Job-Search Fumbles That Will Cost You the Game

Job-Search Fumbles That Will Cost You the GameJob-Search Fumbles That Will Cost You the GameDont get penalized for these errors this job-hunt season.Every Fall across the United States, avid sports fans organize their tailgate parties and incessantly check their Fantasy Football teams. Collegiate and professional athletes alike give it their all on the field, hoping to avoid a spotlight on ESPN SportsCenters Not Top 10. Playing football at this level requires hard work and dedication. Make one mistake and you could cost your team the game.The same can be said about the job hunt. Dont let a little mistake cost you a job offer. Learn from the football pros and avoid these job-search follies.Neglecting Your PlaybookLegendary football coach Paul Bear Bryant once said, Its not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference. tweet this In football and the job search, preparation is the key to success. Before an bewerbungsinterview, do your homework. Review the employers website and social media accounts and read that industrys latest news articles to get a sense of the companys culture and business. If you know someone who works at the company, set up an informational interview to get insider tips for the interview process. Prepare your elevator pitch based on the job description and practice your interview responses for the questions that make you most nervous. Its much easier to be confident in an interview when youre properly prepared.Throwing Hail MarysA Hail Mary is a football play made in desperation with a low probability for success, usually toward the end of a half when a team is out of range to score. Dont succumb to similar last-ditch efforts in the job search, such as applying to jobs youre unqualified for, disregarding social media etiquette and sending inappropriate messages to hiring managers, or mass emailing recruiters with a template message. These activities have a very small chance of success and are likely to damage y our personal brand in the process. If your anxiety levels are hitting an all-time high, take a step back and re-evaluate your job-search strategy instead of resorting to Hail Marys.Fumbling an OpportunityNothings worse than missing out on a great opportunity, whether youre on the football field or in the job hunt. You only get one chance to make a first impression, so dont drop the ball when youre networking and interviewing. Approach each opportunity with a confident and positive attitude, adjust your elevator pitch to suit the situation and audience, and make aya you follow up afterward. Connect with new contacts online and look for opportunities to pay it forward before asking for any favors. After an interview, send personalized thank-you notes to each person with whom you met.Being a Johnny ManzielIf youre a fan of college football, youve probably heard of Texas AM quarterback Johnny Football Manziel. While Mr. Manziel is a very talented athlete, his antics on and off the field are damaging his personal brand and could hurt his NFL draft position. If youre searching for a job, pay close attention to your personal brand. Dont bash your colleagues or employer online or during the interview process. Clean up your online presence and secure your personal social media accounts so recruiters wont find them. Make sure the candidate employers find online matches the person they meet in person and on paper.Click on the following link for mora information on setting the right job-search strategy.