Episode 34

July 22, 2021

by Melanie Reed

As an HR educator I am often approached by new graduates or soon to graduate students for advice. And one of the most frequent questions I get asked is, "can you tell me what I am doing wrong with my job search?" This usually comes after they tell me that they have been applying on HR jobs for months, they have tried literally everything and they are getting nowhere. And worse, they are now feeling depressed, frustrated and overwhelmed and they are doubting whether or not they have chosen the right career path.

Sound familiar?

If it does, then this episode is for you.

In this episode I share 6 common mistakes that HR Job Seekers make, especially when they are just starting out. Speaking from personal experience and countless conversations with HR grads, I know that you are putting in the effort, but I also know that all that effort focused on the wrong actions will only lead to more frustration rather than what you really want, you first HR job!

Here are the six common mistakes HR job seekers make:

Spend too much time on your resume at the beginning
No target or focus to your job search
You don't focus on your mindset or self-care
You don't prepare for interviews
No follow-up after a connection is made or you are interviewed
You don't leverage the help of others

Here is a summary of this episode:

[04:10] - I introduce the six most common job search mistakes I see HR job seekers making.
[04:56] - Spending too much time on your resume is the first mistake job seekers make. Your resume and cover letter are important, but spending too much time at the beginning of the process robs you of precious time and energy to focus on finding the right opportunity and making connections. Your resume should be tailored to individual jobs you are applying for and should highlight the value you bring to the employer. And remember this advice, the resume gets you the interview and the interview gets you the job.
[07:54] - The second common mistake is a lack of focus or target role for your HR job search. There is a lot of variety in an HR career, which is great, but it is also a stumbling block for many HR job seekers. It takes a lot of energy to pursue a role and focusing your communication and resume so use your time and effort on roles that are a great fit for you. It will make it much easier to sell yourself in the selection process and you will likely end up loving your job! Your best opportunity is to spend some time figuring out which types of HR roles you would be best suited for and aligned with your passion and values.
[12:41] - The third common mistake is not spending time working on your mindset or self-care. Graduating and finding an HR role is stressful and taking care of yourself is really important to managing this stressful time in your life. I also suggest you check out Episode 2 and Episode 6 to help you shift your limiting beliefs and manage the rejection associated with a career job search.
[15:35] - Congratulations, you received an invitation for an interview! This is great news, but being prepared for the interview is so important. To ace this process, the first thing you need to do is make sure you know the organization. You can get a lot of support for your preparation in Episode 5 of this podcast. I even have a helpful worksheet to guide you.
[18:43] - The fifth and final mistake many HR job seekers make is not following up after an interview or a connection. Showing appreciation for people's time is always appreciated! What you do say when you follow-up matters. You want to be positive and enthusiastic, but most importantly just do it! This was a game-changer for me during my first HR job search.
[23:23] - The final mistake HR job seekers make is not leveraging the help of other people. You can get feedback and support from your University or College career office. Your friends who have already landed HR jobs can also offer you some great insight. I also recommend spending a lot of time and effort on building your HR network.

Special Offer!

If you are looking for your first HR role and you would like some help with the process you may want to check out my brand new HR Career Accelerator program. It is a rare opportunity to attend a LIVE Virtual Workshop with me with a ton of support to help you find that first HR role.

You can learn more and register as well as receive a complimentary three-part video lesson called 4 Essential Strategies for an HR Job Search using this link.

https://unicorngroup.kartra.com/page/hrcaform

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