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Scary Job Search Techniques

In the world of workforce development, we are aware that there are several misconceptions about job searching out there.  It turns out that tricks are not limited to Halloween. Some job seekers have decided to engage in strategies that will scare workforce development professionals.
 
Quantity vs. Quality: Despite the advice from job search experts, many job seekers feel that getting a job is a numbers game, like collecting candy on Halloween. Job Seekers are applying for everything and anything regardless of their qualifications and or the position criteria. Since job seeking is simply as easy as clicking a button on a website, this scary numbers game is rampant. 
 
Wrong Costume: Repeatedly, so many job seekers are not dressing appropriately for job interviews. The job may be a laboring or food service, but the interview is not. Therefore, job seekers need to understand that they need to look professional. Clean and neat clothing without any distractible accessories is first. A suit many not always be necessary, but showing up too casual or unkempt will not seal the deal.  The wrong costume goes for make-up also. Over doing the make- up will only make a job seeker look like a clown.
 
Ghosting the Network: The idea of networking is hitting home, but so many people don’t understand how to do it well.  Many job seekers meet people, but never follow up except for a social media request. To be in a person’s network, it is important to keep in touch with the network and be a resource for them. A job seeker should not pop-up like a ghost from the past and then ask for a job referral.
 
Wandering in the Woods:  Job seekers fail to plan and have a strategy for achieving their intended outcome.  Like teenagers in a horror movie, a job seeker that fails to plan can end up finding many scary things. Job seekers may not find the leads to open positions, obtain the salary they want, or worse, end up without any job at all.
 
Zombie Attack: Job seekers of all ages are turning to social media for job leads, but many do not understand that an employer is also researching them on those same sites. The pictures from a fun party could come back from the dead and follow a job seeker. Pictures and language containing anything that might offend a hiring manager or show less than desirable character could prevent a job offer. This includes pictures and events that people are tagged in by others.  
 
Job searching can be just as scary as Halloween. The goal is not for job seekers to be so spooked by the process that they no longer participate. With our guidance, job seekers can find the treats in their job search.

~Karen Cirincione
kcirincione@gmail.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/karenjcirincione
Twitter: @kcirincione

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