The Do’s and Don’ts of an Effective Job Search
Low-ROI Job Search Activities:
❌ Applying to jobs that you are completely unqualified for, hoping for a miracle – it’s probably not happening, especially in this job market
❌ Spending all day on Indeed, CareerBuilder, and ZipRecruiter – you don’t have to ignore them completely, but putting all of your eggs in this basket is a huge mistake
❌ Submitting the same generic resume to all opportunities
❌ Contacting recruiters without researching their specialty area(s) or choosing to ignore quality recruiters altogether
❌ Commenting on LinkedIn posts with “Interested” or “I’m open” – lazy and uninspiring
❌ Obsessing over and even worse, publicly complaining about “the ATS”, automatic rejections, ghosting, etc. – you’re not wrong, but you’re also not helping yourself
High-ROI job search activities:
✅ Applying to jobs that you are truly qualified for – be realistic about your skills, strengths, and limitations
✅ Deploying an all-of-the-above job search – reaching out to established contacts, applying on job boards, speaking with trusted recruiters, browsing company websites, etc.
✅ Networking with former colleagues, clients, friends, and family – people who know what you have to offer and are happy to vouch for you
✅ Tailoring your resume to prioritize skills and experiences that align with the READER’S needs (this should only take a few minutes)
✅ Building relationships with quality recruiters who specialize in your field – their client relationships, insights, and ability to open doors and navigate obstacles can be invaluable
✅ Rising above the job search drama – job searching can be demoralizing and certain behaviors can be downright disgusting, but it is imperative that you keep plugging away with a positive attitude – to protect your sanity and your reputation
Hope this list is helpful. What did I miss?
A Certified Professional Résumé Writer with 10+ years of recruiting experience, I have written 2,800+ résumés during my career. I maintain a 99.99% satisfaction rate and generate 80%+ of my business through word of mouth referrals. This is my full time profession and I do not outsource any of the work; you will work directly with me throughout the entire process.
