It's true, we're in tough times and plenty of reasons out of your control can keep you from getting hired. But that's just one more reason to do everything within your power to be the best job seeker you can.
With that in mind, look over the following ways you might be unknowingly sabotaging your job search:
Don't talk about your job search
Most people aren't keen on being unemployed, and if you were laid off it's understandable that you don't want to spend all your time talking about it. But you need to network; it's one of the most effective ways to find a job. A friend of a friend of a friend often gets you the interview that lands you the job -- but that won't happen if no one knows you're looking for new career opportunities.
Looking for the perfect job
Although you want to conduct a focused job search, you need to keep an open mind. With any luck, you'll land the perfect gig, but sometimes you have to take a job that possesses most of the qualities you want -- not all of them. If the pay is right and the requirements are in line with your experience, then you might have to overlook the fact that you will have a longer commute than you had planned.
Burning bridges
We love the scenes in movies where the disgruntled employee finally tells off the boss and storms out of the office, only to live a happy, fulfilling life. In real life, these idols are probably unemployed because they don't have good references, and no employer wants to hire someone with a tarnished reputation.
Not keeping track of your applications
Because a job hunt can be lengthy, you should have a running list of where you've applied and whether or not you've heard back. Although you don't think you'll forget where you applied, after a dozen applications your memory can get fuzzy. Sending multiple applications to the same employer says, "I'm either disorganised or I'm just sending out bulk applications."
A generic cover letter
The only thing worse than no cover letter is one that could be sent to any anonymous employer. Starting with "To Whom It May Concern" and filling the page with phrases like "hard working" will signal the reader that you're blindly sending out applications to every job opening you see. Hiring managers are looking for someone who fits their needs, and their needs are different than another employer's. Don't treat them the same.
Typos
If you received a wedding invitation full of misspelled words and poor punctuation, you'd probably wonder why these two people didn't take the time to proofread the page. After all, it's an important event and a lot of people will be reading it. Employers will wonder the same thing about a CV or cover letter filled with errors.
Griping about past employers
Keep in mind that you're not guaranteed to be with any company forever. When you talk bad about your last company, your interviewer's thinking, "What are you going to say about me once you leave?"
Not asking questions
One quintessential interview question is, "Do you have any questions for me?" Sitting there silently suggests you're not invested in the job. When you go to a restaurant, you probably have a few questions for the waiter. Shouldn't you be just as curious about a new job?
Not doing your research
Research for a new job involves two important subjects: the position and the company. Find out as much about the position as you can so you can decide if you even want it and so you can position yourself as the best fit for the job.
Knowing all you can about the company will help you decide if you like its direction and share its ideals. Plus, when it comes to the all-important "Do you have any questions for us?" portion of the interview (see above), you have plenty of material to cover.
Being too honest
Not every job will turn into a lifelong career, and you might have no intention of staying at the company more than a year or two when you interview. Still, hiring managers don't want to hear that you're taking this job just to pass time until you find a real job that you care about. You don't need to commit yourself to the company for a decade, but don't make yourself sound like a flight risk, either.
Talking about money too soon
As eager as you are to land the job and cash your first paycheck, let the employer mention salary first. Broaching the subject first implies you're more eager about money than about doing a good job.
Stalking the hiring manager
If the interviewer gives you a deadline for hearing back from him or her, go ahead and call to see if a decision has been made. Do not call, e-mail and visit every day until you finally get a response -- which will probably be, "You definitely did not get the job."
Assuming you got the job
Don't ever assume you have the job until you actually hear the hiring manager say, "You got the job." Several factors can complicate whether or not you get hired, so don't halt your job search until you receive an offer. Keep searching for work because the deal might fall through at the last minute or you might find an even better job.
Forgetting the lessons you learned during a job search
When your hard work pays off and you do land a job, don't forget all the trials and trouble you went through to get it. Just because you have a paycheck doesn't mean you've looked for your last job. Remember how important it is to maintain a network, keep track of your achievements and have good references. If you do find yourself looking for work again, you'll have a much easier time. Don't forget mistakes from your past, either. Look back at jobs you hated and try to avoid landing one of those jobs again.
Assuming you'll never need to look for another job
If you have a job and you love it, then that's great. If you're happy there and see a promising future, let's hope you never have to leave. Nevertheless, you should always be prepared for the day you have to move on. Even if the boss loves you, things can change. Buyouts, economic disasters or changes in leadership can affect your employment. Continue to update your CV while you're employed so that you have an accurate record of your accomplishments.
http://www.careerbuilder.co.uk/Article/CB-365-Job-Search-How-you-can-easily-sabotage-your-job-search/?lr=int_ukyahoo&cachebypass=%24Y
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