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13 Mistakes You’re Probably Making When Applying for Jobs

Looking for a new job isn’t easy, but it can be impossible if you’re making common mistakes that will knock you out of the running for any position. Tim Gouw / Unsplash

Looking for a job can be a tedious task. You’re constantly putting yourself out there to be judged, writing cover letter after cover letter, and tweaking your résumé like your life depends on it.

Having passion and being dedicated is a must when job hunting, but rejection notice can chip away at your soul. Instead of questioning your self-worth, examine your job-hunting techniques.

Sometimes we don’t realize that we make mistakes when we’re turning in our résumés to a potential employer. These mistakes can be as small as writing the wrong company in your cover letter to applying to out-of-town jobs without explaining why.

Addressing which mistakes you’re making will up your game and give you a boost of confidence the next time you hand in your résumé.

In your quest to find that perfect job, check the following common application mistakes to see if any are slowing down your career. .

You’re Submitting Too Many Résumés in One Day

While quantity over quality does trump some things in a few situations, that way of thinking doesn’t really apply when it comes to hunting for a new job.

Unless you’re a mastermind when it comes to applying for jobs, sending your résumé to 15 companies in one day is bound to blow up in your face and get you nowhere.

Ideally, you should be able to apply to two to three jobs in one day if you’re composing a thoughtful cover letter, doing research, and reformatting your résumé for each and every position that you apply to.

Your Cover Letter is Too Long

Cover letters are a great way to show your personality. However, that doesn’t mean that you should compose a novel with your whole work history — that’s what your résumé is for.

A long cover letter can lose the attention of the person reading it. They’ll quickly glance over it, and if they don’t see the qualifications that they’re looking for, they’ll go to the next application.

That’s why it’s important to keep your cover letter short and concise. Tell the hiring manager what you have to offer and why you want to work for the company. The quicker you can convey this message, the better.

You Don’t Have a Job Search Strategy

Whether you’re just beginning your career or looking to change industries, you probably won’t get very far if you don’t have a strategy when you’re searching for a new job.

Build a clear vision of the next role you want to be in. Where do you see yourself in the six months to a year? How much money are you hoping to have in your bank account?

Question your path and figure out what’s most important to you, then apply to job postings that fit your needs and wants.

You’re Not Using Your Network

Looking for a job can feel lonely. You’re competing with hundreds of applicants and it can be extremely stressful trying to find ways to stand out.

However, if you have a few friends in the industry that you’re applying to, you might be able to get your résumé looked at by connecting with one of them.

According to Accompany, 85 percent of jobs are filled through your professional network. So the next time you’re looking to try something new, reach out to your network that you activity keep in touch with and briefly mention that you’re in the marketing for a new job.

Only send your résumé if they request it, and tell them what kind of jobs you’re interested in applying for. While a job might not be available at that moment, something could pop up in the next couple of months.