5 mistakes to avoid in your job search

Written By Marcus Moody

As a career transition coach I’ve worked with many senior executives who find themselves at an inflexion point in their careers. They are all extremely capable and experienced professionals yet they often share similar themes when asked about their challenges. These are some of the most frequent mistakes I see people making and how I recommend you deal with them.

Mistake 1 — Directionless Travel

The first mistake is to rush off without knowing where you’re going, what I call Directionless Travel. People often assume that they will land an equivalent role at a similar company on about the same package that they were on before. This is not as easy as you might hope. Instead, I suggest you take time at the start of your search, to really think about what you want to be doing for the next 5–10 years. Work out what your realistic options might be and what’s going to make you happy. Your career coach or your close friends will help you work that out.

Mistake 2 —the Overcooked CV

The second problem is the Overcooked CV. There’s always a temptation to include every possible skill and capability in your CV or your LinkedIn profile in the hope that this will somehow help you land that well-paid senior job. In truth, the CV is just a list of facts and dates. Don’t waste too much time on it. What’s more important is your story. What’s the thing that you’re really good at?What sort of companies do you serve and what is the challenge that those companies are struggling with? Your CV should be short and factual, a few simple bullet points to back up your story.

Mistake 3 — the Mass Mailing

The third thing that I have seen people doing is frantically sending out their CV and covering letter to as many people as possible, the Mass Mailing, followed up by a phone call or a meeting request. Recruiters have access to a billion or more potential candidates via LinkedIn. Trust me, nobody wants more CVs. Instead of sending out your CV, talk to people who know you well. Be curious, ask them for their insight on the issues that you are seeking to focus on. Those people will become your eyes and ears in the marketplace.

Mistake 4 — the Headhunter Obsession

A lot of people waste huge amounts of time chasing recruiter (usually because this is what someone told them to do). This Headhunter Obsession is almost always a forlorn quest. If the recruiter is already part of your network, then that makes them a good person to reconnect with. (If not, they are very unlikely to remember you.) Seek their advice about what is realistic for you at this stage of your career. Don’t expect them to have the right job for you at this precise moment. The chances of that happening are so small as to be virtually non-existent. Stick to the people you know.

Mistake 5 — the Gentle Follow-up

Finally, there’s the Gentle Follow-up. Active job seekers somehow feel that they have to follow up every few weeks. You don’t. Headhunters don’t have time to respond properly. They don’t need one more email or phone call to deal with. Your message is more of a nuisance than you realise. Stick to people you know and have a connection with. Have a quick catch up if it feels natural, but don't make it about you. Instead, use it as an opportunity to see how they’re doing and what sort of issues they come up against. That’s more likely to make it a memorable conversation. 

These are some of the common mistakes people make. I hope you can avoid some of them. If you’re curious to know how I work with people like you, book a call or get in touch. And good luck with your search!

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About the Author

Anthony Harling is an well known Senior Executive Career Coach and an expert in his field. Specialising in executive career transition, executive personal branding and strategic networking for senior leaders. Drawing on decades of experience in executive recruitment and leadership, he helps executives define their next move, strengthen their professional reputation and access opportunities beyond traditional job searching.

Marcus Moody
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