4 Things That Will Hurt Your Job Search

When naming obstacles in the job search, job seekers usually cite the lagging economy as a reason for their troubles. While the unemployment rate currently sits at a hardly ideal 7.6 percent, it is not the only thing that can slow down your search for work.

It's hard enough dealing with the tough job market without doing things (sometimes unknowingly) that end up sabotaging your chances of landing a job. Below are four of the most common job search mistakes; make sure to eliminate all of these practices from your process:

• Neglecting to proofread your documents: A careless typo or grammatical mistake in your résumé or cover letter can be enough to disqualify you from a job, especially when there is a lot of competition.
• Getting discouraged: It's easy to get down when you are rejected by potential employers, but don't spend your time wallowing in your misery. Try joining networking groups or other similar activities to stay engaged.
• Using one strategy: The best way to approach the job hunt is from multiple angles. Instead of solely relying on online job boards, try calling or e-mailing nonprofits that are not actively hiring to see if they have any need for your skills.
• Forgetting to network: These days, it's all about who you know. You will have a much better chance of landing a job if you already have a contact at the organization. Make use of LinkedIn and go to career fairs to build up your list of contacts.