Are you sabotaging your job search without even realising? Often, it’s the smaller, seemingly insignificant things that could damage your chances of landing a dream job. Find out the most common ways in which you can be sabotaging your job search, without even realising. For more careers advice visit our blog, Viewpoint: www.haysplc.com/viewpoint

1. Are you sabotaging your job search
without even realising? Often, it’s the
smaller, seemingly insignificant things
that could damage your chances of
landing a dream job.
Find out the most common ways in
which you can be sabotaging your job
search, without even realising.
10 LESS OBVIOUS REASONS
WHY YOU DIDN’T GET THE JOB
haysplc.com/viewpoint

2. Remember, the interviewer will have
done their online and offline
research and will quickly be able to
spot any inconsistencies in your
work history, duties or employers.
Having inconsistent online profiles
and offline CVs is a common
mistake. To avoid this, succinctly
describe all aspects of previous
roles in your online profile and then
expand on those relevant to the job
when updating your CV.
1. YOUR ONLINE PROFILES
AND OFFLINE CV MISMATCH

3. If you have been in your current role
for a while, you may have got
comfortable and unintentionally
neglected your professional
development.
If you aren’t familiar with the latest
version of Outlook or CRM, your CV
may come across as out of date to
potential employers. It’s equally
important that your skills develop and
advance in your existing role so that
you do not come across as lacking
motivation.
2. YOU HAVEN’T KEPT
YOUR SKILLS FRESH

4. Job interviews can be nerve-
wracking. However, coming to the
interview flustered and visibly
anxious will affect how confidently
you deliver your answers.
Prepare before your interview in
order to reduce your anxiety.
Research the organisation, know
your unique selling points, anticipate
likely questions and prepare
examples that highlight relevant
skills.
Read more interview tips here.
3. YOUR NERVES HAVE GOT
THE BETTER OF YOU
DURING THE INTERVIEW

5. As soon as you’re sat in reception,
turn your phone off, put it in your
bag and leave it there. You don’t
want to risk it going off during the
interview.
It also looks aloof if you’re on your
phone whilst waiting for the
interviewer. It’s time to step into a
professional, phone free-interview
zone.
4. YOU HAVEN’T TURNED
YOUR PHONE OFF AND PUT
IT AWAY BEFORE YOUR
INTERVIEW

6. Recruiters and hiring managers
don’t want to read or hear about
what you think of yourself. Anyone
can claim to be ‘self motivated’ or a
‘team player’. Recruiters wants to
read about your results– they want
facts, figures stats – hard evidence.
Add numbers to your CV and use
examples in an interview to
demonstrate how your skills have
added value to your employers.
Read more CV tips here.
5. YOU HAVE INSUBSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE ON YOUR CV

7. Hiring managers will often ask you
to describe your greatest
weaknesses in order to find out if
you are willing to review your own
skills and take action.
If you respond by saying that you
don’t have any weaknesses, you will
come across as arrogant or
dishonest. Instead, share a real
weakness and then explain how you
overcame it.
Read more interview tips here.
6. YOU AREN’T HONEST
ABOUT YOUR WEAKNESSES
DURING YOUR INTERVIEW

8. All jobs now have a digital element
so make sure you mention your
digital skills in your CV and in an
interview. Digital literacy is needed
at all levels in most job functions.
Whether it’s creating an app rather
than a PowerPoint presentation,
generating leads on social media or
producing digital content, mention
how you are digitally proficient.
7. YOU ARE COMING ACROSS
AS A DIGITAL DINOSAUR

9. Sending a link to a YouTube video
explaining why you are the best
candidate won’t help you stand out
in a good way. Unless the recruiter
has specifically asked for a video in
place of a CV, you will end up
looking slightly defiant.
A CV is the best way to apply for a
role because it contains the
information needed to determine if
your skills and experience make you
suitable to progress to the next
stage.
Read more CV tips here.
8. YOU HAVEN’T SUBMITTED
A CV

10. Hiring managers do look at your
social media profiles, so make sure
all images, including on sites such
as LinkedIn, are professional.
This advice on how to optimise your
LinkedIn profile will help you.
Here’s how to use social media in
your job search.
9. THE PHOTOS ON YOUR
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
ARE INAPPROPRIATE

11. A lot of job seekers let themselves
down by using acronyms such as
‘bgd’ (background), ‘cre8’ (create)
and ‘b4’ (before) in communications
with their recruiter, on their
professional social media or even on
their CV. Keep your language
professional.
Updating your CV? This advice will
help you ensure it is error-free.
10. YOU ARE CUTTING
CORNERS WITH YOUR
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

12. These self-sabotaging behaviours
are not embedded and
unchangeable. Being self-aware,
open to feedback and constantly
willing to improve will set you apart
from other job seekers.
If you found this advice useful, you
may also enjoy these Viewpoint
blogs:
• Four steps to an error-free CV
• 14 things to do before your job
interview
• How to make a great impression
on your first day
GOOD LUCK!

13. ABOUT HAYS
Hays is a leading global
professional recruiting group, the
expert at recruiting qualified,
professional and skilled people
worldwide.
With over 9,214 staff operating from
252 offices in 33 countries across
20 specialism's, last year we placed
around 67,000 candidates into
permanent jobs, and around
220,000 people into temporary
assignments.
haysplc.com