Are You Applying Job Search Advice The Wrong Way?

Source: US News
Even with all the job search advice you have been receiving, are you sure you are using it the right way?

Here are six common ways that you might take good advice but execute it poorly.

1. Clearly explain what skills you can offer.

How you might misapply it: Just announcing that you have those skills rather than demonstrating them, such as saying things like “I have initiative” or “I’m a skilled communicator” rather than talking about work you did that demonstrates those skills. Show, don’t tell.

2. Look for opportunities to highlight how your skills and past experience match the position.

How you might misapply it: For instance, when it’s your turn to ask questions in an interview, if you only ask questions with the intent of using them as a way to further showcase your skills, you’re guilty of this – and certainly annoying most interviewers.

When interviewers spend time answering your questions, it’s because they want you to have a chance to learn whatever it is that you need to know to make a good decision about the position.

So while you certainly want to find ways to talk about your fit for the job, don’t go overboard.

3. Address the job’s qualifications in your cover letter.

How you might misapply it: Talking about all 20 qualifications in your cover letter, even minor ones. To be clear, your CV should address the most significant qualifications you have, and your cover letter should flesh you out from there.

But if an employer lists 20 qualifications, you don’t generally need to mention all 20 – just the most significant ones.

4. Explain why you’d be great at the job.

How you might misapply it: Claiming you’d be the best person for the job, even though you have no idea what the rest of the candidate pool is like and don’t yet have an understanding of the employer’s needs.

You can explain why you’d excel at the job without verging into exaggeration or making claims you can’t back up.

5. Be confident.

How you might misapply it: Sounding like you have no realistic sense of the challenges of the job because you are so amazing that nothing will be a challenge for you. While employers like confidence, they don’t generally like arrogance or naiveté.

6. Always negotiate, no matter what.

How you might misapply it: Thinking that this means that you have to negotiate even when you’re thrilled with an offer. This can especially be misapplied when you already talked about salary earlier in the hiring process, and the offer matches the number you named.

If the employer gives you what you asked for, trying to negotiate for more will seem hypocritical.

It’s time to start applying the advice the right way.

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