In our recent blog posts, we have covered how to get started when writing your CV; how to make it appealing to employers; and what else you can include to add value. However, your CV is only part of the equation, so what else should you think about? Here, we outline the top 5 mistakes that people make when they are looking for a new job:
1. Applying for every job you see:
When you are out of work, it is really easy to just apply for everything, hoping that something will come good. This is not always a good idea, and can be exhausting. If you can, try and shortlist the jobs that you are really suited to, and tailor your applications to show that you are a good fit. This will hopefully keep you motivated (as you are only applying for jobs that you actually want), and reduce the number of rejections or ghostings that you receive.
2. Sending the same CV to everyone
In big, bold letters, because this is important: Tailor every application that you send! This doesn’t just mean changing a few words in your cover letter to reflect the job title and company name, but you should think about rewriting your CV and cover letter each time – if you use our tips then this becomes much easier and less time-consuming.
3. Not following the instructions
It sounds simple, but you would be amazed how many people fail to do what they are asked when making applications. If they ask you to email a CV and cover letter, then do that; but many jobs ask you to fill out an online application form, others require you to upload documents to a portal. Whatever thay ask of you, make sure you follow the instructions; if you don’t then you are just giving them a reason to ignore your application and move onto the next candidate.
4. Relying on the same old job sites
Let’s start by saying that sites like Indeed, Reed and Total Jobs are great – a really good way to find out what is out there, make applications and get job alerts. Don’t just rely on these though; where possible, find out what other sites might be suitable for your sector (e.g. use mandy.com for stage and screen jobs, or NHS jobs for healthcare). This leads neatly onto:
5. Not looking for “hidden” jobs
This feels really daunting, but remember that the majority of jobs are not actually advertised, so where do you find them? Large businesses will usually advertise via their own websites and some of the job search engines listed above; but small and local businesses are more likely to hire on word-of-mouth, or to advertise informally via LinkedIn or social media. Get yourself online and start following and connecting with people; we will have more about the hidden jobs market in the next few weeks.
Remember that you we are here to support your job search and career planning! If you would like advice about your CV, cover letter or job applications, then get in touch.
Karuna CV 
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