I’m sure I’m not the first one to say it. Being unemployed stinks and so does working in a job you hate. Do you feel stuck? Has your job search led to dead ends? Having worked for years helping the unemployed and underemployed get back on their feet, I get how frustrating this is – and I’ve seen how a lot of folks self-sabotage.

In fact, if you’re looking to jump-start a job search, avoid these common job search mistakes.

  1. You don’t have a clear goal. Do you know how hard it is to hit a goal if you don’t have one? Impossible! My advice is to assign a rank to each of your career options. Which avenue represents your primary goal? How about your secondary one? Whether your career choice is simply the shortest route to employment or your lifelong dream, you must choose.
  2. You aren’t doing what you love. I’m a big believer in loving what you do. Happiness is a key ingredient to life! Even if you aren’t lucky enough to have a career you love like me, figure out what you do love and then strategically plan to achieve that goal in the future. Simply knowing that there is hope out there on the horizon will help you get up every day and work hard to get there.
  3. You aren’t passionate about yourself. I realize this sounds a bit weird, but this has to do with mojo. Who is going to hire someone unexcited about their own work history? Be proud of what you’ve achieved and let some of that shine through your resume.
  4. Your resume is a laundry list of keywords. I’ll tell you a secret….landing on the correct keywords is only half the battle. Your resume needs to also include accomplishments. You might have gotten through the initial ATS screening, but then fell flat on the other side. Don’t forget that there’s a person on the end actually reviewing everything that escapes the “black hole.” That person is the one you need to win over.
  5. Your elevator pitch is a snooze fest. We all know that many job opportunities happen when you least expect them. And let me tell you, the hidden job market is REAL. Just in case a job turns up when you aren’t looking, you need your elevator pitch dialed in. Practice it on your friends. A lot.

Five simple changes…most having to do with your attitude about yourself, the contributions you have made, and your self-worth. Channeling my inner drill sergeant (monologue by R. Lee Ermey), “I hate to hear ‘Less is more.’ It’s a crock of crap.”