Veteran using his laptop to look for work.

The meaning of Sabotage; "to deliberately destroy, damage or obstruct (something)".

Your job search is an opportunity to take control of your future, your quality of life, and your standard of living. It’s your chance to make a real difference for yourself and your family. When people don’t get positive results as quickly as they had hoped, fear and despair sometimes take over and the job search suffers. It is here where people often become their own saboteurs. To avoid this self-defeating behavior, here are some ways to accelerate your job search.

Fully Embrace LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the number one best way to put yourself out in the market broadly and quickly. Build a complete profile that mirrors your master resume, learn how to tag people and hashtag topics or communities of people, join peer groups and make connections to grow your network of people who can help you find your perfect next career.

Tailor your Resume to the Job Posting EVERY SINGLE TIME you Apply

Applicant tracking systems give the application (including the resume) a raw score when you apply. A resume that has been very strategically (and honestly!) tailored to the job description, using keywords and terms found in the description, has a much higher chance of being highly scored and called for an interview.

Craft a Proper Cover Letter

No, you cannot just use the same cover letter every time or skip it because they say it’s optional. Use the same template, but rewrite recipient info, the subject (Job title and ref #), and the 250-word body to explain, in plain language, why you’re the best candidate for the job, highlighting recent experience or achievements to back up your claim.

Put your Best Image Forward

Whether in person or on zoom, your visual presentation matters. Get a haircut, be well groomed or clean shaven, sit upright in your chair, wear clean and ironed clothes appropriate for the interview.

Keep All Answers Complete and Concise

Use the STAR method. What was the Situation, the Task, the Actions you took and the impactful Results achieved? DO NOT be lulled into a comfortable conversation and just be talking! Be professional, be respectful and be 100% positive about all things all the time. Make friends later. Bring copies of your master resume and targeted resume for yourself and to hand out, and a copy of the job description for yourself.

Clean Up your Social Media Presence

Review every social media post and comment going back, well, forever. If there is something to be found that is off-putting or offensive or to be used against you in a hiring decision, assume they will find it. Delete all things political or religious or divisive. Delete it now or resign yourself to the consequences.

“But, I gotta be ME!” Fine, but YOU are currently unemployed, or under-employed. We all make choices.

Respond to All Inquiries in a Timely Manner

Like IMMEDIATELY! When they ask to see your complete master resume, your diploma and transcripts, your discharge papers, for you to be available for an interview, or for you to answer a ringing phone even when you don’t recognize the number! Comply immediately and completely.

Apply for the Job you Really Want and Deserve

This is a tough one. People often shoot low when they need a job right now. Any job. So they aim low and hit low. You are valuable. You are worthy of the job you have worked to be qualified for, at the compensation your experience and knowledge deserves and in due consideration of the risks and complexities of the job. Don’t compromise it for anyone. Know your worth, go after it and don’t be talked out of it just because you’re in need. You’ll regret it forever.

Lack of confidence in the job search causes people to procrastinate or underperform. The fear of yet another rejection makes them make a half-hearted attempt. Getting hired takes effort. It takes humility to admit you need a job and confidence to ask for the job along with the compensation you deserve.

Find someone to help keep you moving forward, to support you, to encourage you not to get embroiled in self-sabotage; someone who won’t accept your excuses for taking shortcuts or for putting off what you know needs to be done ASAP. Find an expert to advise you on your job search. Not just someone who has spent a lot of time looking for themselves, or someone with good ideas but no real experience. For Veterans, this is completely free at Still Serving Veterans!

★ For help with your job search, reach out to the Veteran Career & Transition team at Still Serving Veterans, https://ssv.org/careerservices

★ Join the conversation on our LinkedIn Group to receive info we post nowhere else: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12623085/

★ Follow us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ssveterans/ to be updated on all SSV is doing for our Veteran community.

Blog Author: David Lakin, SSV Veteran Career & Transition Services Program Manager