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Are You Making the #1 Job Search Mistake?

This article discusses the #1 mistake job hunters make.

Did you know that only one job in ten is actually ever advertised? I would also venture to say that only about 10% of those advertised jobs are even a good prospect. That means your odds for success are about 1% if that's the only job search strategy you use.

If you do a quick scan of the Sunday newspaper you'll find those entry-level jobs, high-turnover positions, straight-commission sales, multi-level marketing scams and occasionally a good job or two, for which 100% of the competition is hiring. But most job hunters comb the Sunday paper in hopes of finding their dream position. There are much better ways to get interviews for the right job.

Don't feel bad if this has been your strategy. Most of us have made mistakes in the job search process. The world has changed and the job search strategies that worked for us in the past just may be a waste of time. Some of you are probably thinking you've got this problem beat because you're now scanning the Internet job boards. Isn't technology great? You can enter your resume once, and with the click of the mouse, you can send it to a limitless number of employers. How has that been working for you? I recently read a study that indicated success rates for Careerbuilder.com at 1.5% and Monster.com at a monstrous 3.6%!

I'm not saying you shouldn't scan the ads. I just think the majority of your valuable job search time is better spent using more productive strategies. Hint: As many as 70% of all jobs are found through personal referrals.

About the Author

Christy Donner, owner of Innovative Strategies Coaching, specializes in coaching people in life and career transitions. She is a graduate of Coach U and Career Coach Institute, and holds the designations of Associate Certified Career Coach from CCI and Certified Professional Resume Writer from PARW/CC.

Written by: Christy Donner