certainly don't want to leave!

Mistake #5 Failure to follow-up more than one time.

Follow-up is perhaps one of the most important things you can do. Surprisingly, it's not done every single time, nor is it usually done more than one time with each employer.

A smart way to get an interview after sending a resume is to ask for a meeting. After that interview, you need to continue contacting the employer until they've given you a definitive yes or no answer.

Remember, staying persistent (not overtly aggressive) shows that you're dedicated to wanting an employment opportunity with the prospective employer.

Not 'bothering' the employer may seem polite on the surface, but in reality, you need to be persistent without being demanding.

Finally, by avoiding these 5 simple mistakes, you'll significantly increase your probability of find meaningful employment.