Are you one of the millions who lost employment during the recent COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you have probably reworked your resume and are anxiously searching internet boards. If it's been a while since you've job hunted, knowing what not to do when searching or applying for a job is as vital as running a spell check on your cover letter.
To avoid the biggest job-hunting and interview mistakes, you need to do your homework. It's a daunting task - but to make it less stressful, here are eight tips to help when you're job hunting during COVID-19:
Wearing the Wrong Thing
If you're interviewing for a plumber's position, you don't need to wear a three-piece suit. However, sporting inappropriate attire remains one of the biggest interview mistakes. Even if you hope to score a lifeguard position, you wouldn't show up in a swimsuit. Pass on anything low-cut or too revealing. You might need to lean forward or follow your interviewer on a brisk walk - pass on tight pencil skirts, stilettos and plunging necklines.
Falsifying Your Resume
Have you ever applied to a job that seemed ideal - only to arrive at the interview to discover they wanted an unpaid internship, or, worse, upfront investment to get hired? How did it make you feel? You probably felt cheated, and recruiters experience the same anger and frustration when you lie on your resume.
Coming Unprepared
Bad-Mouthing Former Employers
You have a captive audience - but that doesn't mean it's time to sound off about how you couldn't stand the micromanaging culture at your last position. Hold your tongue, please. When it comes to what not to do when applying for a job, this advice ranks near the top.
No matter how wretched your former workplace was, if your interviewer hears you complaining about them, they will wonder if you will similarly bad-mouth them to others. You can say, "There was a bit of a culture mismatch," but otherwise, stick to the facts. Look at the bright side - given the pandemic, they might not ask why you left your last job.
Neglecting Your Network
Exhibiting Unprofessional Behavior
Forgetting to Follow Up
Jumping at the First Opportunity
Finally, you might feel an enormous amount of desperation right now. However, your frantic behavior makes you less attractive to employers. It also could hinder your career trajectory. Remember the old saying, "Time is money"? If you take a low-paying, miserable position that you despise, it's a million times harder to muster the energy at the end of the workday to look for better opportunities.
Write a list of what you need in a position. Understand that you might need to be more flexible than usual on starting salary and benefits due to the downturn, but don't sell yourself short. It's okay to ask, "I realize that things are slow right now, and the initial pay rate is understandable in that context. However, what realistic expectations can I have for advancement when things recover?" If your interviewer beats around the bush, it's an indication that they need a body to fill a specific role, and they're not interested in your growth and potential.
Avoid the Biggest Job Hunting and Interview Mistakes
It's a competitive market, and you need to avoid the biggest job-hunting and interview mistakes. By knowing what not to do when job searching, you can increase your chances of success.
This guest post was authored by Alyssa Abel
Alyssa Abel is a college and career writer who offers advice on strategies to success. Read more of her work on her blog,
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
