🆓 40+ Highly Rated Free Udemy Job Search Courses

Improve your job search skills today with a free job search course online.

Photo by Kimberly Farmer

Udemy currently has over 80,000 online video courses available on their site, but the vast majority are paid.

Fortunately, some creators have made their courses free, which is great news for both job seekers who can and can't afford the paid courses.

Also good to know is that these free job search courses are full versions, and not just short teaser versions of more complete, paid courses.

You can really take your job search to a higher level by taking a free job searching course to address a challenge you're having, to get faster results or simply to learn a new tactic that could open more doors for you.

And as of this writing, there's no limit to the number of free courses you can take.

Browse the list and set aside some time to try the courses that sound most appealing for your current job search…

… or a future one, because owning a Udemy course gets you lifetime access to it. As long as the course still exists, you'll always be able to access it, even if the creator decides to make it a paid course later.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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How to use this list

Along with the short outline, author and ratings, each free job search course listing mentions how many lectures are involved (sometimes they may only be a few minutes long), the total video viewing time of all course materials, and which level of participant the course is a good fit for.

The courses are grouped in categories, where each category is ordered by popularity in decreasing order, with the highest rated course appearing first.

Jump directly to a category with these links:

• Resumes / CVs
• Job Interviews
• Success
• Social Media
• Careers
• General

The top free job search courses online at Udemy

Are these the best free online courses to take to get a job? You be the judge.

Resumes / CVs

SEO Your Resume: Bypass HR with Keyword Optimization

17 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

72% of resumes submitted are never seen by HR people. In 45 minutes learn to SEO your resume to be visible & attractive. | By Mike Glezos

4.5  (1,465 ratings)

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Introduction to Resumes & Cover Letters

10 lectures | 44 mins | Beginner

A Free Introductory Course To Mastering Resumes & Cover Letters | By Clark Waggoner

4.0 (624 ratings)

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Resume: The one page document to success

6 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Customize your resume for your dream jobs. | By Brian O'Dwyer

4.2  (290 ratings)

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How to Make a Resume Website With WordPress

12 lectures | 1.5 hours | Beginner

Learn to make your own resume website with wordpress in this step by step beginners tutorial | By WP With Tom

4.3  (256 ratings)

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How to Use Microsoft Word to Format Resume Templates

22 lectures | 2 hours | All Levels

Using basic, intermediate, and some advanced features of Microsoft Word to modify and customize resume templates | By Helen Parker

4.5  (213 ratings)

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Resume Secrets: Writing Resumes that Get More Job Interviews

38 lectures | 2.5 hours | All Levels

Write a Resume (CV) and Cover Letter that Stand Out & Get Read – Avoid Mistakes and Use Best Practices from Top Resumes. | By Andrew Tye

4.1  (132 ratings)

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Word 2013 Complete – Build perfect Resume and Thesis + E.G

66 lectures | 4 hours | All Levels

Full guide to use Microsoft Word starting from scratch till you become pro – 100% Comprehensive course A – Z | By Fadi G. Char

4.4  (92 ratings)

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Mini-course: How to Make an Infographic Resume Using Easelly

13 lectures | 35 mins | Beginner

Learn how to showcase your education, skills, expertise, and personality in a visual way without any design experience! | By Dinah Ramirez

4.1  (91 ratings)

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HOW TO WRITE A RESUME

8 lectures | 1 hour | Intermediate

with example resume | By Jim Duhovny

4.2  (40 ratings)

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Job Interviews

Job Interview Skills Training Course

32 lectures | 1.5 hours | All Levels

Land that dream job by dazzling during your interview | By TeachUcomp, Inc.

4.3 (3,621 ratings)

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Job Interviewing: Complete Job Interview Success Course 6HR

112 lectures | 6 hours | All Levels

Job Interviewing is critical. Learn all key Job Interview skills + demo on answering specific job interview questions. | By Steve Ballinger, MBA

4.3  (376 ratings)

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Overcoming Job Interview Anxiety: Reduce Stress & Get Hired!

16 lectures | 1 hours | All Levels

Job Interviews are stressful. Learn how to be more confident and not nervous on your next Job Interview and get hired! | By Steve Ballinger

4.1 (375 ratings)

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Interviewing Skills for Jobs: Ace the Job Interview

22 lectures | 6 hours | All Levels

Interviewing Skills – How to ace any job interview-Excel in all Job Interviewing skills | By TJ Walker

4.3  (191 ratings)

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Watch Me Get a Job Interview (Literally) New Grads & College

53 lectures | 5.5 hours | All Levels

Graduated Without a Job Offer? Let Me Show You How to Get a Job Interview STEP BY STEP | By Dayvon Goddard

4.5 (120 ratings)

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Success

Find Your Dream Job

11 lectures | 1 hours | All Levels

Be a Savvy Job Seeker by Thinking Like an Employer (Learn from a LinkedIn Expert) | By Rebecca Vertucci

3.9  (503 ratings)

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Roads To Lift The Success Curtains

10 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

The Man Who Removes A Mountain Begins By Carrying Away Small Stones. | By Mohammad Tahir Ahmed

4.5 (9 ratings)

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Social Media

What Is Linkedin | How To Use LinkedIn

10 lectures | 1 hour | Beginner

What Is LinkedIn? It is the largest professional social media network. Wanna know how to use LinkedIn this will help. | By Lee Beattie

4.1  (458 ratings)

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Linkedin – Social Media Marketing

10 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Learn How To Break And Dominate Linkedin! | By Maksym V

3.7 (375 ratings)

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LinkedIn Profile SEO – Rank #1 in People Search

6 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Be findable on Linkedin. Learn how to rank in the top of your industry in Linkedin People Search. | By Jerad Hill

4.3 (274 ratings)

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LinkedIn Basics for Freelancers | You Must Do This First

21 lectures | 1 hour | Beginner

Create a high quality profile, attract clients, and grow your network in 60 minutes or less! | Eff the Office

4.5  (51 ratings)

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Careers

Branding : Personal Brand Building

27 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Branding a Personal Brand | By Jeremy Deighan, Concept Courses

4.0 (54 ratings)

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How To Set Your Career Compass For 2018

10 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Making sure you next move is to a job you really love | By Gary Lloyd

4.3  (38 ratings)

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Ultimate Career Development

24 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

In this course you will learn everything you need know, to create and implement the Ultimate Career Plan! | By Ronan Kennedy

3.9  (37 ratings)

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The Hidden Secrets of Work Dynamics

19 lectures | 1.5 hours | All Levels

The ultimate guide to climb the career ladder | By Dalal A. A.

4.8  (16 ratings)

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General

Salary Negotiation: Learn the Negotiation Mindset

14 lectures | 32 mins | Beginner

Entry-level course for those new to negotiation. Get an informative, entertaining intro to earning more in under 30 min! | By Jim Hopkinson

4.4  (3,234 ratings)

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Become a Growth Marketer: Learn Growth Marketing & Get a Job

73 lectures | 4 hours | Beginner

Learn the skills to start your career in Growth Marketing. 5 hours of basic, intermediate, & advanced marketing lessons | By Evan Kimbrell, Justin Mares

4.5 (674 ratings)

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Best Practices for Volunteering Overseas

24 lectures | 2 hours | All Levels

Tips, tools, and resources to volunteer your professional skills overseas and safely plan the trip of a lifetime. | By Mark Horoszowski, Nafessa Kassim, Milleigh Vo

3.8  (174 ratings)

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Bookkeeping Job Search Guide

12 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Bookkeepers qualifications, qualities and soft skills. Expedite your job search and be in control of your career path. | By Majo Jacinto

4.1 (136 ratings)

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Work From Home Jobs: Top 10 Best Freelance Jobs!

21 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Discover the top 10 best work from home jobs. Freelance hourly or project based pay. All you need is a computer! | By Greg Gottfried

4.5 (121 ratings)

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Lean In Presents: What Works for Women at Work

5 lectures | 32 mins| All Levels

Learn how to spot four patterns of gender bias—and hear women’s real-life strategies for navigating them successfully. | By LeanIn Foundation

4.2 (99 ratings)

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10 Reasons You Can't Find A Job! (+10 SOLUTIONS) – NEW 2018

16 lectures | 2.5 hours | All Levels

The 10 most common reasons professionals can't find great jobs and what to do about each one of them! | By Hamza Zaouali

4.2  (80 ratings)

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The Power of Networking: Land your dream Job by standing out

6 lectures | 1 hour | Beginner

Event networking, building connections online, apply to job interviews, succeed at interviews, business communication | By Philip Hofmacher

4.2  (54 ratings)

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The Mini Job Search Boot Camp

23 lectures | 5 hours | All Levels

A Job FINDER course by Angela Loeb & Jay Markunas | By Angela R Loeb

4.3 (43 ratings)

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Land a High Potential Fortune 500 Executive Fast Track Job!

17 lectures | 2.5 hours | All Levels

Prominent HRM Fortune 500 CEO Dave Watkins gives you the steps to getting on high potential lists in your dream career! | By Dave Watkins, Scott Brown, Daniel Hall

3.8  (43 ratings)

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Business Fundamentals: Job Skills – Learning the Basics

18 lectures | 31 mins | All Levels

Take your career to the next level with these practical tips using the Business Fundamentals: Job Skills course | By Assem Hafsi

3.7  (37 ratings)

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Dominate the Hidden Job Market of 2018: The Free Mini Course

14 lectures | 1 hour | All Levels

Uncommon Expert Career Hacking Advice From A Top Headhunter For Apple & Google | By Ryan Lecour

4.3  (30 ratings)

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How to Land the Job You Want in 2 Weeks

57 lectures | 6.5 hours | All Levels

Bypass the Traditional Hiring Process and Find Work By Sending Out as Few as 10 Resumes | Husain Zaidi

4.1  (21 ratings)

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Recruiting Talent: How to find & attract the best candidates

16 lectures | 44 mins | All Levels

Optimize your recruiting efforts, find top talent, & make sure candidates are a perfect fit for your open positions | By Practical Growth

3.6 (14 ratings)

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Get Your Dream Job

14 lectures | 1.5 hours | Beginner

The Tips and Tricks to Stand Out | By Alison McMahon

4.0  (9 ratings)

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Write Winning Proposals For Freelance Job : A Ultimate Guide

26 lectures | 2.5 hours | All Levels

An Outstanding Course On How You Can Write A Great Freelance Proposal That Stands Out From Crowd And WIN More JOBS. | By Sayed Md Sakib Hossain

3.6 (10 ratings)

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How to Hire the Right People for the Right Jobs

25 lectures | 2.5 hours | Beginner

A Manager's Guide to Hiring Quality Personnel | By Jessica Stuart

3.6  (2 ratings)

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Question of the article

Have you ever taken a video course to improve your job search skills? How did it go? Tell us in the comments.

READ NEXT: Top Computer Skills Your Resume Needs Today [2018]

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 Udemy Black Friday Sale! Top Courses From $9.99

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Subscribe to JobMob via email and follow me on Twitter for more top free online job search resources.

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📇 Why Job Seekers Do Need Business Cards

If you want a new job, act like you already have one.

Photo by Saaleha Bamjee

For most people, a business card is a tool your employer gives you to help connect with partners and clients.

But what if you currently have no employer, or just want to connect with your own partners and clients i.e. other employers?

You need your own business cards.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Here are a few of the benefits of having your own business cards as a job seeker:

Cards are easier to carry than resumes

Paper resumes – still not dead – need a bulky carrying case or folder to keep them nice enough to give someone, and then that person needs to manage them too, which can be a big pain anywhere except at their office.

Business cards, on the other hand, fit in purses and wallets, and won't bend so easily if printed on good quality paper stock, avoiding the need for a case and making it easy to always keep a few cards in pockets because you never know who you'll meet.

at a job interview. when they ask for my resume i hand them a business card which reads only, “i’m pretty and my tweets are good.” they look up to see that i am winking

— sally handsome (@ghostclassique) May 22, 2018

Cards make you more memorable

People love faces, and we remember faces much more easily than names, but in many places, putting your face on your resume is taboo. Putting your face on your business card, however, is much more common and even expected sometimes.

Get the best of both worlds by clipping your portrait-bearing business card to every resume you hand out. That alone will make it stand out from others in a pile, and there's always a chance the recipient will un-clip your card as a reminder about you.

Cards reduce networking awkwardness

It's always a bit frustrating to not have a business card when someone asks for it. More so when they've just handed you theirs and are expecting one in return, and even more so when the reason you don't have one is because you have no employer to provide any.

Some unemployed job seekers will miss conferences and events just to avoid that kind of situation, but having your own cards means you have nothing to worry about.

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What to include on your job seeker business card

There are two kinds of job seeker business cards.

1) Resume cards

Resume cards, also called mini-resume cards, are exactly what you'd imagine: a small version of your resume. If you think cutting your resume down to one page is hard, these might be a bigger challenge.

A good resume card should have your contact information, portrait, and key achievements relevant to your current job search, presented with a clear design that makes the information easy to read even at such a small size.

While clearly easier to carry than a full-size resume, and amazingly effective when done well, resume cards are most useful when given to people you've specifically discussed job search with.

Here are a few resume card samples:

Designer

Graphic Designer

Web Designer

2) Personal business cards

The other kind of job seeker business card is the personal business card: a standard-looking business card, but with no mention of a job search or employer. It's only about you. The impression given is that you work for yourself, and in a very real sense, that is exactly what every job seeker does.

A good personal business card must have:

• Your portrait
• Contact information: full name, one phone number (mobile is best), job search email address. Mailing address is a waste of space in most cases
• Job title or profession you want to be known for (might not be related to your most recent job)
• Url (and/or QR code of) of a website about you professionally. This could be a personal website, online work portfolio, LinkedIn profile or other high-powered social media profile, etc.
• Clean, minimal design. If you choose from online templates, choose based on popularity
• Heavy paper card stock, which implies quality and will cost more, but it's worth it

A great personal business card might also have:

• Your personal logo, if you have one
• An unforgettable card design that's relevant to your profession
• Short versions of social network profile urls, if you use them for work (e.g. your Twitter @username)
• A bare flip-side (or back) giving recipients the option to jot a note about you. Some people will leave it partially bare except for a QR code or a short 3-4 word text: either a tagline that relates to who you are professionally and puts you in a positive light – a personal branding statement – or a list of your strongest skills i.e. the skills you most want to be known for

Personal business card samples to inspire you

This is the card I designed myself at Zazzle:

Software Engineer

Personal Trainer

Graphic Designer (2)

Senior Interactive Producer and Technical Director

Interactive Designer and Developer

Designer (2)

Teacher/Language Specialist

Substitute Teacher

Math and Science Tutor

Photographer and Stylist

Designer (3)

Art Director

Photographer

Baby Photographer

Photographer (2)

Make-up Artist

Android Developer

DJ

Graphic Designer (3)

Graphic Designer (4)

Graphic Designer (5)

Multimedia Animator

UI/UX Designer

Graphic and Interactive Designer

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Graphic and Web Designer

Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Personal Chef

Personal Chef (2)

Event Stylist

Music Teacher

Personal Trainer (2)

General purpose iPhone-looking card

Where to get your job seeker business cards

I use Zazzle. They have many, many templates to choose from (and you can also design your own) before getting them printed and shipped to you, even internationally. And they always seem to have discounts available.

If you want a custom card design, this is for you:

Free Bonus

If you want to transform your job search and start getting the benefits of good design, this free report will be a big help.

The download contains:

• 6 Case Studies About How To Find Great Graphic Designers
• Best Practices to Start Using Now
• The Most Popular Design Portfolio Sites
• The Top Freelance Design Marketplaces

Click the image below to get access to How To Find Great Freelance Designers Anywhere:

JobMob Insiders can get this free bonus and other exclusive content in the JobMob Insider Bonuses area. Join now, it's free!

Question of the article

What was the most impressive job seeker business card you've ever seen? Tell us in the comments.

READ NOW: 20 Classic Business Card Mistakes That Make Your Life Harder

Subscribe to JobMob via RSS or email and follow me on Twitter for more job search insights that might surprise you.

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😎 7 Signs You’re Actually An Expert On Anything

How to know if you're an expert and can call yourself one.

Photo by Hunters Race

When I started JobMob in December 2006 and officially launched it with a press release a few months later, job search wasn't one of the things I wanted to be an expert at.

Not even close.

The idea for the site came to me during the summer of 2006 when I was living in France but looking for a job in Israel. The local job market was humming along nicely at that point but when networking with other job seekers, I realized that I was still having more success than most.

Having begun following blogs a few months earlier, I noticed at the time that there were no Israel-based blogs about job search. A blog sharing my own job search experiences seemed to be a perfect way to experiment with blogging while also being the “first to market”. And so, JobMob was born.

At that point, I still wasn't a job search expert.

Then a funny thing happened.

The more time that I spent on JobMob trying to blog regularly, the more I learned about job search. And the more I learned, the more I began to understand how I could help others with their job search.

And it started happening.

Although I could have done it earlier, it was only really in 2008 – after JobMob had been around for over 18 months – that I became comfortable with the idea of calling myself an expert.

Here are some of the reasons why, and other reasons that might apply in your case.

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Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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How do you know if someone is an expert?

Only a few of these signs are enough on their own to call someone an expert, but if you recognize most if not all, that's when can you call someone a specialist.

1) More knowledge than others

Dictionary.com‘s definition of an expert is “a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field.” Meaning, if you have more knowledge on a subject than the average person, you might qualify as an expert in that field.

2) Recognized credentials

Whenever a market booms, the number of experts in that market quickly booms too as people try to cash in, like with social media.

If you spent 7+ years at an accredited university becoming a doctor and can now add ‘M.D.' to your name, few people will doubt your expertise.

3) Can demonstrate expertise

Anyone can read hundreds of blog posts, watch dozens of YouTube clips and then retell that information to anyone who asks.

Only real experts know how to apply that information in real world situations and will have done so.

4) Proven track record of success

Applying learned knowledge is only worthy if you're consistently achieving successful results.

5) Many testimonials

If you've helped other people to success, many of them will usually talk about that success. If they don't, ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation.

6) Well-versed in failure

An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field. -Niels BohrClick To Tweet

Niels Bohr famously said that “an expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.”

Only an expert knows how things can go wrong and how to anticipate and avoid that from happening.

7) Other experts refer to you

Although it doesn't take an expert to know one, it's a lot easier for another expert to know one.

If other experts are willing to put their reputation on the line by referring to you, you are probably already an expert yourself or on your way to becoming an expert in your field.

Why is this important for job seekers?

All job seekers, employed or not, should always carry personal business cards and even more so at networking events. But what do you write on the business card besides your name and contact information?

One option is to put the title of the job you're searching for, but that might be too specific, unnecessarily limiting your options.

A better option is to use the above 7-point list to determine what are you an expert at and then call yourself an expert in that field, keeping your options open to various industry-related positions.

On the other hand, if you're asking yourself “what should I be an expert in?”, use employer demand as a guide for what can you be an expert at, making future job searches easier. With that in mind, check out: Top Computer Skills Your Resume Needs Today

This is what you should do next

If you want more employers to know YOU are an expert, listen up.

Jeff Bezos, my former boss, says “Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room.” With that in mind, here's your chance to learn how to grow your personal brand as an expert from an expert who's been doing it successfully for years.

My friend and world renown career expert J.T. O'Donnell has created The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding course and she has a quick special message for you about it:

Click to learn more about all the benefits of the course, and don't forget to use coupon code JOBMOB50 (must be in ALL CAPS) to get a $50 discount.

Funny followup

From Ron Machol of Israemploy, a clip about why too many people think they're experts:

What others are saying

• How to Become an Expert (And Spot out One Nearby)
• Are You An Expert, Or Do You Feel Like You're Faking It?
• Counterpoint: Why You Should Stop Calling Yourself an Expert

Question of the article

Is social proof a way to know you're good at something? Should I have included it in the list above? Tell us in the comments.

I originally published a version of this article on the terrific Personal Branding Blog.

Subscribe to JobMob via RSS or email and follow me on Twitter for more ideas on how to turn your expertise into a new job.

via JobMob More Information Here..

😴 These Habits Are Most Likely To Stop You From Being Hired

Make it a habit to avoid these bad job search habits.

Photo by Hernan Sanchez

I was overconfident on my last job search, back in 2002.

Coming off a good job at Amazon.com in Paris and Seattle, I had just moved back to Israel. A big shock was about to arrive for the entire Internet industry, but I didn't know that.

On the contrary, I thought my prospects were great, and that companies would be lining up to hire a hotshot web development manager from one of the best known e-commerce companies (even back then, when it was much, much smaller).

I could not have been more wrong.

Oh sure, recruiters were impressed by my profile, but it wasn't a good match for the open jobs they had to offer. E-commerce was just beginning locally, and I wasn't going to get full value for my full skill set. I was going to have to adjust my expectations.

Then the dotcom bubble burst and recruiters stopped replying to my email cover letters, in some cases because they themselves had been let go.

As my job search started to drag on,  it was easier to just browse the few new job listings posted on my favorite job sites every morning, and then send out email feelers all afternoon.

It was a very efficient way to job search, but also a really ineffective way to job search.

It took months for me to break that bad habit of spending most of my job search glued to a computer screen.

Sound familiar?

I hope not!

There are so many other bad habits that you might pick up as a job seeker, making your search longer than necessary and making you your own worst enemy at a time in your life that you typically want to end as soon as possible.

For example…

James Clear is the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.

On the worst job search habit people ask him about, James told me:

A bad habit I often see people fall into is trying to win a job before they build connections. It's usually best to do it the other way around.

People want to do favors for others they know, like, and trust. People can sense when a job seeker is using recruiters, mentors, and others as a transactional relationship just to get a job.

Develop a genuine interest in the person helping you out and showcase how you can excel in the job once you've built that trust.

You'll notice that some bad habits can also lead to others.

My bad job search habit of only looking for jobs online also led to having the bad habit James describes. As social media didn't exist in 2002, networking online wasn't nearly as common, and I certainly wasn't doing much of it.

That's the first step to breaking these habits: recognizing that you have them.

Which bad job search habits are holding you back?

Here's a long list you can use to check.

James Clear: A bad habit I often see people fall into is trying to win a job before they build connections. It's usually best to do it the other way around.Click To Tweet

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To celebrate the release of James Clear's new Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, the book is 40% off until October 19th, 2018.

Buy Atomic Habits Now

Do you prefer audiobooks?

Sign up for a free 30-day Audible trial, which also includes coupons for 2 free audiobooks, and use one of the coupons to get the Atomic Habits audiobook as read to you by James Clear himself.

Getting the book before October 19th will also qualify you for a long list of exclusive bonuses, such as a private webinar and Q&A with James on Oct. 30th.

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Over 25 bad job search habits to break

1. Procrastinating

Are you constantly putting off your job search, or even just certain parts of it?

Schedule your job search time to create momentum: either begin your job search sessions with the easiest things you need to do, or the things you most want to do first.

2. Getting distracted

Schedule your job search time, period, and stick to the schedule… but give yourself breaks, time to exercise, time to learn or improve skills, and reward yourself for little wins such as getting positive responses from recruiters. Sleeping well will also help you stay focused.

3. Being late

It's hard to start an interview off on the right foot if you didn't even show up on time.

Scheduling your job search daily will also help break this habit, and always call ahead if you may be late.

4. Staying in your comfort zone

In my job search story, it was easy to drop down in front of my computer every day. If I had known James's advice about networking and made an effort to go out regularly for it, there's no doubt my job search would have ended much sooner.

5. Getting into a routine

On the job, routines are good and help you be more productive as your work towards goals.

On the job search, however, routines can be dangerous because of the chance you'll get comfortable going through the same ineffective motions every day, just like I did.

Between researching companies to target, tailoring resumes, networking and going to interviews, a good job search will have too much variety for you to get into a routine.

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Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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General job search

6. Not having a specific job in mind

If you aim for the bull's eye, there's a good chance you'll at least hit the target.

Focus your job search by looking for a specific kind of job while taking into account how job titles may differ for the same roles.

7. Applying to as many jobs as possible

Be picky when it comes to choosing where to apply. Target fewer companies more heavily as opposed to playing the numbers game.

8. Taking shortcuts

Resume distribution services send your resume to a long list of email addresses. This “resume blasting” is nothing more than a kind of spam. It'll raise your hopes when the chances of it helping are minimal.

Another kind of shortcut is to rely on placement agencies. I tried this once and it was a waste of time.

I thought that those recruiters' interests were the same as mine, since they got paid after I got hired. However, being a good candidate for a client of theirs doesn't guarantee the client company will be a good fit for you. The placement agencies will quickly stop forwarding your resumes if they see you rejecting companies.

9. Targeting recruiters instead of hiring managers

What good is convincing a recruiter to get you in the door if the hiring manager won't be interested?

10. Using work or personal email addresses 

At worst, your personal email address will be something embarrassing and unprofessional. At best, the mix of emails in your inbox will constantly distract you.

Your work email address, on the other hand, is problematic on a whole other level, and not just because your employer will discover your job search.

It's just easier to use a dedicated job search email address.

11. Not following up

Recruiters are busy people, just like you. It's very easy for things to slip through the cracks.

12. Following up too much

On the other hand, there's following up and then there's harassment.

Follow up once within a few days. Check in again at least a few weeks later if you're still interested in the role.

13. Spending too much effort online or offline

A lesson I learned the hard way

Resumes and CVs

14. Describing responsibilities rather than achievements

What's more impressive: managing company sales, or growing sales by over 50% in a single quarter?

The “So What?” resume writing method works best.

15. Using clichés and vague terms

Who isn't a “motivated self-starter” and a “team player”?

The best resumes are specific and to the point. You don't have the space to waste.

16. Wasting resume space on weak points

Everything you put on your resume should have a purpose: either how to contact you, or why the company should want to hire you. Avoid adding any filler. You don't have the space to waste.

17. Not proofreading your resumes

Most job seekers proofread their own resumes, if they bother proofreading at all.

That's not good enough.

18. Recycling your resume

Sending the same resume each time?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Every company is different and so should your communications be with them.

Tailor each resume once you've discovered what's most likely to impress them.

19. Rehashing your resume in your cover letters

The purpose of a cover letter is to tempt its reader to look at your resume, and a long cover letter is less likely to do that.

20. Using only one job site for all your needs

It was bad enough that my 2002 job search had me spending too much time online, it would have been worse if that time had been mostly spent on the same job site, closing myself off from many opportunities listed elsewhere.

There so many popular job boards to cross-reference, helpful job search blogs like this one, resume builders and other great online tools for your job search.

Job interviews

21. Not preparing for job interviews

I get it if you feel that you don't need to practice with sample job interview questions (although you should), but at least do some company research before the interview so you can prepare your own questions to ask.

22. Not being yourself in the interview

Some job seekers are so anxious about their interviews that they'll even memorize answers to potential questions, coming off stiff and unnatural, basically putting on an act. And not a very good one.

Of course recruiters will see right through this; they go through more interviews than you ever will.

Just be yourself. If you prepare for the interviews each time, you'll be fine.

23. Being too informal

I've been guilty of this early in my career. Sometimes you can be yourself a bit too much, and you give off the impression that you're not taking the interview or the recruitment process seriously.

With the experience of a few interviews under your belt, you'll start to get a better idea of where the “too informal” line is that you shouldn't cross.

24. Talking about yourself too much

Unlike what many people think, the point of the job interview isn't to tell interviewers how amazing you are and how lucky they would be to get you.

Rather, the point is to convince interviewers how amazing you would be for their company and how you can help them.

It's about them, not you.

25. Bad-mouthing

Especially after a layoff or what you consider an unjust firing, it's very easy to fall into the trap of bad mouthing former employers in frustration, or perhaps a former colleague while telling a story.

Interviewers value critical thinking and the ability to clearly analyze a situation you were part of, but be careful: stick to the facts and keep value judgements and opinions of others out of it.

It just leaves a bitter taste.

26. Unleashing nervous energy

Drumming your fingers, bouncing a leg, playing with your hair… you need to learn to control it.

Easy to say, I know.

Nervousness comes from the pressure you're feeling for the interview. The less you have at stake in an interview, the less pressure you'll feel.

One way to lower the stakes is by continuing to line up more interviews with other companies in parallel, and not putting all your hopes on the most recent company to invite you to their offices.

27. Taking job search rejection personally

Rejection often isn't about you. There are many reasons companies reject you, and many of those reasons are completely out of your control.

Rejection is going to happen. Accept it and move on.

If you lower the interview stakes as mentioned above, it will bother you less and become easier to take.

28. Always accepting the first offer

In over 11 years of blogging about job search, I've never heard anyone say they enjoyed looking for a new job. EVERYONE just wants the search to end asap so they can go back to feeling like a productive member of society, among other things.

I get the excitement when you finally get a job offer and are willing to accept it practically sight unseen, because you want it to end. All too often, this just leads you to trading your frustrating job search for a frustrating job.

But should you automatically reject the first offer?

Maybe.

First, learn how to evaluate new job offers.

Next – and now I'm repeating myself – lower the stakes and give yourself more negotiating power by continuing to line up other offers.

Best job search habits that will get you hired

When it comes to job search habits, it isn't all doom and gloom.

There are some terrific, effective, even powerful habits you can adopt that can have a massive, positive impact on your job searches.

I reached out to some of the top job search experts for their top recommended job search habits and they responded in a big way:

If you're unemployed tell everyone you're looking for a job. You'd be surprised where you find connections.

— Suzanne Lucas (@RealEvilHRLady) October 16, 2018

Get support. It's powerful. People with terminal cancer who attend support groups live, on average, 2 1/2 times longer than those who don't. Hire a coach, or join (or start) a job search support group – or do both. You'll save time, money and feel more motivated.

— Phyllis Mufson (@phyllismufson) October 16, 2018

Always have a current resume, take some time to regularly your LinkedIn profile, and have some references ready, so you can get your applications in right away.

— Alison Doyle (@AlisonDoyle) October 16, 2018

Understand you are marketing yourself. Create compelling #Resume stories and translate to LinkedIn. Be visible on LinkedIn with innovative content. Look for jobs beyond online. Networking is key to success. Personalized relationship networking.

— Julie Walraven (@JulieWalraven) October 16, 2018

#Networking is the No. 1 way people land new gigs. Be specific as to the career you want; provide a benefit-driven statement demonstrating why you're the best choice; name companies where you wish to work. This is how your network can help you best. https://t.co/l2Fs1gD4S9?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

— Wendy Terwelp (@wendyterwelp) October 16, 2018

Job Club Membership is the Top Habit of the Most Successful Job Seekers https://t.co/lORHdTQSMA?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss @phyllismufson @jacobshare

— Donna Svei, Resumes (@AvidCareerist) October 16, 2018

Never be afraid to ask for a meeting or an informational interview. Fear stops most people asking. But you'd be surprised at how many people say yes if you ask in the right way.

— Karalyn Brown (@InterviewIQ) October 17, 2018

Take care of a 'current job' on #LinkedIn, because recruiters are looking for the ones who are doing that profession at this very moment. See tip 6 in my LinkedIn Profile Checklist for jobhunting https://t.co/o6Zj4n5w11?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

— Aaltje Vincent (@aaltjevincent) October 17, 2018

ALWAYS do the two-step before you apply. Find a job then find a connection inside the company! pic.twitter.com/BPDw97YSYI

— Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) October 18, 2018

And one more from James Clear, on what he would tell his younger self about job search habits:

You are young. Life is long. Your interests will change. There are many things right now that you don't know. As a result of all of these things, you should explore broadly early in your career. Don't limit yourself to one job or one industry. Search widely and experiment with a variety of roles and businesses. Once you have an idea of what is out there, you can narrow your focus to the option you enjoyed the most.

Question of the article

What's the worst job search habit you've been able to overcome, and how did you do it? Tell us in the comments

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5 Habits of Effective Job Seekers

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🦅 Why You Must Have Every Resume Proofread