One of the biggest mistakes you can make on an interview is to tell prospective employers that you can do anything they need you to do. No matter how able and willing you are, if you make a pledge like that you’re bound to fall short. The employer knows that and won’t hire you. Instead, ask the interviewer to describe the greatest challenges facing the department in which you want to work, then describe what you do best, what you’ve been recognized for, and how that ability has benefited companies you’ve worked for in the past. If their needs and your talents match, you’ve got a good shot at the right job.
One of the biggest mistakes that parents can make with their job- seeking children is to tell them that they can do anything they set their minds to do. That’s an overblown estimation that won’t serve them well. If these young adults are willing to listen, they can benefit from the practical advice their parents can give. Parents: describe what you’ve seem them do best; describe times they’ve approached challenging situations in productive and effective ways. Describe which attributes are marketable and important to employers, and which behaviors are turn-offs, and why. Over-the-top compliments may feel good to the giver but don’t do much for a receiver who needs something instructive and tangible to hold onto.
One of the biggest mistakes employers make when interviewing prospective employees is to sugar-coat the challenging situations their would-be employees are going to encounter. Applicants need to know what they’re going to face so they can make informed decisions about their employment. Therefore, tell job seekers the truth. Describe the situation objectively. Ask applicants how they would solve the problem. Ask for examples of their having been involved in similar situations, the actions they took, and the outcomes that followed.
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make when writing resumes is to over-inflate them… stuffing them with everything imaginable, hoping that someone needs something they’ve done. The result: the resume reader doesn’t know what the applicant can do best and wants most to do. Rather than attempt to be all things to all people, job seekers should stick to one theme and one pursuit. Design a resume that builds a case based upon proven experience and success.
(Tip: Keep your references in the loop, letting them know which jobs you’re targeting. Be sure they know you well enough to provide workplace examples of you at your best. If they can’t, you need different references.)
One of the biggest mistakes a job hunter can make when networking is to ask contacts for a job or to suggest that it’s their job to find you a job. Nothing stops a network faster than intimating “what have you done for me lately?” Instead, state what you’re looking for and request brainstorming time for ideas and recommendations of the right people to talk to and places to look.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when negotiating is to say more, when less will do. For example, you’ve been made an offer that’s lower than you can afford to accept. Say something like, “Mr. Jones, I appreciate your offer. I want to work for you and your company. I can do the job and can contribute to your bottom line. I am concerned with the salary offer. It’s less than I would have expected given my experience and the span of responsibilities the position requires.” Then…be quiet. You’ve put the ball in Mr. Jones’ court. Let’s see what he does with it.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when leaving a job is to badmouth the company, your boss, or your co-workers. Like it or them or not, they will always be part of your professional history and fair game for reference checkers. So, even if the experience has been a bad one and you’re glad that it’s behind you, swallow hard, thank them for the opportunity, wish them well, and move on. Trash them when you leave and sooner or later, you’ll be the one to pay the price.
