Avoid Common Job Search Mistakes: Here Are the Biggest Ones to Watch Out For

BCG Attorney Search is the nation's largest and most geographically diverse recruiting firm specializing exclusively in permanent attorney placements. They currently have more attorney openings, in more practice areas and locations, than any other legal recruiting firm.

 

Summary

When searching for a job, it is common to make several mistakes that can be easily avoided. These are some of the biggest job search errors that job seekers tend to make when looking for employment.


The first mistake people make when searching for a job is underestimating the importance of networking. Networking is essential in the job search process and should not be overlooked. It can help open doors and provide valuable information about potential job opportunities.

Furthermore, people often forget to tailor their resumes and cover letters to the position they are applying for. They should be tailored to the job, organization, and industry they are applying to in order to stand out.

Another one of the biggest job search mistakes is submitting the same resume and cover letter to each job. People should customize their resumes and cover letters according to the job they are applying to, in order to demonstrate that they are the ideal candidate for the position.

Additionally, some may underestimate the power of a thank-you letter following an interview. This can help them stand out from the competition and demonstrate their enthusiasm for the position.

Finally, people may forget to follow-up after sending in their resume. This can be done by sending emails or making phone calls to the hiring manager to demonstrate their interest in the job.

Overall, job seekers should be aware of the common job search mistakes they may be making in order to land their dream job. They should emphasize networking, tailor their resumes and cover letters to specific jobs, send thank-you letters following an interview, and follow-up to demonstrate their enthusiasm. By avoiding these common job search errors, they can increase their chance of landing the perfect job.
 

The Biggest Job Search Mistakes

With the increasing competition in the job market, making any mistakes in your job search process can be disastrous. It is essential that you are aware of the common mistakes made in the process of searching for your next job so that you can avoid them and improve your chances of success.
 

Sticking with Traditional Job Search Methods

When it comes to job search, many job seekers stick with traditional methods, such as distributing a large number of resumes, submitting numerous job applications, or attending job fairs. While these methods may be effective for some, it is important to realize that these approaches can often result in a large amount of wasted time and energy, as the job you are seeking may not be offered through any of these methods. To maximize your job search efforts and chances of finding the best job opportunity, it is essential to utilize digital job search tools. These tools include job search websites, professional networking sites, such as LinkedIn, and career-focused blogs, among others.
 

Lack of Relevant Experience or Qualifications

When searching for a job, many job seekers limit their scope to positions that match their existing experience and qualifications. However, many employers are seeking job seekers who possess some transferable skills and have the potential to learn new skills quickly and efficiently. If you do not possess the exact qualifications or experience for a particular job opportunity, but you are confident that you possess the necessary skills and abilities, it is important to explain how your existing skills can be applied to the new role. In addition, it is important to demonstrate that you are willing to learn any new skills required for the job.
 

Failing to Prepare for Interviews

When attending interviews for job opportunities, it is essential to be prepared. Doing your research on the company, the job role, and the industry can help demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the position. It is also important to be aware of potential interview questions and potential answers. Additionally, practice interviews with a friend or family member may help you to prepare better and be more confident during the actual interview.

The biggest mistakes that attorneys and law students make in their job search can be summed up by looking at the letters that make up one word: ASSUME.

Assume. Don't assume anything. Whether this is your first job or your twentieth, always be aware that the job market has surprises in store for you. Nobody - whether it is you, a colleague, a mentor, or a professor - knows everything. Only people trained in legal employment can offer accurate advice, and even then, you'll find that there are thousands of opinions out there. For every "fact" that someone tells you or that you think you know, there is someone who can show you the truth. If you keep an open mind in your job search, you will be able to avoid the biggest mistake out there.

Settle. Never settle for something until you've made sure that there is nothing better out there. Too many attorneys take the first opportunity that came around, only to realize a month later it was a mistake. You don't need to be desperate. By performing a job search that is comprehensive, you will always know that not only have you found a job, but you've found the best job that is out there for you. One offer is good, but getting four or five offers is great!

Snooze. Once you've decided that you need to look for a job, don't snooze. Mount a complete, aggressive job search that will be pro-active. The worst job search is the occasional one, applying to the select job opening every few days. That type of perpetual job seeking is useless, depressing, and will rarely provide the best opportunity. By snoozing, you'll end up making bad assumptions, as well, giving yourself inaccurate advice about the state of the job market and your chances of finding a job. It's self-perpetuating, and before you know it, you're miserable at your current job again.

Underestimate. The job market is huge. Many people think that because there are only a few jobs being posted in their area, there are only a few opportunities available. This is absolutely not true. Most major locations have hundreds, if not thousands of legal employers. Since most jobs are never advertised, underestimating the job market by focusing on job postings will limit your possibilities a hundredfold. Most Legal Authority clients send out 500 or more letters, and they're only tapping into 5-10% of the job market in their given location!

Mismanage. Spend your time wisely. If you're currently employed, you have very little time to look for work, and you need to avoid mismanaging your time. If you're not employed, you need to find the best job out there (not just any job!) as soon as possible. If you can simultaneously mount an aggressive job search, network, draft the perfect resume and cover letter, and apply to any openings you see, you will find that success is much closer. Being able to rely on a service like Legal Authority to do the grunt work for you will allow you to spend your time wisely and find the best opportunities much quicker and more efficiently.

Expect. Don't expect things to happen for you. You have to make them happen. Even if you have great contacts and people have said that they would "pull some strings" at work, don't rely on that. If a recruiter says she has a great fit for you and just has to check with the firm, that's great news, but why would you want to wait and see? What if it doesn't work out? Then you're three weeks behind in your job search with nothing to show for it. The only person who has your job search as his/her top priority is you.

If you don't assume, settle, snooze, underestimate, mismanage, or expect, you will find that your job search is much less painful. You'll be able to find more opportunities, get the best possibility for your experience, and avoid being trapped in that cycle of job-seeking and depression that happens to too many attorneys and law students.