Top 3 Mistakes You're Probably Making with Your Job Search

Ever feel like you're giving it your all but still not having any results from your job search? 

You may already have the “right” things – e.g., a website / a rockin’ resume / a stellar LinkedIn profile, but still not having luck so you feel stuck.

Or, you may have gotten some interviews but plateaued since then. 

The truth is, job searching is never easy.  There are a lot of moving parts and it’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you’re doing it alone and when you’re juggling other things, like life.

I’ve helped hundreds of people find work they enjoy, and in the process have had the opportunity to peek under the hood of their job searches.  And in the process, I’ve seen some common mistakes crop up again and again.

I’ve even made all three of these mistakes myself, repeatedly when I was on the job market back in the day so I promise you I know the power of moving past them and kicking your search into high gear.

In this post, I’m sharing 3 of the biggest job search mistakes people make. My hope is that these will help you avoid weeks (or months) of trial and error, so you can fast-track your career growth.

Mistake 1: Not telling literally everyone

This is an easy mistake to make because in your mind, not only have you told everyone you know that you’re looking for a job but you’re convinced they’re sick of hearing about it.

That’s because your job search is most likely the number one thing taking up space in your brain because it’s your number one priority. As it probably needs to be. 

I had a session with a client a few weeks ago who I challenged to tell everyone, including her UPS delivery guy that she was still on the hunt for work. Boy did she push back. She let me know in no uncertain terms that everyone she knew was tired of hearing her job search struggles and that it made no sense to tell her nail tech because… why? 

The problem with thinking like this is that you’re not allowing people to help you (and people like to help) but also you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 

I gave my client the action item of telling (or re-telling) everyone in her world that she was looking and guess what? Not only did her own sister not know she was still looking, but her next door neighbor who she was only ‘wave over the fence’ acquainted with had an opportunity for her. She has an interview next week. 

How to solve it:

There are a few ways you can tackle this one:

• Focus on one or two connections each day. This way you’ll be able to have meaningful conversations without feeling like you’re spamming people.

• Use a site like Fishbowl to make even more connections.

• Don’t stress about sticking to your ‘professional’ network. Talk to your barber, your fave barista, your gym buddies etc.

Mistake 2: Not following up

Failing to follow up on job leads, conversations, or connections is a critical misstep that can derail your job search. When you neglect to follow through, you miss out on potential opportunities and risk being forgotten by employers or networking contacts. 

Timely follow-ups demonstrate your professionalism, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the position or relationship. They also keep you on the radar of decision-makers and can set you apart from other candidates who may not take this crucial step. As a recruiter I 100% brought a candidate in simply because their follow up email was at the top of my overflowing inbox.

Whether it's sending a thank-you note after an interview, checking in on the status of an application, or nurturing a new professional connection, consistent follow-up can be the difference between landing the job and watching opportunities slip away.

Put it simply, if you keep not following up, you will keep not getting the job.

How to solve it:

• Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours: not just after an interview, but after  meaningful conversations or connections, promptly send a personalized thank-you email. Express your appreciation for their time, reiterate your interest in the position or opportunity, and briefly mention a specific topic from your discussion to jog their memory. This shows professionalism and helps you stand out.

• Use a multi-channel approach to vary your follow-up methods based on the situation and the person's preferences. While email is often appropriate, consider also using LinkedIn messages, phone calls, slacks, DMs or even handwritten notes for a personal touch. This diversity in communication can help you stay memorable without seeming pushy.

• Schedule future check-ins for longer-term follow-ups, especially with networking contacts, set reminders to reach out periodically. Share relevant industry news, congratulate them on company milestones, or provide updates on your career progress. This keeps the relationship warm and positions you as  proactive and engaged.

• For more on following up, head to Mastering the Art of Job Search: Your Path to Fulfilling and Well-Paying Work

Mistake 3: Not going directly to the source

Doom scrolling the LinkedIn job board will not get you a job. Job boards are a great place for research but the job search gold is in going directly to the source.

Instead of being one of 200 candidates applying into the internet pile for a random job posting that seems like you can most likely be a fit for, you can actually get the hiring manager’s attention at a company you genuinely want to work for.

You just have to take the next step leap and put yourself out there a little bit.

Here’s what I advise clients to do:

1. Create a short list of companies/organizations/people you would be interested in working with.

2. Go directly to their site to see if they have any openings.

3. Either way, send your info and pitch directly to the hiring manager.

4. Also, check in with your network. Can someone refer you? Make that ask.

And because I believe knowledge should never be inaccessible, I want to offer you my workbook “How to Deal With Job Search Overwhelm” for free. Grab the free guide where I show you how to have a stress-free job search!

Wrapping it up

If you've been making these mistakes with your job search, it’s not your fault. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there. But once you’re aware of them, you can start making the changes you need to get that gig. 

If you want my help with your job search, I invite you to check out “Strategic networking. It can actually be fun & easy.” It’s workshop jam packed with all the info you need to make your network work for you.

Also, click here to download my free Job Search tracker now

If there's one thing I've learned in all my years in the industry, it’s that you really can do what you want to do (and get paid for it!).

Is your head still swimming with questions? I have a blog post that covers more job search essentials over here  and a newsletter packed with free, actionable advice right here.

Remember, I’m available to answer any questions here and on Instagram or TikTok.

Yours in ‘move on from mistakes’ goodness-

EBS

P.S. Click here to download HOW TO DEAL WITH JOB SEARCH OVERWHELM now and get 5 actionable ways kiss overwhelm goodbye.

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EB Sanders | Career Coach for Creative Types

ebsanders.com

ebs@ebsanders.com

Unsatisfied with your work? Start HERE now!

10 Things You Need to Know About Changing Careers

Tell me, how many articles on changing careers have you read so far?

That's what I thought.

By the end of this post, you will have a firm understanding of career changes and how they can fulfill your dreams.

Because “Career Change” is such a dense and complex topic, we will be spending a lot of time together.

As a career coach with over 20 years of experience helping folx figure out what they want to do, I have made it my mission to help people like you create careers that they actually enjoy.

Do you want to know more about how to change careers with the least amount of friction possible? Have a look over here for a free workshop to get you started.

Let's dive into everything you need to know about changing careers. You'll be a master of it in no time!

Psst…Want to download this guide so you can keep it handy? I created a downloadable PDF so you can do just that.

Download the Career Change Starter Kit now >>

Career Change Element #1: How to change your career when you have no idea?

Before we delve into exactly how to change careers, we need to look at how to change careers when you have no idea. 

What many people get wrong about making a career change is thinking you can only have a successful career change by focusing on the skills you posses.

So what you need to understand to be successful is that you need to start not with your skills, but with your values. 

For example, my client James ended up  switching from the healthcare “industry” to working with his hands. He was burnt out on what the industry actually valued (hint, not people or health) and he wanted to do something where not only could he see the fruits of his labor but he actually helped people and made them happy. He’s gone on to be a successful contractor/builder/designer and is living his values.

Don't be scared to get personal with your professional. Knowing who you are will allow you to find work that actually works for you.

How to prepare for changing careers

Before you jump in and do the thing, there are some things you can do upfront to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible. It’s important to set some guidelines and goals so that you can create a clear roadmap for yourself.

You've got an internal compass that you use every day to direct and define your experience on this planet whether you realize it or not.

Your values and priorities, while they can change, are wired in deep at the core of who you are. They help you know what's important to you and help you create meaning in your life.

They're also the powerful foundations for any kind of meaningful goal. So let's get started with defining what they ARE, shall we?

Here are some other tips to ensure success:

• Do your best to not compare your career journey and outcomes to others. Comparison really is the thief of joy.

• Do set goals and milestones that truly resonate with you and your values and not what you believe is “supposed” to be the right path.

• Do let yourself think past set expectations of what you believe to be possible. Your literally can’t know what’s doable until you give it a shot.

Career Change Element #2: Finding your unique career doesn't have to be rocket science

Figuring out your ideal job can be as straightforward or complicated as you make it.

I’m not saying it’s easy. This is a crucial step that many people struggle with, even after they have spent months or even years trying to find a unique job that pays well. It’s actually pretty common to shift gears once you’ve decided on a new career for a while and it’s time to tweak it to make it your ideal job.

But what’s important when you’re just starting out is to keep your momentum going. Too many people procrastinate making a decision with their career change and then they have a hard time moving forward because they are scared. 

So if you’ve been struggling with the fear, this post will guide you through the process from start to finish. 

Your ideal career is absolutely personal and only you can decide what it truly is. Some questions you can ask yourself to better define what work would actually make you happy are:

1. What are your top priorities in your life right now?

2. What activities make you feel inspired/purposeful/powerful? Why?

3. What do you want to accomplish through your work?

4. When you are at your absolute best, who are you being?

5. Imagine you just had an ideal week. What three things did you do/tasks did you complete?

Career Change Element #3: Yes, you have a career narrative

Did you shake your head and think, “My career doesn't have a story, I’m just bumbling along like everyone else”?

Let’s talk about that for a minute. 

Every career has a narrative. Think about what makes you unique and your journey make sense. For me (before I put the pieces together) I couldn’t see that my two big career changes had any story other than “This lady has no idea what to do.” But going from teaching to staffing to coaching is the story of someone who absolutely loves helping people figure things out. Things like who they are and what they want to do and what makes them happy.

Things to think about when it comes to your career narrative:

• What do your past experiences have in common? Look for the string that ties all your past work experiences together.

• Where are you heading in my future? Suss out what all those experiences have meant in terms of where you’re headed now.

• What is your greatest accomplishment? This can be from school, work, your life, anywhere. But think about why you consider it such an accomplishment.

Career Change Element #4: Find your ideal career.

When you think about your career, what do you consider to be your biggest hurdle when it comes to being happy in it? It’s time for a little professional growth, career planning, self-assessment.

Hear me out. You have to be specific, because you will gain more clarity on what you bring to the table as a candidate and why you should be a no brainer hire in your ideal career. Hey, dream big!

One of the best ways to get crystal clear on what your ideal career would look like is to take a personal deep dive. Start a journal, meditate, put sticky notes on the wall - whatever makes the most sense for you, but you want to get dep and honest about what your sticking points are and how (or if) you want to overcome them.  

If you don’t drill down and get specific you’ll find yourself in the same place you are now, only doing it from the other side of a career change. 

If you think you don’t have time for this, let me tell you that you’ll be wasting time if you skip it. You will spend months and months researching available careers and roles out there and talking to the wrong people and then not be able to change into a career that actually makes you happy.

Career Change Element #5: Align your work values with your values

Chances are when you imagine what your career should represent, you haven’t actually thought about it too deeply. 

This isn't necessarily wrong but you really want to know your values and make sure your career and work are in alignment.

If you focus on what you actually value (not what you’ve been told to think of as important), your values will show through, attract the right employers and allow you to find some meaning in your work.

When Mel first came to me, she was struggling to get clear on her personal values. By the end of our time together, she became crystal clear on her values and how they informed her priorities. She then ended up changing careers from one that was “ok” to one that absolutely resonated with those same values, completely re energizing her work and her longtime goals.

Related Post: Want A Career that makes you happy? Tell me What You Value.

Career Change Element #6: Find your work purpose

Whew! You're halfway through this guide on changing careers. How are you doing? Full speed ahead or flagging? Grab yourself a cup of whatever makes you happy to keep you going.

If you've been paying attention so far, you may be wondering, “How exactly do I find my “purpose”? Does my career even have to have a bigger purpose?”

The answer? No. 

Surprised? I don’t believe that you need (or should) to dig that deep. Your work shouldn’t necessarily be your life’s purpose. Should it allow you the life you want to live and feel that you’re being true to yourself? Absolutely. Should it be your “dream” job and be the container for all your hopes and sense of purpose? Whoa. No.

This isn’t about “finding your purpose” or “finding your passion” this is about outlining what you want your career to do for you. 

In a nutshell, here’s what it looks like find meaning in your work without worrying about finding your purpose:

• Step #1: Clarify what you want your career to provide you

• Step #2: Identify your values and priorities as you understand them to be today

• Step #3: Determine what makes you feel empowered, inspired and/or purposeful

• Step #4: Based on your parameters decided on in steps 1-3, research what roles and fields fall in line with them

These steps are just the tip of it. I have this in-depth blog post Navigating the Career Maze: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Perfect Fit

Career Change Element #7: Consider the career pivot 

Have you heard of career pivot before? Don't worry, there is no shaming here if you haven't.

While career switch and career transition are more well-known in, going for a career pivot isn't discussed as often.

A career pivot is exactly what it sounds like. You’re not making a drastic change or transition but simply… pivoting. This might mean taking on a different role in your field or the same role in a different field, or changing industries but keeping the same title, role responsibilities and goals. For most people this means moving just a little. Either by taking on new responsibilities or expanding your purview.

I am no gatekeeper over here at EB Sanders Coaching! I love sharing all the ins and outs of all things career, and career pivot is one of those less obvious parts that many overlook and then they think they have to throw everything out and start from scratch with a complete career change as a result. 

Career pivot is doing what you do in a slightly different way. That’s it.

In other words, let’s say you’re an office manager and you pivot to project management in the same field (maybe even same organization). The roles have lots of overlap but they are distinct and different enough to technically be a different career.

Here’s how you can add career pivot to your new career possibilities research:

• Audit all the tasks, role responsibilities and skills you engage with in your current role.

• List all the role responsibilities you’d like to take on.

• Brainstorm multiple ways you could do that with as little friction as possible.

Career Change Element #8: Shout out your professional reinvention

Professional reinvention is where you take everything you've learned so far about your ideal career, your career narrative, and personal branding to create the perfect “recipe”- e.g., spot-on sales materials that resonate and pull people in.

Fact is, you can’t create the career of your dreams without having all your other marketing materials in place. Sorry, no shortcuts!

What am I even talking about? Your LinkedIn profile, a resume that resonates, and if it makes sense a portfolio or website to highlight your work.

To help you get started, here are some deep dives into each of these: 

• How to Sell Yourself Into the Job You Want (The 3 Things You Need to Have)

• Creating an Impressive Resume and Portfolio: Your Gateway to Career Success

• How to Redo Your Resume in 8 Easy Steps (So You Can Get a Job With Better Benefits)

• The 10 Strategies You Need to Know to Get Your LinkedIn Profile Noticed.

Career Change Element #9: Your action plan

Shout out to everyone who's still reading at this point. We’re just about there!

Now that you’ve thought deeply and made some decisions about your career change it’s time to make an action plan. You might be getting excited about future possibilities and just want to get going but unless you make a detailed action plan you will find yourself most likely overwhelmed.

When you're creating your career change action plan, here are some things you need to consider:

• Thing #1. – What is your end goal? Unless you are very clear on exactly what it is you want to do, you will waste time and effort. 

• Thing #2. – Start with your end goal and reverse engineer all the milestones, action items, tasks and to do’s you’ll need to hit to make sure you reach your goal.

• Thing #3. - Think about what you will need during this process to keep from being overwhelmed and to stay motivated. Make sure you set up the support system that will help you succeed.

For me, this was the most important thing I learned during my first career change. I didn’t have a plan and I just went into all a willy nilly. Not only did it take me years to change careers, I was overwhelmed, stressed out, confused and stressed. Did I mention stressed? 

For my second career change I mapped out everything in detail (maybe a bit obsessively) but it served me well. I was able to make a complete change in a fraction of the time, with way less overwhelm and minimal stress.

If you’d like some help with all this, head here:

Career Change Element #10: Networking matters, a lot

Ding, ding, ding, here we are at your career change!

This is my favorite element of the whole process. I know I say that in every post, but this time it's because when people learn to enjoy networkings, it takes their career to a whole new level. Gone are the days of feeling like an imposter looking from the outside in.

Do you remember when I said you needed an optimized LinkedIn profile?

You might have read that and rolled your eyes, but now I hope you can see how setting yourself up for networking success is setting yourself up to actually enjoy your work.

If you approach it as meeting and hanging out with nice folx who share interests with you, it becomes a whole different ballgame.

Key Takeaways

I hope this mammoth post about changing careers has made the puzzle pieces of finding a unique job, creating meaningful work, and crafting your ideal life come together in your mind.

I have all the faith that you will not only figure out what your “dream” job is but create a plan that allows you to get that gig!

If you have any questions, reach out here or on Instagram. There are no wrong questions, and I am always happy to hear from you!

A final tip for you for reading through to the very end:

All of your hard work put into your career will pay off. Do not give up. Rock that career change. You're getting your happy future! I am so excited for you.

Don’t forget to download your Career Change Starter Kit below…

And if you want more help with your career change or pivot, go ahead and grab yourself free consult call.

Yours in ‘do what you want’ career goodness,

EBS

___

EB Sanders | Career Coach for Creative Types

ebsanders.com

ebs@ebsanders.com

Unsatisfied with your work? Start HERE now!