4 Job Searching Mistakes That Are Keeping You Stuck
There’s no need to sugar coat it. Job hunting can be really hard. But if you want a fulfilling career, you’ve gotta job search every once in a while. So, let's simplify it! If you can confront these easy-fix, job searching mistakes, you'll be one step closer to landing your dream job.
Let’s be honest - have you ever spent hours in front of a computer with little to show for it? Maybe you’ve applied for 2 jobs in the past 2 hours.
Finding a new job can be time consuming, frustrating, and discouraging.
After helping thousands of people take their careers to the next level, I’ve identified 4 major mistakes that hold most job seekers back.
❌ Mistake 1: You’re only applying for positions that you’re 100% qualified for.
We tend to be our own biggest critics and downplay our qualifications when job searching. We doubt our skills and fixate on the one qualification requirement that we don’t quite have.
But, a job description is an employers wish list. If they could create a perfect candidate from thin air, those are the qualifications that they’d like to see. Now, obviously, there is no such thing as perfect, so employers are simply looking for candidates that get close to those qualifications.
Further, there’s a lot that we don’t know when it comes to job application. You don’t know if the company is receiving 500 applications or 5. You don’t know if most applicants have 10 years of experience or are fresh out of college. If other applicants have zero, zilch, nada experience, then your 1 year of volunteer experience is going to look pretty damn good!
You don’t need to check off every bullet point in the job description. Instead of being your biggest critic, become your biggest hype-person!
❌ Mistake 2: You’re looking for a very specific job title and won’t explore other options.
It’s wonderful that you have a clear vision of what you’re looking for, but consider that it may be holding you back, especially if you are just getting started in the outdoor industry.
Accepting positions that are exciting, yet different than what you had envisioned, will make you a well-rounded, unique candidate!
There are so many awesome companies, organizations, and agencies to work for - keep your options open! Job searching feels impossible when you're waiting for a position to open at the one nature center in Rhode Island. Don’t limit yourself by having too narrow of a scope, especially early on in your career.
❌ Mistake 3: You have no idea what you want to do.
Similar to Goldilocks, you don’t want your career scope to be too narrow or too wide. You want to find that balance of “just right.”
Job searching can be extremely overwhelming when you give yourself too many options. Determining career clarity and your core values will help you find positions that align with you mission and goals.
For example, if you’re searching for environmental education positions across 30 states, you’ll have more options than you can realistically apply for. Job searching can easily transition from exciting to stressful when you have 100 job descriptions to sift through.
Narrow down what you’re looking for before you start job searching so that you can spend time applying for the roles that you’re most excited for.
❌ Mistake 4: You aren’t staying consistent.
Raise your hand if you can relate…One week you apply, apply, apply, but then don’t open your computer for the next month. (I’m picturing a lot of hands in the air right now — mine included!)
If you’re serious about landing a new job, you need to pace yourself and stay on the hunt week after week, month after month. Indeed.com found that it takes job seekers, on average, 9 weeks to find a new job. So, don’t give up after one week of job searching. Creating a fulfilling career is a marathon, not a sprint! This is especially important in the outdoor and environmental industries as job listings vary by season.
Start by scheduling a job search date with yourself 1-2x weekly. Set aside the time on your calendar just like you would any other appointment, meeting, or date! This is your commitment to consistency and finding a job that you love.
Future YOU will thank you. To get started on the right foot, sign up for the Career Outdoors weekly newsletter. Each week, we’ll send job opportunities and career advice straight to your inbox (and take the “search” out of job searching)!
Check out The Top Outdoor and Environmental Job Boards for even more resources.
