May Newsletter: 5 Habits to Avoid in a Job Search
Many job seekers waste valuable time on activities that feel productive but don’t actually move the needle toward securing interviews or offers. These behaviors can soon become habits which seem useful but can drain energy without delivering meaningful outcomes. Building good job search routines (and avoiding bad ones) is the key to greater success with less stress.
In other words, don’t be the one who:
1. Over-Relies on Job Boards
It is sometimes hard to imagine that networking into a hidden job would be a faster and better approach than competing for a role that is already open! But the numbers don’t lie: for the last 20-plus years 75% to 80% of jobs have been filled by candidates not sourced through an online posting! To understand why, consider these stats:
There are many reasons employers post jobs they have no intention of filling with external candidates. I estimate that nearly 30% of posted jobs fall into this phantom jobs category.
70% of resumes that don’t match the ATS’ criteria are immediately removed from an employer’s database entirely and never viewed by the hiring team.
Internal candidates fill 15% to 25% of vacancies. Since these people are already known by the employer, they account for a chunk of the “hidden job market.”
It is important to remember that while it is fair to dispute the actual numbers, we do know that 100% of people get jobs by being hired by other people. Therefore, the more people you know in your target market, the better the chance that you will land the job through either the published or hidden market approach.
2. Mass Applies Without Customization
Resume construction matters. 88% of employers admit that they overlook qualified candidates because their applicant tracking systems (ATS) screen them out. Last year, the applicant to interview ratio was only 3%. To improve your chances of landing in the top 3%, you should know:
Keywords used in the context of a job count more than do those claimed in a separate skills section. Take the time to ensure your resume is claiming the skills that the target job wants.
Resumes should be submitted in a Word doc or text-generated pdf (not scanned) format. Google Docs, Pages, and other word processing software do not perform well.
If you have a connection, use them. Referrals account for 30 to 50 percent of all new employees. Don’t forget that many employers pay employees for referring in people who get hired…so there is money in it for them!
3. Uses Cover Letters to Match Key Words
Using cover letters for key words does not work because most companies’ ATS don’t scan them!
Furthermore, HR screening is not focused on what makes you unique or why you would love a job. It is focused entirely on finding candidates who have done the work that the hiring manager says they need done. Since only 10% ever get beyond the HR screening stage, 90% of cover letters have no chance of being opened.
There are exceptions to this as I have outlined in content specific to cover letters.
4. Neglects LinkedIn
Having a presence on LinkedIn is no longer optional as seven people are hired every minute through the site. Building a profile that includes a professional looking headshot, strong headline, keyword focused job descriptions, and key skills is critical is vital there. Even if you hate social media, it is important to do the basics:
Identify and add connections in the field and function you are targeting.
Engage on posts from influencers and connections to remain top of mind.
Produce and share content to remind your network of your personal brand.
Join relevant professional groups to stay abreast of industry developments.
Check the job board weekly…obviously!
5. Is Being Too Passive
There can be a fine line between demonstrating enthusiasm and being pushy. While no one wants to work with a pushy person, nearly everyone wants to team up with someone who is eager to do great work. Bear in mind that hiring managers won’t prefer to hire someone who is just going to sit back and wait to be led. Demonstrating that you are a go-getter who is also not a jerk is best achieved by:
Learning to think of yourself as a solution not an imposition. Networking partners will be much more eager to introduce you to someone who you can help than as someone who needs help.
Reaching out to people who you don’t know or don’t know well but who would be interested in knowing someone who can help someone they do know well.
Following up emails with recruiters within a week of applying for a job.
Making sure you let the interviewers know that you want the job.
Sending personalized thank-you notes within 24 hours of an interview.
Asking, in the interview, when you should expect to hear back and empowering yourself to follow up if they miss that deadline
Final Thoughts
A high-impact job search isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things effectively. Eliminating low-value activities ensures your efforts go toward meaningful connections, tailored applications, and strategic follow-ups that lead to real career opportunities.
A Favorite LinkedIn Testimonial
Kim had always imagined a career in K through 12 administration and had earned a master’s degree in education to launch that path. But it had become increasingly clear to her that working in the current education environment was no longer a great fit.
Once we determined the new direction, we teamed on a strategy to make the most of both the published and unpublished (hidden) job markets. She was working at the time and needed to get the best results from somewhat limited time to do the search.
By executing a balanced approach to job hunting, Kim was able to secure a great job in her targeted sector in only a couple of months.
“John is THE Job Guy! He is knowledgeable in current hiring practices and trends, and he uses his experience and his intuition to make an immediate connection with his clients. John is driven by goals while at the same time showing empathy and compassion. What a rare find! From the moment I first consulted with John, I knew he understood my needs. I felt valued for my unique talents and challenges, while at the same time feeling less isolated and alone in what I was going through. John helped me to identify the patterns that led to my reactive job history, guided me toward owning what it is that I truly want, and supported me in making it happen. He rebuilt my resume so that it would pass applicant tracking systems, human resources/talent acquisition, AND hiring managers. He helped me to create a personal brand and to reflect that brand on the resume. John also worked with me to improve my interview skills so that I could accentuate my strengths and minimize the liabilities. I took the work seriously and listened to his advice. I'm thrilled to report that I landed a job in my target sector of non-profit! If John can help me get a job during a pandemic, I'm sure he can help just about anyone! THANK YOU, JOB GUY!”
Job Guy’s Search Tip of the Month
Spend some of Time on the Stuff You Don’t Want to Do
By now pretty much everyone knows that the best way to get a job is through networking. But networking is the thing that most of us are the least comfortable doing. It therefore becomes quite easy to develop the habit of “postponing” networking in favor of less stressful stuff. Most searches fail because this “postponing” never ends.
Given the fact that most job seekers dread networking, how do the successful ones do it?
I suggest taking this approach:
Set Clear Goals: how many connections do you want to add per week? How many conversations per month?
Schedule Regular Outreach: Dedicate time weekly to connect with professionals, attend events, or engage on LinkedIn. Put this on the calendar and just do it. Don’t waste timing trying to decide if you want to do it because you won’t
Follow Up & Stay Engaged: Keep in touch with contacts by sharing updates, offering help, or commenting on their posts.
Diversify Your Network: Connect with people across different industries and roles to expand opportunities.
Join Groups: While any group can provide benefit, the least socially demanding one are those that draw people together for a common purpose like a class, relevant guest speaker, or professional association.
Offer Value First: Instead of just asking for help, provide insights, share resources, or introduce connections.
Track Your Progress: Keep a list of contacts and interactions to ensure you’re maintaining relationships effectively.
Lack of productivity in a job search can erode confidence and wreak havoc on personal relationships. To make the most of your efforts, check out some cool job search hacks in my May blog post.
