The hardest habits to break are those that we do not even realize are bad habits. While it is easy enough to identify smoking and drinking too much coffee as forms of bad habits because of their damaging effects on our health, it is not quite as easy to identify bad job search habits. However, becoming aware of these habits and correcting them may be just be the break that you need to find the right job. Below are four bad job search habits that you should try to break.

1. Relying on your resume alone to land the job.

While this habit may have been harmless in a less competitive job market, it can lead to a lot of missed opportunities in today's challenging economic environment. You must supplement resume submissions with other ways of getting a job like networking, cold calling, knocking on doors and following up on leads.

2. Sending too many copies of your resume.

“Shotgunning” a resume means sending your resume to everyone you can think of who might have a job opening. While you should never be discouraged to apply for various job positions at one time, you should still remain focused of your skill set and relevant work experience. Try “targeting” your resume to specific job positions that show a close correlation to your professional qualifications. This means that you should research a company on the Internet prior to applying, and then tailoring your resume to suit their unique corporate culture.

While being humble has its advantages, these do not work in the competitive world of job hunting. You not only have to tell people that you are unemployed, but you have to actually ask them to help you in your quest to get back on your feet. Moreover, you should also be able to deliver an elevator speech about your major achievements. You never know when you may bump into someone who knows someone who is looking for someone just like you. Additionally, boldly ask for references from former supervisors and those who know you within a business context.

4. Getting distracted while job hunting.

The Internet has many temptations for those using it for any particular task. While it is a great place to look for employers and fill out applications, the Internet can also be a source of distraction. There are always interesting websites to visit for momentary relief from the stress of job hunting. However, a five-minute break on Facebook can extend to a much longer session catching up with old friends.

Replacing these bad habits with more productive ones will make a huge difference in your success in finding the right job. Consider your job hunt, a job in itself. It is recommended to spend at least eight hours a day and 40 hours a week at it just as you would if you had a regular full-time job.

Back