As a job seeker, your goal is to distinguish yourself from the competition rather than blend in. To increase the chances of getting your dream job, read on to identify whether you fall under this category of the five worst types of jobs seekers.
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Employers get it. You want to stand out. You want to demonstrate to them that not only are you the perfect fit for the job you are applying for but the only one. And you know what? It’s perfectly ok. In fact, it’s one of the surefire ways of landing a job.
But, how do you know when you’ve gone too far?
Given the prevailing market condition, job hunting can be as exhausting as carrying a bag of sand up a hill. As tough as it is, the last thing you want as a job seeker is to get rejected for job offers continuously. To increase the chances of getting your dream job, read on to identify whether you fall under this category of the five worst types of job seekers.
Let’s set the ball rolling with…
1. The Liar
Some call them the Pinocchio. They're the type of people who seem to be out of this world. They falsify their credentials and accomplishments to make themselves appear more qualified than they actually are. They present themselves as though they have already achieved all the position’s requirements to demonstrate their suitability. However, they fall short of their expectations in the job interview or the job itself.
It's essential to keep in mind that if you're shortlisted, the company will almost certainly conduct a verification check. If you are discovered to be lacking, your reputation will be torn to pieces. Undeniably, you will also not get hired soon.
If you fall into this category, you should know that misinformation is unacceptable. It's something you don't want to have on your employment history. Be forthright. Review your CV, weed out any inaccuracies, and pay attention to the dates and job experience. Verify that your CV has only factual information, include relevant keywords, and emphasize your most impressive accomplishments.
2. The unprepared candidate
Different stages of the job application process require different levels of preparation. Unprepared job seekers often have outdated CVs and social media profiles. Furthermore, when asked questions like, “Why should we hire you?” they gaze at the interviewer with a blank expression.
Does this sound like you? If so, here are a few things to run by:
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Revise your CV and cover letter to reflect your current situation
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Refresh your social media profiles
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Find out as much as you can about potential employers, including company policies, culture, and any other benefits that may be significant to you
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Preparing ahead of time will help you get a better deal on your salary
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Evaluate your brand
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “If you prepare yourself at every point as well as you can...you will be able to grasp the opportunity for broader experience when it appears.” It should go without saying that if you want your job search to be successful, you need to be well-prepared.
3. The generic sender
In their haste to land a job, these job seekers send out the same single copy of their cover letter and resume to every prospective company. Nobody will bother to look at your resume if it appears as a template pulled from an online resume maker, with no work and only minor changes to make it acceptable. Your name will be permanently etched into the “No list.”
You should customize your resume to the position, organization, and industry you’re applying to. For example, you don't want to find yourself applying for a social media manager role without having any relevant knowledge or experience in the digital marketing industry.
4. The desperado
What should you do after submitting your CV? Exactly how long should you wait before reaching out to the potential employer or recruiter? Are you the type to blow up the recruiter’s phone thirty minutes after an interview?
More than 75% of recruiters deal with 150 prospects simultaneously, which means that the 6% of candidates who follow up on a regular basis are a significant time drain.
Yes, you need to maintain a steady level of contact, but it doesn't mean you should go overboard. Recruiters aren't going to get back to you on the same day. Some take a few days, while others go on for weeks or even months. Following up too aggressively is a mistake that you should avoid at all costs. Keep calm and wait for the recruiters to contact you if you've been given an approximate time frame. You'll come across as desperate if you constantly call or send follow-up emails to recruiters.
5. The overachiever
Overachievers are said to be operating in what is known as “The Paradox of Excellence.” They'd rather do the wrong thing well than do the right thing poorly. This drive to be the best tends to make them overdo certain things during their job hunt.
These job seekers will go out of their way to impress recruiters by listing off all of their accomplishments. They are willing to go the extra mile to revamp their CVs to more than six pages to secure the job.
If you are an overachiever, sometimes it’s best to acknowledge that less is more. When a recruiter asks you a question, make sure to answer it in the most relevant way possible. Additionally, make sure to include in your resume only those experiences that are directly related to the position for which you're applying.
Conclusion
As a job seeker, your goal is to distinguish yourself from the competition rather than blend in. However, in your efforts to stand out, there are limits. Take a little more effort on your part to demonstrate to recruiters that you are the best fit for the position.
Have you figured out what kind of job seeker you are? Which others have we left out? We'd love to hear from you in the comment section.
