by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: June 05, 2009

Job seekers today face an increasingly complex job search. Not only do they have to post a resume on several online job search engines, they also must consider promoting themselves on social media and even creating an online multimedia resume on sites such as VisualCV. With all there is to do, it's not difficult for one or two minor mistakes to fall through the cracks. While such oversights may be small, they can prove disastrous. So what can job seekers to do avoid common job hunting mistakes?

Avoiding Common Interviewing Pitfalls

One of the most common oversights job seekers must learn to tackle has to do with effective interviewing. Whether by telephone or in-person, candidates must follow a general set of guidelines in order to wow employers and land the job.

Interviewing by phone. During phone interviews, candidates typically tend to be more relaxed and casual. However, a more lackadaisical tone translates into the employer forming a picture of a total slacker. The job applicant should always stand up and walk around during phone interviews to promote a proactive, confident tone of voice. Additionally, the candidate should answer "yes" (at the same time being honest) rather than getting off topic or going on a tangent. Telling the employer more than they need to know may end up reflecting poorly on the job seeker.

Interviewing in person. As with the phone interview, the job seeker should not be overly casual during an in-person interview. Dress code should generally be business casual depending on the organization. For example, government employees and executives typically dress formal while many technology company employees dress business casual. Other common interviewing mistakes include

* asking the interviewer about salary and vacation time
* exhibiting poor body language that says, "I don't like that question," "This is boring," or, "I'm not a team player" (e.g., looking at watch, folding arms, frowning, or eye-rolling)
* taking mobile phone calls or texts during an interview (turn the phone OFF before entering the room)

Avoiding Resume and Cover Letter Errors

The number one error employers look for is spelling or grammar oversights on both the resume and cover letter. Job seekers should always run the word processor's spellchecker to ensure spelling accuracy. Proper grammar and punctuation is important as well; mistakes such as run-on sentences, misplaced apostrophes, and improper use of capitalization can make the candidate appear uneducated and unqualified.

Inflating the Resume

In today's difficult job market, inflating or even lying on the resume is tempting to get a leg up on the competition. But if the employer suspects the candidate has not been honest about job skills and experience, it is a surefire guarantee the job application will be immediately discarded. Job seekers should always highlight relevant experience but never lie just to land the job.

The job search can be a time-consuming, confusing process. However, learning how to avoid mistakes in the interviewing process, ensuring the accuracy of the resume and cover letter, and being truthful about job skills and experience will increase job search success.

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