3 Mistakes to Avoid During Your Job or Internship Search
Job and internship hunting is undoubtedly stressful. And when anxiety kicks in, it can lead to some…odd behaviors that feel completely reasonable in the moment. Like sending a follow-up email every day for two weeks…and leaving a voicemail “just in case.”
Yeah, that might be a bit much.
Let’s talk about three common job search mistakes you’ll want to avoid—and what to do instead.
#1: Overdoing it on follow-up
It’s easy to get emotionally attached to a job you know you’re perfect for. But excessive follow-up can backfire. While a single, polite follow-up email is perfectly fine (and even encouraged!), daily messages or pinging multiple team members on LinkedIn? Not a good look.
Recruiters receive hundreds of applications. If they don’t reply after one or two follow-ups, take the hint. It’s likely not personal, just bandwidth or misalignment.
Also, real talk: Do you reply to every email in your inbox? Probably not. And they won’t either. If you haven’t heard back, resist the urge to ruminate. Instead:
Reassess your resume—did you tailor it to the job?
Use keywords from the job description?
Showcase measurable outcomes?
If not, start there. Check out my resume guide and template or free resume checklist for help, and brush up on your interview prep skills, too.
#2: Applying for jobs you aren’t qualified for
We get it—you’re eager to get hired. But spraying your resume across every listing is a quick path to burnout (and recruiter frustration). Be honest: Are you genuinely qualified?
Aim to meet at least 80% of the listed qualifications before applying. It shows respect for both your time and theirs, and increases your chances of actually getting a callback.
Instead of “apply to everything,” focus on:
Quality > quantity
Customizing each application
Playing to your strengths and transferable skills
#3: Ignoring job application instructions
You know those “Please send your resume to careers@[company].com” instructions? Yeah, those aren’t optional. Some companies use them as a basic test: Can you follow directions?
If you ignore those instructions and hit the “Easy Apply” button instead, especially if the instructions state otherwise, you may be disqualified immediately. Following directions is an essential workplace skill, and this is often their first clue if you’ve got it.
Happy job or internship hunting. You got this!