Ansa John

Competition raging in many sectors of employment in Nigeria labour market requires candidates to perfectly master the complicated rules of the game of recruiting. What are the most common mistakes? Below are some mistakes job seekers make and useful tips.

Lack of preparation

Be careful not to confuse speed with haste. Some candidates tend to think about being the first to send their application, even if you rush. It is wrong – better to take 24 or 48 hours to review your application (CV and Cover letter). Finding a job is difficult but you have to keep a cool head and be strategic. Candidates spoil their chances by sending a CV or a too generic cover letter, without a job related experience to target the position applied for.

How to fix this problem:  Bearing in mind that those who submit their application faster are not necessarily the first to be considered and it is important to prepare your documents to the type that is appealing in the eyes of recruiters.

The lack of targeting

Many candidates do not take time to think about what they want and what best matches their skills. They respond to all offers without any sort, sometimes apply several times to the same employer. The effect is disastrous because the candidate gives the feeling that he doesn’t know what he wants or what he exactly seeks. It’s like in the case of people with urgent housing search, ready to accept anything and sometimes worse, because they have forgotten to take a minimum time to ask and to target their searches – housing size, budget, target area, etc. For a job search is the same, we must first make a short-list of preferred jobs.

Lines of job search too limited

Too many job seekers are confined to a single method of job search as they response to offers on job sites. But it is a pity to neglect your personal networking opportunities, unsolicited applications, or offers by recruitment agencies. In other words, expand your lines of job search and start looking for opportunities sometimes not advertised. The temptation to target only the most well-known major companies in your field of study is great but it is a mistake. Many SMEs, sometimes next to you, can offer good career prospects to those who contact them. It costs nothing to make a few phone calls to these companies.

Profile not professional enough

Don’t underestimate the power of the Internet. In the digital age, almost all recruiters will check the candidate profile on the web, via Google. If they see a Facebook account with compromising photos, it’s playoff. On the other hand, an active presence on professional networks or a regularly updated blog can make you earn points. For a professional profile, also station to treat the details: simple contact info, no joke in email address (like: Luvme4real@gmail.com), etc.

Isolate yourself and lose confidence

A final problem is how to approach the job search. It’s a stressful time in a career but do not feel ostracized or abandoned. There are many organizations and experts to help you – Jarus of Jarushub is one of them. Jarushub – Career Mentorship for example, will help you in your CV writing or review. Career coaches can also give you confidence and give you a foot in the door. The danger is isolation. If the job search continues, try to stay active and socialize. Why not take the time to invest in the voluntary work? An approach which can then be valued by recruiters when an opportunity arises.

Recommended reading: You’re Not Getting The Job – 25 Reasons Why

Download FREE: Job Winning CVs and Cover Letters You Can Use

Ansa, founder of Ansa Careers, is a prolific writer with 5 years of experience bringing job seekers to their dream jobs through highly relevant and latest career resources, career guides, articles and materials with valuable career information and employment search tools.

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