How to survive job search blunders provide 5 tips to help you walk safely through landmines, that paved the path to successful employment. The fact is we all make mistakes. But one of the worst times to do so is when you are applying for a job. Therefore, it is very important that you are on your very best behavior. Essentially because if any doubts come up during this time, your prospective employer is likely to rethink hiring you.
Therefore, how to survive job search blunders include showing up late to a job interview. This kind of blunder will seriously hamper your chances of receiving a job offer. So is there a way to recover from such a mistake?
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, there are some blunders you simply cannot recover from. For instance, you mistakenly submit a résumé and a cover letter addressed to the wrong employer. That being said, other errors do not necessarily mean the end of the road for you.
This article ‘How To Survive Job Search Blunders’ detail common mistakes job seekers make and the survival tactics:
You Arrive Too Late
If there is one rule of interviewing it is to never arrive late. Unfortunately, despite leaving your house with plenty of time to spare, you get stuck in traffic. And watch with horror as your meeting time creeps closer. The clue here is not to wait until the last minute. If you expect to be late, call the human resource manager to explain your delay.
Then, also provide an estimate as to when you will arrive. In most cases, the human resource person will understand the circumstances and be able to postpone or reschedule the interview. If you don’t do this, chances are that the human resource manager will question your professionalism and desire to land this job. That is if you keep him or her waiting without an update from you.
You Arrive Too Early
You may think it is a good idea to be early and wait to be called. You assume that the waiting time will help you recover and relax. The truth is that while some human resources managers may not mind. On the other hand, it may create a poor first impression for most. So, if you are camped out in the reception area half an hour before your meeting, the human resource manager may not appreciate the pressure to see you earlier than expected.
So unless there is the preparation of a waiting room to receive you, it is better to wait in your car or outside the building. That is if you arrive more than 15 minutes before an interview and use the time to prepare. Thereafter, head to the restroom to check your appearance one last time. Most of all, make the effort to be in the company’s reception about five minutes early.
You Messed Up An Interview Question
If you stumble when answering a question posed by the human resource manager, do not panic. You may also find yourself rambling or grasping for words. Stop to think more about your answer. The interviewer will understand if you need some time to make a response. But, if you bombed a question earlier in the meeting, and now have a better response later. Again do not panic. Ask the human resource manager if you can revisit the question. This will show your ability to demonstrate fast thinking and get the opportunity to get your message across.
You Press the ‘Send’ Button Mistakenly
One great example to drive this mistake home is a human resource manager, Mr. Gordon, who worked for a financial institution. Mr. Gordon recalled a candidate who was in the running for a job. At least this was until the applicant sent the following e-mail meant for another prospective employer, Mrs. Evelyn Jacobs, to Mr. Gordon. The email states:
Dear Mrs. Evelyn Jacobs, I believe the position advertised is going to be a great fit for my background and experience, and I look forward to the possibility of working with you.
Mr. Gordon laughed too much at the mistake to take the applicant seriously.
However, hope is not lost. There is a way to make a comeback from this type of error. You as the job seeker can send a second e-mail apologizing for the mistake. In addition to that second e-mail, you may also reference a number of personal details about the human resources manager from the previous conversation. Therefore, given the follow-up and personal touch, you can be lucky the mistake will be overlooked
So, your best approach when it comes to a technology gaffe? Try to avoid pretending it never happened. Instead, diplomatically address the situation. Even if you do not ultimately get the job, you will showcase your personality and ability to recover from a mistake.
You Shortchanged Yourself
Another important mistake is when a hiring manager requests your salary requirements. But you later found out that you asked for too little compensation. What you need to do is, to be honest, and act quickly. Tell the hiring manager that you have done additional research and feel the figure you quoted falls below market trends.
Also, be sure to reference any supporting documentation. Such as salary surveys, that will help you make a case for higher starting pay. Employers are often willing to renegotiate salary before an offer is accepted. Particularly, if an error like this is made because they want new employees to feel valued from day one. However, in the future, you should always do your compensation research before you begin the interview process.
Summary
The good news is that a blunder during the job search can create an opportunity for you to demonstrate skills, such as diplomacy, professionalism, and tact. These are traits not always evident during the recruitment process.
Frequently, it is how you handle a mistake that offers hiring managers valuable insight into your character. As well as how you would have behaved in a similar situation if you were hired.
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2017/01/05/ten-mistakes-90-of-job-seekers-make/
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