8 Top Mistakes Job Seekers Make In Their Job Search

By Lilian Wamaitha

Do you always send application only to never hear from the employers? You may be making some of the job search mistakes every job seeker makes.

I recently received a call from a distressed job seeker seeking some advice. Anthony – not his real name graduated in 2016 and has been very active in the job search. However, one year down the line, he has not been able to land a job leave alone an internship.

He has applied to more than 300 jobs online and has even dropped his applications physically in several offices. He is however yet to know where he is going wrong with his job search.

I know many job seekers who are going through the same ordeal. It no fun spending your precious time applying for jobs only for that phone never to ring with an interview invitation.

Where are we going wrong as job seekers? Why is it that other people around us keep getting jobs but we remain in the same position of hopelessness? I am going to highlight the top mistakes job seekers make during the job search process.

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The Avoidable Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Nobody is perfect.

In fact, at one point in your life, you are bound to make mistakes. It is the nature of life that we can’t do without.

Here are the top mistakes that job seekers make which could be costing you that dream job.

1. You lack focus is among the top mistakes job seekers make

According to Ms. Muthoni Ndegwa, a Human Resource professional in Nairobi, employers hire mostly to meet a specific need. An employer may be hiring to increase a team’s productivity. Before applying for the specific position, get to understand the need of the employer.

Stay focused on what the employer wants and tailor your job application letter to meet that need.

2. Being too desperate

What energy are you giving off to your potential employer? How are you approaching the job search and networking process? According to Ms. Ndegwa desperation is a total turn off to any employer. You may not know but desperation shows even before the employer meets you.

3. Focusing on quantity and not quality

Most job seekers think that they are more likely to land a job by applying to so many positions. This is not true.

The number of the jobs you are applying to doesn’t matter. Instead, focus on the job itself. Which position do you think you can best fit at? Which one can you make a real contribution and at the same time grow in your career?

Some even go to the extent of applying for all the positions advertised by one company. First of all, this shows desperation on your part and it also gives off the feeling that you have no idea what you want in life.

Therefore learn to focus on the job itself and not the number of positions you have applied to in a day.

4. Being lazy about the job search

When you are unemployed, your main job at that time is looking for a job. Treat each day like a regular working day. Wake up early, create a schedule and research companies that are hiring in your industry.

When you are jobless you can’t afford the luxury of staying indoors all day watching one episode of Game of Thrones after another.

Get out there. Create networks and look for places you can even volunteer at before you land a permanent job. Read here on 5 Proven Ways of Building Value-Adding Networks To

Grow Your Career.

5. Exhibiting a sense of worthlessness

Walking around town with an attitude of ‘I can’t get a job because no employer will find me worthy’ is not doing you any favors.

So what? You have applied for like ten internships and haven’t heard from a single employer. Get up, brush off the dust and apply for the next internship or job.

It’s their loss anyway that they won’t get to know what an awesome person you are. Your time is coming so don’t you dare give up.

6. Being too scared to apply for some positions

Another on one of the top mistakes jobs seekers make in Kenya. You can agree with me that at one point you have held back applying for a position because you felt the competition was too stiff.

This is the worst attitude you can bring into the job search. I got an internship when I was still in the first year of university. And guess what? I applied for that internship with people who were already done with school and several third years looking for attachment. Guess what? I ended up getting being among the only two people who got the internship.

What if I had chosen not to apply because I was competing with guys who were probably more qualified than me? I wouldn’t have gotten the five months experience I got from it.

Think about it. Don’t allow your fear to cloud your dreams.

7. Applying for the wrong jobs

This is one of the top mistakes job seekers make according to Ms. Ndegwa.

“I can’t tell you how many CVs I have had to throw out because they did not match the job qualifications.”

While it’s advisable to go for what you want, when it comes to job search, employers prefer candidates who know what they want and are qualified for the position.

8. Losing focus of your career objective

Losing focus on your career goals is among the top mistakes job seekers make in Kenya. Being unemployed can lead you to take any job that comes by. If you know what you want and what direction you want your career to head, then you will be patient and look for those jobs that match your career objectives.

In a nutshell

If you have been making the mentioned top mistakes job seekers make, you know now where you are going wrong in your job search. Amend these mistakes and you are on your way to landing that dream job.

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Lilian is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Got any job search related queries? Email; lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke