Are you sabotaging your job search

without even realising? Often, it’s the

smaller, seemingly insignificant things

that could damage your chances of

landing a dream job.

Find out the most common ways in

which you can be sabotaging your job

search, without even realising.

10 LESS OBVIOUS REASONS WHY YOU DIDN’T GET THE JOB

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Remember, the interviewer will have

done their online and offline

research and will quickly be able to

spot any inconsistencies in your

work history, duties or employers.

Having inconsistent online profiles

and offline CVs is a common

mistake. To avoid this, succinctly

describe all aspects of previous

roles in your online profile and then

expand on those relevant to the job

when updating your CV.

1. YOUR ONLINE PROFILES AND OFFLINE CV MISMATCH

If you have been in your current role

for a while, you may have got

comfortable and unintentionally

neglected your professional

development.

If you aren’t familiar with the latest

version of Outlook or CRM, your CV

may come across as out of date to

potential employers. It’s equally

important that your skills develop and

advance in your existing role so that

you do not come across as lacking

motivation.

2. YOU HAVEN’T KEPT YOUR SKILLS FRESH

Job interviews can be nerve-

wracking. However, coming to the

interview flustered and visibly

anxious will affect how confidently

you deliver your answers.

Prepare before your interview in

order to reduce your anxiety.

Research the organisation, know

your unique selling points, anticipate

likely questions and prepare

examples that highlight relevant

skills.

Read more interview tips here.

3. YOUR NERVES HAVE GOT THE BETTER OF YOU DURING THE INTERVIEW

As soon as you’re sat in reception,

turn your phone off, put it in your

bag and leave it there. You don’t

want to risk it going off during the

interview.

It also looks aloof if you’re on your

phone whilst waiting for the

interviewer. It’s time to step into a

professional, phone free-interview

zone.

4. YOU HAVEN’T TURNED YOUR PHONE OFF AND PUT IT AWAY BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW

Recruiters and hiring managers

don’t want to read or hear about

what you think of yourself. Anyone

can claim to be ‘self motivated’ or a

‘team player’. Recruiters wants to

read about your results– they want

facts, figures stats – hard evidence.

Add numbers to your CV and use

examples in an interview to

demonstrate how your skills have

added value to your employers.

Read more CV tips here.

5. YOU HAVE INSUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE ON YOUR CV

Hiring managers will often ask you

to describe your greatest

weaknesses in order to find out if

you are willing to review your own

skills and take action.

If you respond by saying that you

don’t have any weaknesses, you will

come across as arrogant or

dishonest. Instead, share a real

weakness and then explain how you

overcame it.

Read more interview tips here.

6. YOU AREN’T HONEST ABOUT YOUR WEAKNESSES DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

All jobs now have a digital element

so make sure you mention your

digital skills in your CV and in an

interview. Digital literacy is needed

at all levels in most job functions.

Whether it’s creating an app rather

than a PowerPoint presentation,

generating leads on social media or

producing digital content, mention

how you are digitally proficient.

7. YOU ARE COMING ACROSS AS A DIGITAL DINOSAUR

Sending a link to a YouTube video

explaining why you are the best

candidate won’t help you stand out

in a good way. Unless the recruiter

has specifically asked for a video in

place of a CV, you will end up

looking slightly defiant.

A CV is the best way to apply for a

role because it contains the

information needed to determine if

your skills and experience make you

suitable to progress to the next

stage.

Read more CV tips here.

8. YOU HAVEN’T SUBMITTED A CV

Hiring managers do look at your

social media profiles, so make sure

all images, including on sites such

as LinkedIn, are professional.

This advice on how to optimise your

LinkedIn profile will help you.

Here’s how to use social media in

your job search.

9. THE PHOTOS ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES ARE INAPPROPRIATE

A lot of job seekers let themselves

down by using acronyms such as

‘bgd’ (background), ‘cre8’ (create)

and ‘b4’ (before) in communications

with their recruiter, on their

professional social media or even on

their CV. Keep your language

professional.

Updating your CV? This advice will

help you ensure it is error-free.

10. YOU ARE CUTTING CORNERS WITH YOUR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

These self-sabotaging behaviours

are not embedded and

unchangeable. Being self-aware,

open to feedback and constantly

willing to improve will set you apart

from other job seekers.

If you found this advice useful, you

may also enjoy these Viewpoint

blogs:

• Four steps to an error-free CV

• 14 things to do before your job

interview

• How to make a great impression

on your first day

GOOD LUCK!

ABOUT HAYS

Hays is a leading global

professional recruiting group, the

expert at recruiting qualified,

professional and skilled people

worldwide.

With over 9,214 staff operating from

252 offices in 33 countries across

20 specialism's, last year we placed

around 67,000 candidates into

permanent jobs, and around

220,000 people into temporary

assignments.

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