Have you been buried in job descriptions and applications for months now without getting any traction? Beyond frustrating, it doesn’t make any sense.
Perhaps you’ve diligently tailored your resumes, updated your LinkedIn profile, and networked with people at your dream companies. You’re honestly not sure why you haven’t landed a job yet.
It might be time to consider if anyone is sabotaging your job search — unintentionally or not.
Several people could potentially leave a sour taste for recruiters, and it’s time to step back and consider if any of them are causing your lack of success.
Who Might Be Committing Job Search Sabotage
There are many ways that someone can deliberately or unintentionally sabotage your job search. It might even be a stranger with the same name who ranks higher in a Google search.
Uncover what recruiters are hearing and reading about you to understand where you need to do some damage control. Consider all of the following people who might be sabotaging your job search.
1. An Identity Thief
If your personal information is stolen, it could be used to apply for jobs in your name — damaging your reputation in the process and making it difficult to get hired. The best way to protect yourself is to be proactive. Here are some tips:
- Keep your personal information safe. Be careful about who you give it to and how you store it. Don’t give out personally identifiable information on applications before it’s essential (generally in the final steps of the hiring process). For example, you might provide your city, but your resume doesn’t need your street address.
- Check your credit report regularly. This will help you catch any activity that isn’t yours.
- Monitor your online activity. If you see anything that looks suspicious, report it immediately.
- Use a private connection, rather than logging onto public Wi-Fi.
2. A Professional Who Shares Your Name
Have you googled your name recently? If not, it’s time to see what recruiters see when they do a basic search for your name.
If your resume claims you’re a seasoned project manager, but Google points to a freelance writer, recruiters aren’t necessarily going to take the time to figure out why there’s a discrepancy.
But don’t despair! You don’t need to legally change your name. Instead, find a combination of your name that isn’t tied to someone else.
For example, your first name, middle initial, and last name. If that doesn’t lead to someone else’s profile, use that for all of your professional interactions, including your online profiles. Recruiters will be directed to the work that supports your resume.