Printout | Master Checklist Of Things NOT To Do On Your Job Search

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Printout | Master Checklist Of Things NOT To Do On Your Job Search

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📖Overview

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Stage 1: Evaluating Yourself

Don’t Ignore Your Weaknesses and Strengths

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Don’t Be Too Self-Critical

Stage 2: Establish Your Career Objectives

Don’t Set Unclear Career Goals

Don’t Panic if You Lack Relevant Experience

Don’t Neglect Work-Life Balance

Stage 3: Prepare Your Documents

Don’t Forget to Proofread Your Resume and Cover Letter

Don’t Ignore Your Online Presence

Don’t Use Passive Language

Stage 4: Prepare a List of Companies to Target

Don’t Limit Yourself to Just a Few Locations or Companies

Don’t Overlook the Company’s Values

Don’t Forget To Assess Fit

Stage 5: Apply for Jobs

Don’t Apply for Every Single Job

Optional: Networking

Don’t Forget the Importance of Your Network

Stage 6: Interview Prep

Don’t Procrastinate Researching the Company and Role

Don’t Ignore Your Industry

Don’t Practice Inside Your Head Only

Don’t Ignore Behavioral Questions in STAR Format

Stage 7: Right Before the Interview

Don’t Come Unprepared

Don’t Overlook Your Appearance

Don’t Stress Yourself Too Much

Stage 8: During the Interview

Don’t Use Too Many Technical Terms

Don’t Overshare Personal Opinions or Information

Don’t Bad-Mouth Previous Employers or Colleagues

Don’t Use Unprofessional Body Language

Don’t be Late for an Interview

Don’t Hesitate to Ask During and at the End

Stage 9: After the Interview

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Don’t Ignore Red Flags

Don’t Lose Your Confidence

Stage 10: Negotiation/Closing

Don’t Focus Solely on Salary

Don’t Burn Birdges

Stage 11: New/On-The-Job Training

Don’t Rush Through the Training

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

❓Stage 1: Evaluating Yourself

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Don’t Ignore Your Weaknesses and Strengths

Why Is This Important?

Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses is important to personal fulfillment and career success. Know your strengths to pursue opportunities that match them. Identify weaknesses to improve and develop. By assessing these areas, you can make informed decisions that lead to success.

Examples:

If you know you struggle with interpersonal skills, avoiding jobs requiring constant interaction with people is wise.

If sitting in front of a computer all day doesn't appeal to you, you must question why you're pursuing a career as a programmer.

Actionable Tasks:

Take the time to reflect and understand your three most significant strengths and weaknesses.

Evaluate your skills, talents, areas where you excel, and aspects that challenge or drain your motivation.

How do I know I passed this?

You have successfully listed your three most significant strengths and weaknesses. This exercise provides clarity and insight into your job search, empowering you to make informed decisions that help you find jobs you enjoy.

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Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Why is This Important?

Because comparison is the thief of joy. Embrace your uniqueness and define success on your terms.

Examples:

If you know that you’re not interested in pursuing a career in finance, even though your friend is raking in the big bucks, you should explore industries that better align with your interests and skills to save you from a career switch much later on in your career.

You’re not as experienced as other candidates who are applying for this job. Still, you highlight your unique experiences and strengths during the interview and the hiring manager sees long term growth within you.

Actionable Tasks:

Understand your own goals and what you’re working toward

Try to be happy for other people without feeling jealous.

How do I know I passed this?

You are able to identify job opportunities that align with your skills and interests rather than simply pursuing jobs because of comparisons or from others' opinions.

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Don’t Be Too Self-Critical

Why is This Important?

Being too hard on yourself during a job search can hurt your confidence and success. Doubting your abilities can make it harder to network and interview well. It can also cause stress and anxiety, which can damage your performance. Instead, focus on being positive and confident. This will help you showcase your skills and qualifications and succeed in your job search.

Examples:

Instead of learning from the experience and identifying areas for improvement, you solely focus on what went wrong. This prevents you from gaining valuable insights that could enhance your performance in future interviews.

Instead of using the interview experience constructively, being too self-critical might encourage you to seek feedback or take steps to address areas of improvement. It hampers your ability to grow and develop professionally.

Actionable Tasks:

Try to catch yourself when being negative and avoid doing it in the future.

Rather than dwell on mistakes or missed opportunities, shift your perspective to be future oriented and on lessons learned.

How do I know I passed this?

You catch yourself when being negative, and know how to walk yourself back in your negative talk

You recognize your achievements and strengths and are confident in them. Furthermore, your self-assessment becomes more constructive, and you have fewer self-defeating thoughts.

You approach obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning rather than allowing them to discourage or derail you.

🏆Stage 2: Establish Your Career Objectives

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Don’t Set Unclear Career Goals

Why is This Important?

Do you want to spend a few years doing something and then realize you don’t actually like it? Having direction in life is important. Setting clear career goals is challenging and thought-provoking, so we offer some insights into how to avoid setting unclear career goals.

Examples:

“I should get a job working with kids because I love kids” - While this personal interest may carry you through a few years into your career, what if you don’t like the initial schooling which is at least a few years? And what if you find out after a few years of practice you don’t actually like working with kids? A more non-unclear career goal allows for multiple exit options and offers more flexibility. It may sound like this: “I will get an elementary school diploma in 3 years, where I can then be employed in the education industry as a teacher, a school administrator, or a curriculum developer. I can then choose to specialize in early kindergarten or history if I ever want to go back to school”

Actionable Tasks:

Assess your career goals and map out the uncertainties surrounding it. You may ask yourself questions such as:

What are my exit opportunities if this doesn’t work out?

What is the average salary and will that satisfy my goals?

Will I enjoy the work long term? Will I get burned out or bored?

What does the daily work entail?

What are the industries associated with this kind of work? Which industries is the best one?

How do I know I passed this?

The point of this exercise is for you to start thinking about the uncertainties. Whatever you’ve reflected about, any amount of self reflection is good, and in the end you are confident in your plan to address these uncertainties.

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Don’t Panic if You Lack Relevant Experience

Why is This Important?

During applying. you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. And when you do get the interview, by staying calm and rewording your answer and frame, you can come out on top even if you don’t have the experience.

Example:

The job listed 6 years of experience, but you applied anyway, getting you an interview.

In one of your interviews, you were asked what relevant experience you have in the position you're applying for. By staying calm, you confidently answered that you do not have any relevant work experience. Instead, you enumerated the relevant skills you can offer to perform the job well.

Actionable Tasks:

Change your mindset of not applying for jobs that have more experience listed. You miss all the shots that you don’t take.

Consider the skills that are essential for your desired career or industry. Enroll in courses to gain more knowledge in skills you know you’re lacking, or you can prepare an explanation that instead highlights your other strengths and explain why you’re a good fit despite lacking experience.

How do I know I passed this?

You can stay calm when applying for jobs or during an interview when asked about your experience.

You can instead highlight relevant skills or strengths despite needing more experience when applying for jobs or during the interview.

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Don’t Neglect Work-Life Balance

Why is This Important?

Work-life balance is important for individuals as it promotes physical and mental well-being, improves productivity and creativity, fosters healthier work environments, attracts top talent, and contributes to social and economic benefits. By not neglecting work-life balance, you can lead a fulfilling life, maintain healthy relationships, and achieve greater satisfaction in both your personal and professional lives.

Examples:

You are contemplating a career change but want to maintain a work-life balance. When seeking a career change, dedicate time to explore job titles and industries through research, interviews, and networking. Balance this with personal time for reflection, relaxation, and joy. With this, you allow yourself the space and clarity to make informed decisions that align with your values and desired lifestyle.

Actionable Tasks:

Set aside some time for self-reflection and career exploration as it pertains to work-life balance. Consider the factors that can impact work-life balance, such as company culture, work hours, travel requirements, and remote work options.

How do I know I passed this?

After considering about work life balance, you feel confidence in the general direction you’re pursuing.

📄Stage 3: Prepare Your Documents

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Don’t Forget to Proofread Your Resume and Cover Letter

Why is This Important?

Even after creating a resume or cover letter, errors may still need to be corrected. It’s important to remember that even experienced editors can overlook their mistakes, so a formal proofreading process can be incredibly helpful in ensuring that your resume or cover letter is error-free.

Examples:

After creating my resume, I proofread it and found three typos and eight improvements I could edit from my first draft.

Actionable Tasks:

Thoroughly proofread your resume/cover letter to ensure it is free from grammatical, spelling, and formatting errors. Try to be inquisitive and not assume the draft is already the best. Try to slow down when reading and not skim over each piece.

Ask for help from others to proofread. They may be able to spot mistakes you may otherwise be blind to.

How do I know I passed this?

You have proofread your resume and engaged in some sort of inquisitive process such that you’re less blind to personal mistakes.

Bonus points: if you can have a few others also proofread your resume.

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Don't Ignore Your Online Presence

Why is This Important?

Potential employers frequently search for candidates online to learn more about their backgrounds and qualifications. Neglecting your online presence could result in missed opportunities or a poor impression. Reviewing and editing your online profiles, including removing any unprofessional content, can significantly increase your chances of making a favorable impression on potential employers.

Example:

A candidate has submitted a well-crafted resume and cover letter for a job application. However, during the employer’s online research, they come across the candidate’s public social media profiles. To their surprise, they find a series of unprofessional posts and comments that display a lack of judgment and maturity. These findings raise concerns about the candidate’s ability to present the company’s value and professionalism. Despite their qualifications on paper, the employer decided not to proceed with the candidate’s application due to the negative impression created by their unprofessional online presence.

Actionable Tasks:

Conduct an online audit. Search your name on search engines like Google to see what information is available about you online.

Optimize your professional profiles and/or portfolio.

Update your social media profiles.

How do I know I passed this?

Your profiles are well-curated, up-to-date, and align with the expectations of your desired industry or field.

Your online presence reflects professionalism and discretion, with no content that could be considered unprofessional, offensive, or damaging to your reputation.

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Don't Use Passive Language

Why is This Important?

Passive language is typically considered less direct and may obscure the doer of the action. On the other hand, active language (starting the sentence with a verb) empowers more and highlights your skills and results you attained.

Example:

Passive language example: “Responsibilities included managing a team of five and overseeing project timelines.”

On the other hand, an active language example: “Managed a team of five and effectively oversaw project timelines.”

In the passive language example, the emphasis is on the responsibilities as the main focus of the statement. It doesn’t explicitly highlight the candidate’s active role or achievements. In the active language example, the candidate takes ownership of their actions using strong verbs like “managed” and “oversaw.” This showcases their proactive approach and demonstrates their leadership skills and abilities.

Actionable Tasks:

Review your resume or cover letter and identify any instances of passive language.

Begin bullet points or statements in your resume with strong action verbs that accurately describe your skills, accomplishments, and responsibilities. For example, use verbs like “led,” “managed,” “implemented,” “achieved,” “developed,” etc.

Minimize passive constructions, such as “was done” or “were completed”.

How do I know I passed this?

Your resume uses active language and does not use passive language

🎯Stage 4: Prepare a List of Companies to Target

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Don't Limit Yourself to Just a Few Locations or Industries

Why is This Important?

To increase your chances of finding a satisfying career, it’s important to stay open-minded. Don’t limit yourself to particular industries or locations. Flexibility will help you adapt to changes and increase your chances of finding a fulfilling career path. Keep an open mindset and be willing to take on new challenges and opportunities, as this can help you grow in unexpected ways and ultimately lead to long-term satisfaction.

Examples:

Suppose you're passionate about technology and innovation but have been limited to job opportunities in your local area. In that case, it may be time to broaden your horizons by networking with professionals in the industry across different locations. This will take your career to new heights and open up exciting opportunities that previously out of reach.

Let’s say you have a background in marketing and are interested in the technology sector. Instead of restricting your search to tech companies in your immediate area, you decide to broaden your search. You research and identify companies in various locations and industries that offer marketing roles within the technology field.

Actionable Tasks:

Research and identify industries that align with your interest, skills, and career goals.

Explore different locations beyond your current city or region and consider national or international locations.

How do I know I passed this?

You’ve considered the idea of other industries

You’ve considered the idea of other locations

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Don’t Overlook the Company's Values

Why is This Important?

Companies have their own unique cultures, work environments, and sets of values. By aligning your values with the company's, you increase the likelihood of finding organizations that resonate with your beliefs and work style. This cultural fit leads to better job satisfaction and a higher chance of long-term success within the company.

Examples:

As a vegan, working for a fast-food chain that promotes meat consumption and unsustainable practices may conflict with your beliefs. This misalignment can lead to poor performance, low job satisfaction, and increased stress.

If you're a human rights advocate and find yourself at a company accused of unethical labor practices, it can be challenging to support their values. This misalignment may hinder your career growth and cause conflicts in the workplace.

Actionable Tasks:

Research the company's values and beliefs before applying them to ensure alignment.

Prepare thoughtful questions to use in the interview to assess the company's values and how they align with yours.

How do I know I passed this?

After researching or by asking, you feel excited that the companies’ values align with yours, creating a sense of compatibility.

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Don’t Forget to Assess Fit

Why is This Important?

Assessing fit with a company is important because it ensures compatibility between your values, work style, and culture, leading to higher job satisfaction, performance, and long-term commitment. A good fit fosters collaboration, teamwork, and personal growth while contributing to overall job satisfaction and well-being. By evaluating fit, you can find a company where you can thrive, make meaningful contributions, and enjoy a fulfilling career.

Examples:

Suppose you want to work in a company that promotes creativity and innovation. In that case, you may consider two job offers: one from a traditional corporate firm and another from a design-focused creative agency.

Actionable Tasks:

Reflect on your personal work preferences and work priorities. Do you deal well with deadlines? High expectations? How often do you want to get promoted?

Read job descriptions and reviews carefully to identify key aspects related to fit, such as company’s work environment, promotion opportunities, expectations, hours, vacations, stress, and deadlines.

How do I know I passed this?

If you feel excited and the thought of working for the company fills you with enthusiasm, it indicates a positive fit.

🔎Stage 5: Apply for Jobs

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Don’t Apply for Every Single Job

Why is This Important?

Applying for jobs can be a time-consuming process that requires significant effort. You can allocate your time and energy more effectively by targeting your applications to positions that genuinely interest you and align with your qualifications. Focusing on quality applications rather than quantity allows you to invest more effort into tailoring your materials and preparing for each application.

Examples:

I will carefully read up on the company or role first before applying, rather than applying for every single job I see.

Actionable Tasks:

Identify your search criteria and be selective in your search

How do I know I passed this?

Based on your criteria, you can look at a job or company and know why you won't be applying for it.

Your criteria becomes a routine and you can quickly run the routine to process your job leads faster

📱Optional: Networking

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Don’t Forget the Importance of Your Network

Why is This Important?

Your network is a valuable resource that can offer you various opportunities, but most of the time, networking is ignored because of the nature of networking. Rethinking your attitude for networking increases your chances of discovering job openings, collaborations, projects, and other opportunities that are hidden from just transactional applying.

Examples:

I feel scummy for sending these birthday emails, knowing that I just want a job from these people in the future.

I’ll actively try to befriend some people, even though I wouldn’t have connected with them if I wasn’t trying to network.

Actionable Tasks:

Develop a healthy attitude toward networking. It may not be what you like, but setting clear boundaries and goals will help you make this less of a chore process and more about socializing within the fences of your career.

Figure out your value proposition to others. If you don’t provide value, you will have a more challenging time networking.

How do I know I passed this?

You don’t actively avoid networking and have a healthy/balanced attitude toward it.

You know your value proposition, and you know when to give and when to demand something.

✏️Stage 6: Interview Prep

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Don’t Procrastinate Researching the Company and Role

Why is This Important?

Procrastination can limit the time to research the company, understand the job requirements, and practice interview questions. Leaving the interview preparation until the last minute can lead to heightened anxiety and a sense of being prepared. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the better the answers you can give.

Examples:

You are invited to interview with a prestigious company you've aspired to work for. You start by researching the company's history, culture, and recent projects. Then, you gain valuable insights into their values, achievements, and future goals. This early preparation allows you to tailor your responses to align with the company's values and demonstrate your suitability during the interview, which puts you ahead of other applicants.

Actionable Tasks:

Make a list of key areas to research, such as the company's background, products or services, industry trends, recent news, and the role you're applying for

How do I know I passed this?

You are able to allocate sufficient time to each task, allowing for thorough research and practice. Habitually, you don’t procrastinate until the day of the interview.

You have a strong understanding of the company and the role you're applying for.

You are comfortable and confident with your interview responses and delivery.

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Don’t Ignore Your Industry

Why is This Important?

To excel in your interview, having a thorough understanding of your industry is important. Demonstrating your knowledge and expertise showcases your qualifications and distinguishes you from other candidates. You can confidently speak about relevant topics and contribute valuable insights during interviews by staying informed about industry trends, advancements, and challenges. This level of industry awareness demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and positions you as a proactive candidate who’s entrenched in this industry.

Examples:

For instance, if you are pursuing a career in the fashion industry, you may be asked about the latest fashion trends. You confidently discuss topics demonstrating your knowledge and expertise. This can significantly increase your chances of success in an interview.

If you want a career in healthcare, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare industry. Stay informed about healthcare policies, regulations, and current issues. Be knowledgeable about medical technology, patient care practices, and healthcare systems.

Actionable Tasks:

Perform an in-depth industry analysis and take note of its key aspects, such as market trends, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and industry-specific challenges.

Create a list of potential interview questions that may be asked regarding your industries, and think about how to answer them.

How do I know I passed this?

You are able to provide specific and relevant examples from the industry to support your answers and demonstrate your understanding of industry knowledge during an interview.

By having industry knowledge, you gain an edge in your job search as well.

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Don’t Practice Inside Your Head Only

Why is This Important?

Practicing inside your head alone is insufficient when preparing for an interview. While it helps you organize your thoughts, practicing out loud and seeking external input is important. Speaking out loud improves verbal fluency, builds confidence, and allows you to refine your delivery and non-verbal communication. Seeking feedback from others helps identify areas of improvement and provides an external perspective.

Example:

Instead of practicing alone, you set up a mock interview session with a friend or colleague acting as the interviewer. You deliver your response and actively engage in conversation. Then, your friend or colleague provides constructive feedback on your delivery, body language, and persuasiveness. Through this process, you can identify areas for improvement.

Actionable Tasks:

Practice out loud with a recording device.

Seek feedback from others.

Stand in front of a mirror and practice answering interview questions while observing your facial expressions, body language, and overall demeanor.

How do I know I passed this?

You feel more confident and can express your answers coherently in a live rehearsal and not just in your head.

You find yourself stumbling less frequently, maintaining a steady pace, and speaking with clarity.

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Don’t Ignore Behavioral Questions in STAR Format

Why is This Important?

Behavioral questions are interview questions that seek to understand how candidates behaved in specific situations in the past because hiring managers would rather have you show them, instead of telling them.

Furthermore, the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method provides a structured framework for answering behavioral questions. Using the STAR template, you can methodically craft a response that addresses all critical elements of the story from the situation, all the way to the results and benefits of a past experience.

Examples:

The interviewer wanted to know how I dealt with stress in the past, since this is a high pressure job. I gave a real life example from my personal life where I had to overcome a great amount of personal stress, what I did to achieve it, the things I learned from it, and at the end related this experience to the job roles. The interviewer was impressed by my ability to handle stress.

Actionable Tasks:

Don’t just wing it. Study what the STAR format is.

Study common behavioral interview questions.

How do I know I passed this?

You understand the STAR format and know how to replicate this format in an answer.

You studied and had a good intuition of what the common behavioral questions are and how to answer them effectively.

👔Stage 7: Right Before the Interview

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Don’t Come Unprepared

Why is This Important?

Adequate preparation instills confidence and composure. When you are well-prepared, you feel more at ease during the interview, allowing you to focus on showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications. Conversely, coming unprepared can lead to nervousness, stumbling over answers, and an overall lack of confidence.

Examples:

Researching the company and industry before the interview allows you to gain a better understanding of their values, mission, and goals and helps you tailor your responses accordingly.

Practicing common interview questions and preparing responses in advance can help you feel more confident and prepared, reducing anxiety and stress during the interview.

Actionable Tasks:

Whether or not you choose to be lightly prepared or heavily prepared, create a checklist of preparation checklist items you must do before each important interview.

How do I know I passed this?

Some amount of preparation is necessary. For a guiding checklist, we are recommending you to have followed through on every item in your preparation checklist prior to at least 3 interviews.

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Don’t Overlook Your Appearance

Why is This Important?

While it’s true that your skills, qualifications, and experience are the most important factors in securing a job, your appearance can contribute to the initial perception and help create a positive first impression. Many people underestimate appearance, underestimating the negative malus it can have on their initial perception. If an interviewer doesn’t like you from the start, winning them over is challenging, as their decision might have already been made.

Examples:

Showing up with wrinkled clothes, unkempt hair, and an untidy appearance. Such a lack of attention to your appearance can immediately signal a lack of professionalism and preparation to the interviewers.

Lack of attention to your appearance can immediately signal a lack of professionalism and preparation to the interviewers. They may question your ability to handle the role's responsibilities or your commitment to the opportunity.

Actionable Tasks:

Change your mindset: Your appearance matters, and it’s important to make a solid first impression. If you don’t have this mindset, you won’t be able to make an effort toward your appearance.

How do I know I passed this?

You have a good mindset on grooming your appearance for upcoming interviews

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Don’t Stress Yourself Too Much

Why is This Important?

When you are not stressed and have a positive mindset, you can efficiently do many things better. Stress lowers your performance, so by eliminating stress, you can indirectly increase your performance during the interview!

Examples:

Imagine you are interviewing for a creative role such as a graphic designer or copywriter. To boost your confidence, repeat positive affirmations to yourself such as, “I possess the skills and ability to create excellent graphic design and write engaging copy.” This will help you maintain a calm and positive mindset before and during the interview.

Actionable Tasks:

Change your mindset about stress and don’t ignore it: recognize the need to destress, so that you can achieve better long term performance.

Strategies that you can use to overcome stress: relaxing music, quality sleep, positive self- affirmation.

How do I know I passed this?

You actively recognize when you’re stressed, know about its bad effects, and have strategies to overcome it.

You notice a sense of physical relaxation and mental clarity. Your muscles feel less tense, your breathing is calm and steady, and your body feels more at ease. Your mind is clearer, and you experience fewer racing thoughts or mental distractions.

💬Stage 8: During the Interview

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Don't Use Too Many Technical Terms

Why is This Important?

By using language that is accessible to all participants, you ensure that your ideas are understood easily. Moreover, people generally don’ like know-it-alls and nowadays have very low attention span, so using layman terms is always preferable in a conversation.

Example:

Instead of saying, “Utilized advance machine learning algorithms to optimize data analysis processes and enhance predictive modeling accuracy,” say, “I streamlined data analysis and improved predicting accuracy.” With this, the interviewer will easily understand what you’re trying to say, and you’ll likely have more time to explain other points.

Actionable Tasks:

Try to reflect on your sentences. Are they too wordy or contain too much technical jargon?

How do I know I passed this?

You’re mindful of needing to use simpler language and be more coherent in your speaking.

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Don't Overshare Personal Opinions or Information

Why is This Important?

Interviews are professional interactions where the focus should be on your qualifications, skills, and fit for the role. Oversharing personal opinions or information unrelated to the job can be seen as unprofessional and may create a negative impression.

Examples:

Sharing strong political opinions during interviews can create divisions and bias. Maintaining a neutral stance and focusing on job-related discussion is essential to foster a professional and inclusive environment. Unless you know for sure the interviewers’ political stances, doing this is often risky.

Revealing sensitive personal information, such as health conditions or family matters, can breach professional boundaries and potentially lead to biased judgments or discomfort for the interviewer and the candidate.

Actionable Tasks:

Reflect on your personal beliefs that may not be relevant to the job or could introduce biases into the interview process - topics such as politics, religion, personal relationships, or controversial issues.

Reflect on how often you interject these personal beliefs - and try to tone it down during an interview

How do I know I passed this?

The majority of the interview revolves around discussions about your skills, experiences, and how they align with the job requirements, and not any other topics that are considered controversial.

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Don't Bad-Mouth Previous Employers or Colleagues

Why is This Important?

Speaking negatively about previous employers or colleagues reflects poorly on your professionalism and may raise concerns about your ability to maintain a positive and respectful work environment. Employers prefer candidates who demonstrate professionalism and discretion in their communication. Sharing negative experiences or opinions about previous employers may raise doubts about your ability to handle confidential information or maintain trust within the team.

Examples:

Avoid blaming or speaking poorly about your previous colleagues. Instead, highlight your ability to work collaboratively and address conflicts constructively.

Instead of saying, “My previous company had terrible management that never listened to employee feedback,” you can say, “I’m seeking a new opportunity where I can contribute my ideas and collaborate with a supportive and open-minded team.”

Actionable Tasks:

Try to catch your negative thoughts about former employers when you do have them. Definitely do not bring it up during an interview

Practice speaking positively about a former employer. Focus instead on what you learned and the positive aspects of the job.

How do I know I passed this?

You’ve changed your mindset about speaking ill about former employers. Remember that no matter how bad your former employer was, it’s in your best interest to praise them positively and highlight on the experiences learned rather than talk bad about them.

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Don’t Use Unprofessional Body Language

Why is This Important?

Your body language is one of the things the interviewer notices about you. Unprofessional body language, such as slouching, crossing your arms, or avoiding eye contact, can create a negative first impression. Body language communicates a lot about your attitude, interest, and personality.

Examples:

Slumping or fidgeting may convey disinterest or lack of enthusiasm while maintaining an upright posture, making eye contact, and nodding in agreement demonstrates attentiveness and active participation.

Crossing your arms during an interview can create a barrier between you and the interviewer, giving off a defensive or closed-off vibe. Instead, keep your arms relaxed and open, signaling a more approachable and receptive demeanor.

Actionable Tasks:

Stand in front of the mirror and simulate an interview scenario. Pay close attention to your body language, including posture, making eye contact with your reflection, and using appropriate facial expressions to convey confidence and engagement.

Use a smartphone or camera to record a mock interview session. Play back the recording and observe your body language.

How do I know I passed this?

It can be a little awkward to analyze your own body language. However, this is a really important aspect that you shouldn’t overlook. At least some attention to your body language can really make a big difference as it eliminates bad malus you may receive from poor body language.

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Don't be Late for an Interview

Why is This Important?

Being punctual and avoiding lateness during an interview is essential because it demonstrates professionalism, creates a positive first impression, reduces stress, shows respect for the interview process, reflects your time management skills, and establishes perceptions of reliability. Arriving on time conveys your commitment, organization, and responsibility, while being late can raise concerns and create a negative perception. By prioritizing punctuality, you set yourself up for a successful and smooth interview experience.

Examples:

Imagine you arrive 15 minutes early for your interview. The receptionist notices your punctuality and informs the interviewer. This creates a positive impression before the interview even begins, demonstrating your professionalism and commitment to the opportunity.

If you arrive 10 minutes late for an interview, you may find the interviewer slightly frustrated or rushed. Being late can set a negative tone for the entire interview.

Actionable Tasks:

Research the location of the interview and plan your route.

Add extra time to your estimated travel time to account for unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic congestion or public transportation delays.

Set multiple alarms to ensure you wake up on time on the interview day.

How do I know I passed this?

You planned out the trip, the travel time, and set alarm clocks

You arrived at the interview location on time or at least 15 minutes before.

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Don’t Hesitate to Ask During and at the End

Why is This Important?

Asking questions shows the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the company, the role, and the overall opportunity. It conveys your enthusiasm and curiosity, which can leave a positive impression. It also makes the conversation less boring, because you actively engage the interviewer’s interest. Imagine asking someone and having them answer only, it wouldn’t be a proper conversation!

Examples:

During an interview for a marketing position, when asked about your experience with social media strategies, you take the opportunity to ask the interviewer about the company’s current social media presence and the specific challenges they are facing. This shows your interest and allows for a more engaging conversation, and you can score a bonus point if you give valuable insight after their answer.

Actionable Tasks:

Prepare a list of questions and scenarios not only to ask but to engage the interviewer.

How do I know I passed this?

You are able to ask at least 1 question confidently during the interview which leads to at least 2 minutes of meaningful discussion.

🤔Stage 9: After the Interview

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Don't Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Why is This Important?

Taking care of yourself after an interview is important for not being burned out and for long term success. Here at

thejobsco.io⁠

, we think of stress as a ticking time bomb.

Everybody has different baselines, but a build up of stress without release is bound to cause you damages, even if they are visible. A buildup of stress can lead to: anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, muscle tension, heart problems, high blood pressure, strokes, sleep problems, weight gain, and much more.

Examples:

Imagine you have just completed a series of intense job interviews that required a significant amount of preparation and energy. Afterward, you feel mentally and physically drained. However, instead of taking time to rest and recharge, you immediately dive into applying for more jobs and attending networking events without giving yourself a break. This lack of self-care leads to burnout and hinder your long-term outcomes.

Actionable Tasks:

As a long term solution, identify and implement effective stress management techniques that work for you

As your schedule demands, take time to engage in activities to reduce stress, after stressful events such as an interview

How do I know I passed this?

Long term, you know how to manage your stress, by implementing stress reducing activities

As it demands, you know when to stop and relax after stressful bouts

You notice a shift in your mindset towards a more positive and resilient outlook overall

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Don't Ignore Red Flags

Why is This Important?

Red flags often indicate potential concerns or problems within the company. Companies will want to hide these, so it’s up to you to be able to surmise these during your research and interviews.

Examples:

Here are some red flags that you should pay attention to:

Poor communication, if you notice the company exhibits a lack of transparent communication during the interview.

High turn-over rate, if you notice a pattern of frequent employee turn-over or if the interviewer mentions a high turnover rate.

Excessive workload or unrealistic expectations, if the interviewer mentions heavy workload, long hours, or unreasonable expectations without clear support or resources, it could signal a potential burnout or work-life imbalance.

Disrespecting others: the work culture is not respectful

Inappropriate questions or comments: unprofessionalism is always a red flag

Resistance to change: the company is stuck in the past

Exploding offers: when you aren’t given sufficient time to think about an offer deadline

Actionable Tasks:

Take some time to reflect on the red flags you noticed during and after the interview.

Conduct additional research on the company to gather more information or insights.

How do I know I passed this?

You have researched the red flags, evaluated your fit with each other, and made a conscious decision that aligns with your interests

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Don’t Lose Your Confidence

Why is This Important?

Maintaining confidence after the interview is important for several reasons. It allows you to objectively evaluate your performance, follow up professionally and enthusiastically, and present yourself as a capable candidate. Confidence also helps you stay motivated, open to new opportunities, and perform at your best in future interviews. By believing in yourself and preserving your spirit, you increase your chances of success and demonstrate the qualities employers value in a candidate.

Examples:

Imagine you had an interview for a job you really wanted, but unfortunately, you didn’t receive an offer. Instead of feeling discouraged and losing confidence, you maintain a positive attitude. You reflect on the interview, identifying areas where you did well and areas that could be improved.

After an interview, you receive an email notifying you that you didn’t make it to the next round. Feeling disappointed and questioning your abilities, you start doubting your qualifications and worth as a candidate. This loss of confidence affects your motivation, and you find it challenging to muster the enthusiasm to continue your job search.

Actionable Tasks:

Maintain a confident mindset. No matter what happens, you’ll still remain confident

How do I know I passed this?

You find yourself staying motivated and enthusiastic about your job search despite rejections and setbacks.

You know when and how to talk back self-defeating thoughts

🤝Stage 10: Negotiation/Closing

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Don’t Focus Solely on Salary

Why Is This Important?

Focusing solely on salary during negotiations is not ideal because it overlooks other important factors. The total compensation, job satisfaction, long-term growth opportunities, market value, and work-life balance are all crucial considerations. Salary is just one part of the package, and evaluating the overall benefits, career prospects, and personal fulfillment is essential. Negotiations should aim for a balanced approach considering multiple aspects for mutually beneficial arrangements.

Examples:

You may have a job offer with a high salary, but you must travel far to get there, which can negatively impact your work-life balance. Before accepting the offer, considering factors beyond salary, such as commute time and overall job satisfaction.

A job with a lower salary but more opportunities for skill development and career growth may be more valuable in the long run than a high-paying job with limited growth potential. By looking beyond salary, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your career goals and aspirations.

Actionable Tasks:

Look beyond the salary figure and consider the compensations package, including benefits, bonuses, and perks.

Assess how well the job offer aligns with your personal and professional goals, values, and priorities.

Evaluate the potential career growth and advancement.

How do I know I passed this?

You are able to look past the salary figure and weigh other considerations.

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Don’t Burn Bridges

Why is This Important?

Maintaining positive relationships and avoiding burning bridges opens doors for future opportunities. During the job search, you gain a lot of bridges, and it’s in your best interest to keep these, and even maintain them over time.

Examples:

Following a job offer which you reject, you take the time to send a thoughtful and appreciative email or letter to the hiring manager, expressing your gratitude for their time and consideration. You emphasized your continued interest in the organization and expressed openness to future possibilities. Because of your graceful answer, the interviewer has a positive outlook on you and is willing to engage with you again in the future.

Actionable Tasks:

Maintain your relationships built during the job search over time. Even if you were rejected or you rejected a job, you still might be able to cultivate a relationship which might lead to a future job

How do I know I passed this?

You changed your mindset to not burn bridges

You are still able to maintain regular communication and interact professionally with contacts built during your job search

💼Stage 11: New/On-The-Job Training

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Don’t Rush Through the Training

Why is This Important?

Taking the time to thoroughly go through on-the-job training is critical for effective learning, skill development, knowledge retention, safety awareness, confidence building, and long-term good performance

Examples:

A software development company that rushes the training of new hires on a complex programming language. The employees struggle to understand the intricacies of the language and make mistakes in their code, not to mention writing code in syntax that’s outside of company conventions.

In the construction industry, safety training is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of workers. If safety training is rushed or shortcuts are taken, employees may not fully comprehend safety procedures or the proper use of equipment.

Actionable Tasks:

Change your mindset of being properly trained first before starting to do something at full scale

Break down the training material into manageable chunks and allocate specific time slots for studying and practicing.

How do I know I passed this?

You have taken the time to absorb and understand the training material thoroughly and can apply the skills and knowledge gained effectively on the job.

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Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

Why is This Important?

Asking for help during on-the-job training (OJT) is essential for a successful learning experience. It accelerates learning by tapping into the knowledge and expertise of the experienced colleagues and trainers, allowing you to grasp new concepts and skills more quickly. It also helps build positive relationships with your colleagues.

Examples:

During on-the-job training I had to learn how to use , process, or software application can save time and prevent errors. Seeking guidance from experienced colleagues or supervisors ensures that tasks are performed accurately and effectively.

Actionable Tasks:

Change your mindset toward asking for help. It’s in your best interest to have the knowledge at your job to be able to do what you need to do.

Actively take notes, and write down your questions in a piece of paper to keep track on them and have a clear reference during discussions or when seeking assistance. This will make your effort be more respectful as you will appear prepared.

Actively seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors during the training process.

How do I know I passed this?

You have a healthy mindset toward asking for help, and aren’t afraid to do so.

You’ve compiled a list of questions and have asked for help from colleagues and mentors.

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Hey guys it’s Jake (the CEO!). I have an important ask...

So I grew up super poor :( and would have LOVED something like this when I was doing my job search. In a way, I kinda made this resource for my younger self. It started with me - I spent so much time and money to seed these free resources, but ultimately it is to be opensourced, and will be translated in every language so the entire world can have access to it. In the age of the internet, let’s make sure everyone has the right to information, if they are hard working enough to work for it - that’s the true equalizing power of the internet.

If you’d like to contribute, please visit our

Jobs-Forum⁠

where you can contribute to these free research resources, so everybody in the world can benefit from it no matter their socioeconomic status.

📖Overview

❓Stage 1: Evaluating Yourself

Don’t Ignore Your Weaknesses and Strengths

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Don’t Be Too Self-Critical

🏆Stage 2: Establish Your Career Objectives

Don’t Set Unclear Career Goals

Don’t Panic if You Lack Relevant Experience

Don’t Neglect Work-Life Balance