By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

EP 3017 Today’s show discusses common mistakes job hunters make, including assuming too much about a job during an interview, forgetting to thank interviewers, trusting recruiters too much, not networking effectively, and underestimating the importance of self-promotion. They also provide specific tips on how to avoid these pitfalls and succeed in your job search.

Hey everyone, and welcome back for another Deep Dive.

Yeah, welcome back!

Today we’re going to be tackling something I think a lot of us struggle with, and that is how to avoid job hunting mistakes.

Yeah, you know, we’ve all been there.

We have.

And, you know, luckily we have some great information from Caren Machin—she owns Advanced Career Solutions—and then also Jeff Altman…

Oh, yeah.

…he’s a career coach and a recruiter. And they’re sharing their insights and tips on what not to do when you’re on the job hunt.

It’s kind of like a secret weapon, right?

It is.

Getting this advice straight from the experts.

Absolutely.

The first mistake we’re going to be talking about is assuming too much, and this one really surprised me.

Okay.

Caren Machin suggests that you shouldn’t over-study the job description before an interview.

Really? I mean, that’s kind of counterintuitive, isn’t it?

It is. You would think you’d want to know…

Yeah, you would think you’d want to know all about the company and all about the job and everything, but there’s a reason for it.

And she says that when you focus too narrowly on the job description, you might miss what the hiring manager is really looking for.

Hmm. That makes sense.

So it’s not about ignoring the job description completely, but understanding that it’s just a starting point.

Right. Okay.

And it’s also more about understanding the hiring manager’s unstated needs.

Yeah, their motivations.

Yes!

I mean, think about it. Job descriptions are often generic, right?

They are. They are.

They’re just using kind of like a template, and it’s really you got to kind of read between the lines to see what is this hiring manager really looking for.

Yes, and I think you bring up a good point about the hiring manager, because it is a very personal thing, right? Like they’re hiring somebody to join their team, and it’s their needs that need to be met as well.

It is. Yeah.

Yeah. And you know, this reminds me of an interview I did where a candidate knew every single detail about our company, like they even knew like our board members.

Wow.

It was crazy, and it just came off as so arrogant. It was like they were just trying to show off all this knowledge and they didn’t connect with us at all.

Yeah, they were so focused on being prepared that they forgot to be personable.

Yeah! Exactly. And you know, it’s a reminder that like technical skills are important…

Mm-hmm.

…but so are those soft skills, right? Like personality, communication, and the ability to just connect with people.

Right. Absolutely.

So how do we avoid falling into that trap of being over-prepared but under-connected?

Well, Caren Machin suggests that you try to take control of the interview.

Really?

Yeah, early on.

How do you do that?

Well, instead of just passively answering all their questions, she says you should try to steer the conversation a little bit.

Uh-huh. Okay.

Ask some insightful questions and really try to figure out what is this hiring manager all about, what are their priorities.

So instead of like a robotic question-and-answer, you’re having more of a genuine conversation.

Yeah. Exactly. And you know, you can ask things like, “What are the challenges facing your team?” or “What are your goals for this position?”

That’s good.

Yeah. And Machin actually shares this story about a candidate who did this really well. They noticed a picture in the hiring manager’s office, and it was the hiring manager sailing.

Okay.

And instead of, you know, launching into their qualifications, they were like, “Oh, I love sailing too!” and that’s how they started the conversation.

So they took something personal that they observed and used that as a jumping-off point.

Yeah. Exactly. And it really helped them to establish rapport and like take control of that conversation in a more natural way.

Yeah. It’s so easy to get caught up in the nerves and forget that an interview is really just you connecting with another human.

Yeah. Absolutely.

And that’s really important.

It is.

And it kind of leads us into our next point about remembering the basics…

Mm. Yeah.

…like thank-you notes…

Oh, yeah.

…which seem to be like a dying art.

They are, but they shouldn’t be.

Right.

I mean, a simple thank-you note goes a long way.

It does.

It shows appreciation and it reinforces that you’re interested.

And Caren Machin has a rule of three that she suggests.

Okay, what’s that?

You send a thank-you card immediately after the interview.

Okay.

Then you follow up with an email within 48 hours.

Got it.

And then you make a phone call later that week.

Wow, that’s a good way to stay top-of-mind without being too much.

It is, for sure. But of course there’s a balance, right?

Okay.

Because Machin also shared a story about this candidate who went overboard…

Oh no.

…with a thank-you gift, and it was like golf-themed because they assumed that the hiring manager loved golf…

Oh…

…but it turns out they hated it.

Oh no, that’s so awkward.

I know.

I mean, personalized gestures are great, but you really have to do your research.

Yes. Yes, you do.

Make sure you know what you’re doing and you’re not just assuming.

Exactly.

Okay, so be thoughtful and genuine, and don’t try to be flashy.

Yeah.

Now let’s move on to a topic that could be a little bit sensitive.

Okay.

And that’s about trusting recruiters blindly.

Oh, yeah. This is a good one.

This comes from both Machin and Altman. They have decades of experience in recruiting, so they’ve seen it all.

They have. So how much should you actually tell a recruiter?

Right, because you want to be open and transparent…

Right.

…but you also want to kind of protect yourself.

Yeah, you don’t want to give away too much.

Yeah.

And Machin talks about the risk of being back-doored. Have you ever heard of that?

Back-doored? No. What is that?

So basically, it’s when a recruiter might use your information to go around you and present another candidate.

Okay. Really?

Yeah, and they often do this because they’re motivated by their commission.

So they’re not really looking out for you; they’re looking out for themselves.

Exactly.

Yeah. Wow.

Yeah, and Altman actually shared this story about how he lost a significant amount of money early in his career because he was too trusting.

Oh, really? Wow.

So it just goes to show you, you got to be savvy, you got to protect yourself.

So how do we strike that balance?

Well, I think you just have to be upfront with recruiters.

Okay.

Tell them, “Hey, I’m working with other agencies. I value my confidentiality.”

Right. Set some boundaries.

Yeah.

Be assertive about your needs.

Exactly, but keep it professional.

Yes.

You want to still have that good relationship with them.

Okay, so it’s a partnership, but you have to kind of protect yourself a little bit.

Exactly.

Okay. I think we have time for one more big mistake before we move on to part two.

All right. Hit me.

Let’s talk about that question that we all dread.

Which one?

“What is your weakness?”

Oh, yeah. Nobody likes that one.

No.

And both Machin and Altman have some good advice about how to handle it.

Okay, because like the typical canned responses just don’t work anymore.

No, like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too hard.” Like who—are you kidding?

Everyone sees right through that.

They do! So instead of trying to, you know, make a strength sound like a weakness, just be honest.

All right. Right. Oh, really?

Yeah, but frame it in a positive way.

Okay.

So, you know, tell them about an area where you’re genuinely trying to improve, but also, you know, highlight how that weakness could actually be a strength.

Uh-huh. So like a weakness-strength combo.

Yeah. Mmm.

And, you know, Machin gives a great example. She admitted that she’s too passionate…

Okay.

…sometimes talks too much and gets sidetracked, but she emphasized how her passion drives her to go above and beyond for her clients.

Oh, so she spun that into a positive.

She did.

She did. I see.

And you know, it shows self-awareness, honesty, and a willingness to learn.

Absolutely. And it also shows authenticity, right?

It does.

Because trying to be someone you’re not will always backfire.

Always. And you know, authenticity builds trust…

Yes.

…which is so important in any relationship, especially a professional one.

Okay, that’s a great place to stop. For now we’ve covered some big mistakes to avoid, but we’ll be back with more in part two.

We have.

Definitely join us.

Welcome back. So let’s just jump right into some more common job hunting mistakes that both Machin and Altman highlighted.

Okay, fire away.

So first up, we have inconsistent information.

Okay.

So that’s like when you tell different stories in different interviews, or your resume doesn’t match your LinkedIn profile…

Mm. Oh yeah, that’s a good point.

You got to make sure everything is consistent.

Right, you want to present like a unified front.

Exactly. And, you know, it makes you seem more reliable.

Yes, it does.

Okay, so next we have unpreparedness.

Okay.

This could mean showing up for an interview without researching the company or practicing your answers.

Oh yeah, that’s a big one.

It is, and it shows that you’re not really taking this seriously.

Right, you’re not invested.

Exactly. Okay, so next up: inappropriate dress.

Hmm.

This could mean being overdressed or underdressed.

Ah, that’s tricky.

It is. You got to do your research and figure out what the company culture is like.

So you need to kind of blend in.

Yeah, you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb.

Okay, good advice.

Now let’s talk about failing to ask questions.

Oh yeah, it’s so easy to just focus on answering their questions.

It is, but you should also be asking questions. It shows that you’re engaged and interested.

Right. Makes you look smarter.

It does. Okay, so moving on, we have last-minute cancellations…

Oh.

…like blowing off an interview or a call without any notice.

Yeah, that’s just rude.

It’s super unprofessional.

Right.

And then there’s ghosting, you know, just disappearing from the hiring process.

Oh yeah, that’s not good either.

It’s not. Then we have salary bait-and-switch…

Okay.

…which means inflating your salary expectations and then trying to renegotiate later.

Yeah, that’s not going to work.

No. Be upfront about your salary from the start.

Okay.

And similar to that is trying to change the job, like the location or the travel requirements, during the interview process.

Right. If you don’t like the job description, don’t apply.

Exactly. And finally, trying to renegotiate after you’ve already accepted an offer.

Oh, no, no.

It’s bad form.

Yeah, once you say yes, stick to it.

Exactly.

Okay, so we’ve talked about a lot of mistakes.

We have, but now let’s talk about something really important: networking.

Oh!

Altman had some really interesting insights on this.

Like what?

Well, he said that our networks are often much bigger than we think.

I think a lot of people feel like they don’t have a network.

Yeah, especially if they’re early in their career. But he pointed out that it’s not just who you know directly…

Mhm.

…it’s also who they know.

Oh, like a chain.

Yeah, it’s like a ripple effect.

Okay, I see.

And he actually used the LinkedIn model to explain this.

Oh, interesting.

It’s everyone you know and everyone that they know who you don’t.

Wow, that really expands your reach.

It does. And get this: he said that 70% of positions are filled through networking.

Really? That’s a lot.

It’s huge. And within that 70%, a whopping 70% of those positions are filled by people your network knows, but you don’t.

So it’s like this hidden job market.

It is, and it shows how important it is to tap into those second-level connections.

So how do we do that?

Well, Altman said you should start by reconnecting with people and just being social.

Okay.

Don’t even mention that you’re looking for a job at first.

Just like be genuine.

Yeah, build those relationships.

Right, because nobody likes to feel used.

Exactly. And then maybe on like the fourth call or so…

Uh-huh.

…you can casually mention that you’re exploring new opportunities.

Oh, that’s good.

Yeah, and see if they have any advice or connections.

So it’s more organic.

Exactly, it’s about building trust.

Right, it’s a two-way street.

It is.

You should also be helping other people.

Absolutely.

It’s like karma.

It is. What goes around comes around.

And you know, networking isn’t just about finding a job.

Right.

It’s about expanding your knowledge, meeting new people, and building relationships that can help you throughout your career.

So it’s like a long-term investment.

Exactly. And, you know, networking can happen anywhere.

Really?

Yeah, at a conference, a party, even the grocery store.

You never know who you’re going to meet.

Right. So be open to those chance encounters.

Good advice.

And if you’re introverted or shy…

Mhm.

…there are still ways to network that feel comfortable for you.

Okay.

You know, join some online groups, attend industry events, or even just reach out to people on LinkedIn.

So there are options for everyone.

There are. And as you build your network, stay organized.

Okay.

Keep track of your contacts. Maybe use a spreadsheet or an app.

Well, that’s a good tip.

It is. And remember, networking is an ongoing process.

So don’t just do it when you need something.

Exactly. Make it a habit.

Right.

And it’s about being a good friend, a valuable colleague, and a contributing member of your community.

Those are all great qualities.

They are, and they will help you in your job search and in life.

Hmm. Speaking of qualities that shine through, I know Altman also talked about personal branding.

Yes, he did! And that’s a perfect segue into our next topic. We’ll be talking about the importance of crafting a strong personal brand and how it can impact your job search success in part three of this Deep Dive.

Welcome back. All right, let’s dive into this idea of personal branding that Altman was talking about.

Okay, yeah, because he said it was crucial for success in job hunting, but I don’t really know what that means. Like what is personal branding?

Right. Okay, so think of it as like how you present yourself to the world.

Hmm.

It’s kind of like your reputation, but it’s also about like showcasing your unique skills and experience.

So it’s more than just having a good resume.

It is. It’s about the whole package. Like what makes you stand out from everyone else?

So what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at…

Exactly. It’s like telling a story about yourself.

But how do you actually do that? How do you build a personal brand?

Well, it starts with knowing yourself…

Okay.

…like what are your core values, what are you really good at, what are you passionate about.

Uh-huh. So figuring out what makes you special.

Yeah. And once you know that, you can start to express it…

Okay.

…through your resume, your LinkedIn profile, even your social media.

So it’s about being consistent with your message.

Exactly. And remember, your personal brand can change over time.

Right, as you learn new things and gain experience.

Exactly.

That makes sense.

Now, Altman also shared a story about a candidate who lied on his resume.

Oh, no.

Yeah, and he ended up getting fired.

Really?

Yeah, because he couldn’t actually do the job.

So honesty is really important.

It’s crucial. You know, it’s like trying to build a house on a bad foundation.

It’s going to crumble.

Eventually.

And it’s not just about what you say; it’s also how you act.

Yeah. Be respectful to everyone.

Even the receptionist.

Everyone. Treat people how you want to be treated.

Good advice.

And if you accept a job offer, don’t back out.

Right. Honor your commitments.

Exactly. Your reputation is everything.

People talk.

They do.

So be someone that people want to work with.

Exactly. You know, job hunting can be tough.

It can be.

But if you have the right mindset, and you’re willing to learn, and you never give up…

Uh-huh.

…you’ll find success.

Yeah. Okay, so be authentic, network, and be honest.

Exactly!

Those are great takeaways.

I hope this Deep Dive was helpful.

It was. Thanks for sharing all these insights.

Of course!

It’s amazing how much we learn from these videos.

I know, right?

And we hope you learned a lot, too.

Yes. Best of luck on your job search.

Thanks for joining us for another Deep Dive. We’ll see you next time.

What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member

ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER

People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS job search coaching and career advice globally because he makes job search and succeeding in your career easier. 

38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid

You will find great info and job search coaching to help with your job search at ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠ 

Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠ 

Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us. 

The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)

He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years.

We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.

Related