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You know the friend who constantly dates the wrong kind of person? The one who's endlessly frustrated that he or she is going to die alone because all the good ones are taken?
After enough venting sessions, you realize something your friend doesn't: He or she is the common thread tying together all of these -- let's just say it together -- losers. Someone needs to speak up and say, "You're doing this to yourself."
You'll find this same pattern can be true in a job hunt. Granted, we're in tough times and plenty of reasons out of your control can keep you from getting hired. But that's just one more reason to do everything within your power to be the best job seeker you can.
With that in mind, look over these 25 ways you might be unknowingly sabotaging your job search:
1. Assuming you'll never need to look for another job
You love your current job and that's great. If you're happy there and see a promising future, I hope you never have to leave. Nevertheless, you should always be prepared for the day you have to move on. Even if the boss loves you, things can change. Buyouts, economic disasters or changes in leadership can affect your employment. Continue to update your résumé while you're employed so that you have an accurate record of your accomplishments.
2. Burning bridges
We love the scenes in movies where the disgruntled employee finally tells off the boss and storms out of the office, only to live a happy, fulfilling life. In real life, these idols are probably unemployed because they don't have good references, and no employer wants to hire someone with a tarnished reputation.
3. Keeping mum on your job search
Most people aren't keen on being unemployed, and if you were laid off it's understandable that you don't want to spend all your time talking about it. But you need to network; it's one of the most effective ways to find a job. A friend of a friend of a friend often gets you the interview that lands you the job -- but that won't happen if no one knows you're looking for new career opportunities.
4. Looking for "The One"
Although you want to conduct a focused job search, you need to keep an open mind. With any luck, you'll land the perfect gig but sometimes you have to take a job that possesses most of the qualities you want -- not all of them. If the pay is right, the requirements are in line with your experience and the opportunities for promotion are good, then you might have to overlook the fact that you have to wake up 30 minutes earlier than you'd like.
5. Not searching at all
This mistake probably seems obvious, but as anyone who's been on a lengthy job hunt can tell you, discouragement is easy to come by. A few weeks or months without a job and enough news segments on layoffs are enough to convince you that no one is hiring. Without question the market's competitive, but if you're not actively looking for work, don't expect it to fall in your lap.
6. No cover letter
Including a cover letter is an easy way to play it safe during a job hunt. Although not every employer wants one, surveys continually find employers who automatically remove job seekers from consideration if they don't include a cover letter. Why would you give any employer a reason not to hire you?
7. A generic cover letter
The only thing worse than no cover letter is one that could be sent to any anonymous employer. Starting with "To Whom It May Concern" and filling the page with phrases like "hard working" will signal the reader that you're blindly sending out applications to every job opening you see. Hiring managers are looking for someone who fits their needs, and their needs are different than another employer's. Don't treat them the same.
8. Typos
If you received a wedding invitation full of misspelled words and poor punctuation, you'd probably wonder why these two people didn't take the time to proofread the page. After all, it's an important event and a lot of people will be reading it. Employers will wonder the same thing about a résumé or cover letter filled with errors.
9. All "me" and not enough "you"
Your cover letter and résumé are definitely about you, but they're not for you. Employers are only interested in you in the context of what you can do for them. Whenever you reveal information about yourself, use it as proof that you offer something to the company that no one else can.
10. Giving bad contact information
When hiring managers like what they see on your résumé and cover letter, they're going to look for your contact information. If they see that your e-mail address is BeerFreak80@email.com or your current work number is the best way to contact you, they're going to think twice before reaching out. The only thing worse is forgetting to include your contact information at all.
11. Running late
Every boss wants an employee who is dependable and a good representative of the company. Someone who's tardy to an interview is neither.
12. Dressing for the wrong job
Appearances matter in an interview, and you should dress for what's appropriate in your field. Find out what the dress code is before you show up so you fit in with the company culture. Wearing a suit when you're told jeans are the norm can make you seem stuffy; wearing shorts and sandals when everyone else is wearing suits makes you look oblivious. You're better off erring on the side of too professional than too casual.
13. Griping about past employers
Keep in mind that you're not guaranteed to be with any company forever. When you talk trash about your last company, your interviewer's thinking, "What are you going to say about me once you leave?"
14. Not asking questions
One quintessential interview question is, "Do you have any questions for me?" Sitting there silently suggests you're not invested in the job. When you go to a restaurant, you probably have a few questions for the waiter. Shouldn't you be just as curious about a new job?
15. Not doing your research
Research for a new job involves two important subjects: the position and the company. Find out as much about the position as you can so you can decide if you even want it and you can position yourself as the best fit for the job.
Knowing all you can about the company will help you decide if you like its direction and share its ideals. Plus, when it comes to the all important "Do you have any questions for us?" portion of the interview （see above）, you have plenty of material to cover.
16. Thinking the interview starts and ends in a meeting room
The formal interview occurs when you shake hands with the interviewer and ends when you leave the room. The full process begins when you're called or e-mailed to come in for an interview and it continues every time you converse with someone at the company. Were you rude to the recruiter or the receptionist? You never know what gets reported back to the hiring manager.
17. Talking about money too soon
As eager as you are to land the job and cash your first paycheck, let the employer mention salary first. Broaching the subject first implies you're more eager about money than about doing a good job.
18. Acting cocky
You never want to beg for a job, but you should act like you care about it. If your confidence level spills over into arrogance, you'll guarantee no employer will want to work with you.
19. Being so honest you're rude
Not every job will turn into a lifelong career, and you might have no intention of staying at the company more than a year or two when you interview. Still, hiring managers don't want to hear that you're just taking this job to pass time until you find a real job that you care about. You don't need to commit yourself to the company for a decade, but don't make yourself sound like a flight risk, either.
20. Forgetting your manners
Common courtesy can get you far, and in a job hunt you'd like to get as far as possible. After an interview, send a thank-you note （via e-mail or regular mail） to show your gratitude to the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. This will leave him or her with a good impression of you.
21. Stalking the hiring manager
If the interviewer gives you a deadline for hearing back from him or her, go ahead and call to see if a decision has been made. Do not call, e-mail and visit every day until you finally get a response -- which will probably be, "You definitely did not get the job."
22. Not keeping track of your applications
Because a job hunt can be a lengthy process, you should have a running list of where you've applied and whether or not you've heard back. Although you don't think you'll forget where you applied, after a dozen applications your memory can get fuzzy. Sending multiple applications to the same employer says, "I'm either disorganized or I'm just sending out bulk applications."
23. Not learning from mistakes
You're bound to make a mistake here and there during an interview. If a question trips you up, think about what went wrong and prepare for it the next time. Don't forget mistakes from your past, either. Look back at jobs you hated and try to avoid landing one of those jobs again.
24. Assuming you got the job
Don't ever assume you have the job until you actually hear the hiring manager say, "You got the job." Several factors can complicate whether or not you get hired, so don't halt your job search until you receive an offer. Keep searching for work because the deal might fall through at the last minute or you might find an even better job.
25. Forgetting the lessons you learned during a job search
When your hard work pays off and you do land a job, don't forget all the trials and trouble you went through to get it. Just because you have a paycheck doesn't mean you've looked for your last job. Remember how important it is to maintain a network, keep track of your achievements and have good references. If you do find yourself looking for work again, you'll have a much easier time.
你也許有這么一個朋友，他總是碰上糟糕的約會對象，十分害怕自己最后孤老終身，因為好的對象都被挑光了。
聽了一大通牢騷后，你發現了他沒發現的問題：他（或她）正是把這些所謂爛人串在一起的那根線。他需要有人當頭棒喝，告訴他"你這是自作自受".
求職過程中也有類似的情況。誠然，你處境困難，有無數不可控的因素可能成為求職成功的障礙。但也正因為如此，你更應該盡全力走好求職之路。
意識到這點后，請注意以下25個可能不知不覺引你走向失敗的壞習慣：
1. 認為你不需要找工作
你若喜歡目前的工作那當然很棒。如果這份工作讓你心情愉悅并有發展前景，我希望你永遠不必離開。但是，你應該隨時做好準備，也許有一天你必須離開。即使老板再喜歡你，一切也都可能有變數。并購，經濟危機或者公司換帥都會影響你的工作。在你供職期間就保持更新簡歷，這樣就能詳細的記錄工作業績。
2. 過河拆橋
電影中這樣的情境往往讓我們覺得很過癮：一個不滿的員工痛痛快快斥責了老板一通然后沖出辦公室，擁抱自己的幸福生活去了。但生活中這些白癡很可能會失業，因為他們沒有好的推薦意見，而沒有那個老板愿意雇傭名聲不好的員工。
3. 對找工作只字不提
沒人喜歡失業，如果你丟了工作不愿到處宣揚這可以理解。但你得跟人交際，這是找工作最有效的方法之一。一個朋友或朋友的朋友往往能給你帶來下一份工作的面試機會--當然首先他們要知道你在尋找新的職場機會。
4. 尋找你心中的唯一
雖然你找工作有一定得目標，但是也應該有開明的心態。幸運的話，你確實能找到誠心如意的完美工作，但有時那份工作可能只符合你的大部分條件而非全部。如果薪水不錯，要求跟你的經歷大致吻合，又有升職空間，那你可能就該接受要早30分鐘起床，即使不太情愿。
5. 什么都不做
這個失誤是顯而易見的，不過每個有過長時間求職經歷的人都會告訴你，你會很容易出現喪氣的情緒。失業幾周甚至幾個月，不斷看到裁員的新聞，這些都足夠讓你以為根本沒地方在招人。市場競爭當然激烈得很，但你不采取主動，也不能指望工作會從天上掉下來。
6.沒有求職信
在簡歷中加入附信是招工作一個保險的方法。雖然求職信不作要求，但調查多次發現雇主會自動過濾沒有求職信的應聘者。何必自己給雇主一個淘汰你的理由呢？
7. 求職信沒有針對性
比沒有求職信更糟糕的就是一封寄給什么雇主都成的"萬精油"求職信。抬頭寫著"至相關人士",內容充斥著"工作努力"等等，這會讓看信的人認為你只是盲目地向你看到的每個空缺職位投遞簡歷。招聘主管在找的是符合他們要求的人，而他們的要求跟別的雇主是不同的。所以請勿"一視同仁".
8. 錯誤百出的打字稿
如果你收到的婚禮請帖滿是拼寫錯誤和標點錯誤，你恐怕會想這兩個人怎么不花點時間檢查一遍。畢竟結婚是大事，請帖也會有很多人看到。同樣，雇主看到錯誤百出的簡歷和求職信也會有同感。
9. 只關注自己，不關注公司
你的求職信和簡歷當然是關于你的，但卻不是為你準備的。雇主們對你感興趣主要是基于你能為他們做些什么。當你推介自己時，別忘了以此證明你能為公司做出他人做不到的貢獻。
10. 不恰當的聯系信息
招聘主管要是對你的簡歷和求職信滿意，他們就會看你的聯系信息。如果你的電子郵件地址是BeerFreak80@email.com（BeerFreak意為啤酒怪胎）,或者你的最佳聯系方式是當前辦公室的電話，那么在聯系你之前他們就會三思了。還有更糟的，那就是忘記寫上聯系方式。
11. 遲到
每個老板都喜歡可靠的，能代表公司形象的員工。而一個面試都遲到的人兩點都不符合。
12. 著裝不當
形象會影響面試，你的打扮應該適合那個行業。事先了解著裝規則，這樣你就能融入公司文化。如果別人都穿牛仔褲而你穿了西裝會顯得木訥，如果大家都西裝革履而你穿短袖和拖鞋就會顯得太隨便。寧愿穿正式點也不能穿得過于隨意。
13. 抱怨前任雇主
注意你不會永遠待在一家公司。當你數落上一家公司時，面試你的人心里會想，"你離開本公司的話會說我什么壞話呢？"
14. 不提問
面試中的一個經典問題是，"你有什么問題嗎？"如果一言不發就說明你對這個工作不了解。當你走進一家餐廳，你都可能有些問題要問服務員。而對一份新工作不是也應該有些好奇嗎？
15. 不做調查
對新工作做調查主要涉及兩方面：崗位和公司。盡量了解有關該崗位的信息，從而決定你是否想要這份工作，還能想想為什么你能勝任該崗位。了解一家公司有助于你確定是否喜歡其發展方向，是否認同它的理念。另外，面試中被問到是否有問題時你也能從容應付了。
16.以為面試只局限在會議室
正式面試在你跟面試官握手時開始，而在你離開房間時結束。但整個過程卻是從你打電話或發郵件申請面試時就開始了，并且包括了你每次跟該公司任何員工的談話。你對招聘人員和接待人員無禮了嗎？畢竟什么都可能傳到招聘主管耳朵里。
17. 迫不及待提到錢
不論你多么急切要得到這份工作和你的第一份薪水，應該讓雇主先提到工資。如果你先提就說明你更關心錢而不是好好工作。
18. 驕傲自大
你不必祈求一份工作，但你應該表現出重視。如果你自信過度而顯得傲慢，相信沒有那個雇主會愿意跟你共事。
19. 太實誠而顯得魯莽
不是每份工作都會成為你終身的職業，面試時你可能也沒想過在這家公司待上兩年以上。盡管如此，招聘主管們也不愿聽到你只是把這份工作當做過渡打發時間。你不必跟公司承諾會為它工作十年，但也不要讓他們覺得你很不可靠隨時會走人。
20. 忘了基本的禮貌
禮貌可以助你走很遠，在求職路上你當然希望走得越遠越好。面試之后，給對方寄一封感謝信（電子郵件或普通郵件都行）表達你對面試官抽出時間見你的感激之情。這會讓他們對你印象加分。
21. 頻繁聯系招聘主管
如果面試官告訴你最遲什么時候會通知你面試結果，那么盡管打電話詢問結果是否出來。但不要在收到回復前每天打電話、發郵件、到公司找人，這很可能會導致一個結果，就是他們告訴你"您沒被錄用。"
22. 對應聘經歷不做記錄
由于求職可能是一項長期工程，你應該記錄好應聘過哪些公司，哪些公司還沒回復你。你可能以為自己會記得住，可是申請上十幾次你可能就暈頭轉向了。向同一家公司多次提出申請意味著，"我不是做事沒條理，就是在到處亂發簡歷。"
23. 不會吸取教訓
面試中你肯定會犯這樣那樣的錯誤。如果被一個問題難住了，想想為什么答不出來，避免下次再犯同樣的錯誤。也別忘了以前犯過的錯。回想一下你不喜歡的那些工作，以免以后再找同樣的差事。
24. 假定你已經得到這份工作
招聘主管沒說"這份工作是你的了"前，永遠別假定你得到它了。很多復雜的因素會影響你能否得到一份工作，所以在你收到錄用函前別停止找工作。你應該繼續找，因為之前的面試可能失敗，而且你也許會找到更好的。
25. 忘記求職過程中的教訓
當你的努力終于換來一份工作，別忘了求職過程中的困難和考驗。你暫時有工資了并不代表這就是你的最后一份工作。記住維持你的交際網很重要，記錄你的工作業績，也要有好的推薦人。一旦再踏上求職路，你就會得心應手地多。
