Friday, October 30, 2009

Don't Derail Your Job Search With This Mistake

There's one consistent mistake I see that completely derails a person's job search. And I'm seeing it more and more.

Disappearing.

I don't know if people get frustrated, embarrassed or just lose their desire, but I'm seeing way too many job seekers drop out of sight. As important as networking is in any job search, disappearing (for even a little while) will ensure that your chances of getting a job will come to a screeching halt.

I know quite a few people looking for work (happens when you write a career blog). However, if I hear of a job opening, maybe a quarter of those people will come to mind. I have no idea if the rest are still looking (I assume they are) because I haven't heard from them in months. Which means they may miss out on a great opportunity.

Keep yourself visible. Go to industry events. Volunteer. Post regularly on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Let people know you are out there. If you disappear, you effectively end your chances of finding out about available jobs. Because, if you are counting solely on job boards, you are, to put it bluntly, screwed.

I've mentioned before that finding a job is your full-time job. So set aside a part of everyday to follow up with a set number of people. Don't be afraid to let them know you are actively seeking employment. And remember, at the end of every conversation, ask "Do you know anyone else I should be talking to?"

How will people know you are looking for a job if you don't tell them?

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Writer's Note: Funny I should write about disappearing after having disappeared from this blog for the past six weeks. Sorry about that. Anything you want me to write about? Just post a comment with a question and I'll be sure to cover it, or get back to you.


5 comments:

Unknown said...

Great post Kev. Staying on radar screens is so important for job seekers. Continue to love your insights on job seeking and plan to send several of my PR students to it when I start teaching again in January.

Katie Pierce said...

This is a pertinent post for job seekers. What would you recommend to a college freshman or sophomore? I would gladly pass along your words of wisdom to the students in my freshman seminar.

Literature and global Internet bussinesses said...

Hello...I like your post,and I absolutely agree that the positive attitude will help for everybody.Don't same that you are unemployed,ask everybody for information or help...I am a beginner blogger.Can you share me your tactic to make large traffic to my site without a large expenses?

Losers Of Tomorrow said...

Hey Kevin its Devin from Grandview High School. i sent you an email with my url to my youtube page, here it is again if you haven't seen it yet.

youtube.com/losers0ftomorrow

just copy and paste it to your address bar if it doesn't make a link.

RachelH said...

Well put, Kevin. It says a lot about a potential candidate who exhibits the same comprehensive, positive effort into securing a job that an employer would expect to see on the job.