One of the best things about being involved and engaged via social media is the opportunity to meet and get to know so many colleagues online. When we were planning out how to launch our eBook, You Need a Job, 5 Steps to Get One, Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) and I brainstormed about ways to share useful information for readers, and we both knew we wanted to tap into the brain trust in our extended social networks.

Many of these people, we have met in person, or have spoken to on the phone. Others we know only online, but weâ€re both thrilled and proud all of them agreed to share a tip (or two!) in response to the question: What mistakes do job seekers make?

(This is part one of two posts I have on tap this weekend with great information from our colleagues — and Hannah has two unique posts filled with more information planned for the weekend as well. – I told you our colleagues had plenty to share about the subject!) Be sure to check out Hannah’s post today.

 Getting started: strategy and planning (for everything)

Itâ€s so important to start off on the right foot. Many of our colleagues agree that strategy and being organized is key to job-search success:

Job seekers execute their job search without a strategy; they shoot, then aim, and unfortunately, this almost always results in a miss. ~ Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, Career Trend.

Job seekers miss 30% of the opportunities because they’re simply disorganized and fail to track and follow up every single lead and application ~ Sital Ruparelia

Many jobseekers do not take time to record a personalized voice mail greeting or create one that is appropriate to a job search. They frequently fail to coach their references on their job search goals or what points to make if theyâ€re called. They do not provide their references with a current resume, and worst of all, some do not even notify the individual they are being used as a reference.  ~ Dawn Bugni, The Write Solution

Clarity about search, identifying a unique value proposition and researching

Once you have a strategy, itâ€s crucial to have clarity and to understand your unique value proposition. Donâ€t forget that researching your target organizations will help you stand out from a crowd.

Job seekers often lack a clear statement of value and the stories that can illustrate (and back up) what they can do. ~ Walter Akana, Threshold Consulting

Many job seekers fail to market themselves — they must know their own strengths, weaknesses, skills, and unique selling points. No one is going to land a job for you! ~ Heather Huhman, Come Recommended 

Job seekers should consider conducting a people search, rather than a job search. By identifying target companies, and influencers within those companies, and then aiming to get meetings with them before a job opens, they will position themselves as the “known candidate” and will be tapped for an opportunity FIRST when a position does open up. ~ Laura Labovich, Aspire! Empower!

Not knowing what the market rate is for the position you’re applying for. Do your salary guide research or you simply won’t be able to negotiate benefits to your benefit. ~ Jacob Share, JobMob

Job seekers try to be all things to all employers instead of identifying their niche strengths, finding a matching position, and targeting their materials for it. ~ Laura DeCarlo, Career Directors International

Get out and network:

We canâ€t overstate how important it is to network in order to find a job. Research shows referrals are the top source of hires; your network may be the difference between having a job or looking for one. Consider how you are growing and maintaining your network of colleagues, friends and supporters – and who you consider part of your network.

Job Seeker does not network inside of their professional communities.  ~ Walter Akana, Threshold Consulting

Jobs seekers fail to engage their friends, family and contacts quickly enough in their search. ~ Sital Ruparelia

Many job seekers forget that developing a network needs to begin a long time before they actually need it. ~ Dawn Rasmussen, Pathfinder Writing and Career Services

One of the most fun parts of compiling these suggestions from our colleagues was that we address so many of these topics in our eBook, You Need a Job, 5 Steps to Get One. It provides you with information that you need to know to get your job search going in the right direction. Our goal is to help you save time, effort, energy and money…Letâ€s face it, the best job hunt is one that is well executed and is as short as possible.

Update: the ebook is available. If you want to learn how to find a job, learn more here. Don’s miss special bonuses for people who are the first to buy our eBook.

Be sure to visit Hannah’s post for more tips from our friends and colleagues.

photo by Gnu2000

The post What mistakes do job seekers make? Part 1 appeared first on Keppie Careers.