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5 Mistakes that People Make When Looking for a New Job

Looking for a new job can be both stressful and exciting. Although it can be a time of opportunity, you may also face heartbreak and rejection if you are unable to secure the jobs that you want. Thousands of people hunt for a new job every year, but only a few people end up with the job that they have always dreamed of.

If you want to land an amazing new job, then you will need to make sure that you don't make any big mistakes. These errors are often made by jobseekers, without them even realising that they are making a mistake. Here are a few of the biggest blunders made by people who are trying to get a new job.

Reading a job advert properly is exceedingly important when you are looking for a new job. Many jobseekers find themselves skim reading through hundreds of adverts and then firing off applications to those that look "about right". Other people will get so excited about finding a job that sounds good, that they will not even manage to make it to the end of the advert. Always read to the end of the advert and contact the employer directly if you have any questions about the role. In fact, most potential employers look favourably on candidates who ask questions before applying.

Reading the advert and asking questions will help you to make your application and can prevent you from wasting your time and the time of the recruiter.

If you are applying for a lot of different jobs it can be tempting to just print off your CV and send it out to companies in the post, but this won't get you noticed. You should tailor your CV to every single job that you apply for, so that each employer can see that you are right for their job. Putting your previous job titles, previous employers and dates of employment does not tell your potential employer anything about the skills that you developed whilst in that role.

Although you should keep your CV short and sweet, try to include a few sentences about the skills and experiences that you gained in each role. Subtly relate these skills and experiences back to the role that you are applying for.

Thousands of British people lose out on new jobs every year because they have not done any proper research on the role that they are applying for or the company that they are hoping to work with. Doing your homework about a company will help you to identify whether you are the right fit for a company, and whether the company is right for you.

Research the company before you make your application, rather than before you go to the interview. Understanding the company ethos can help you to create the perfect job application. Always keep a copy of the job adverts and job descriptions of roles that you apply for, so that you can refer back to them before the interview. These will help to refresh your memory and allow you to prepare properly for the interview.

Modesty and self-deprecation are very British traits that won't win you a new job. Being modest on your application can mean that you won't even get an interview. If you are modest in your interview, then there is a strong chance that the recruiter will give the job to someone who isn't shy about their own abilities. It is possible to convey your skills and abilities without "bragging", and people who are too modest are likely to lose out.

Studies have shown that women are more likely to be modest in interviews than men are. Understanding your true value as an employee can make it much easier to overcome problems that you have with being too modest.

Despite the fact that social media has played an important part in our lives for over a decade, most people seem to forget about their social media presence when they are applying for a new job.

Social media can give potential employers a unique window into your soul, which they may be unable to get from your job application alone. Using LinkedIn properly can help to showcase your achievements in a way that your CV might not be able to do. LinkedIn is particularly useful if you are applying for a more high profile role. Whilst LinkedIn can have a positive effect on your employment prospects, you should also be mindful of how your other social media accounts could have a negative effect. Keep your Twitter and Facebook accounts private so that potential employers cannot see them.