During the summer of 2020, the job market felt like a moving target. Roles were disappearing overnight. Hiring processes were paused mid-interview. Entire industries froze.

And like a lot of people, I was searching under intense stress, uncertainty, and pressure.

What surprised me most? The biggest mistakes people made back then are still happening today — even in a stronger job market.

Here are five common traps to avoid — straight from my own experience and what I watched colleagues do in real time.

✅ Mistake #1: Over-Preparing Instead of Applying and Reaching Out

This one is sneaky because it feels productive.

You spend hours rewriting your resume.
You redo your portfolio again.
You try to perfect your LinkedIn headline.
You research every company until you feel “ready.”

But here’s the thing:

Preparation without outreach becomes paralysis.

Nothing changes until you’re actually:

• applying consistently

• contacting hiring managers

• networking into roles

• getting your name into conversations

Momentum beats perfection. Every time.

✅ Fix it:
Set a rule like: “For every hour I prepare, I spend two hours applying or reaching out.”
Preparation is important — but outreach is what creates opportunity.

✅ Mistake #2: Waiting for the “Perfect” Job Before You Interview

I used to tell myself:

“I’ll apply once the right thing shows up.”

But I learned something critical:

You learn the job search by doing it.

And honestly? Some of the best learning comes from interviewing for roles that aren’t perfect:

• You get stronger at telling your story

• You understand what companies want

• You discover how to answer tough questions

• You learn your own preferences

• You build confidence before it matters most

Would you rather make your mistakes on the role you want the most?

No. Absolutely not.

✅ Fix it:
Treat interviews as practice reps — not final exams.
Every interview makes you sharper.

✅ Mistake #3: Relying Only on Your Resume Instead of Your Impact Stories

Resumes are necessary… but they aren’t persuasive.

A resume lists tasks.
A story shows transformation.

And humans don’t connect with bullet points — they connect with stories.

We’ve been obsessed with storytelling since cave paintings.
That’s how we remember. That’s how we trust. That’s how we believe.

Instead of saying:

• “Managed a project”
  Try saying:

• “I led a cross-functional launch that cut delivery time by 30% and improved customer retention.”

✅ Fix it:

Build 3–5 “impact stories” using a simple framework:

Challenge → Action → Result → Learning

Then reuse them everywhere:

• interviews

• networking chats

• LinkedIn posts

• cover letters

• even casual conversations

Your resume gets you considered.

Your stories get you hired.

✅ Mistake #4: Staying Invisible on LinkedIn

This one still blows my mind.

Back in 2020 I saw people posting:

• what they cooked that day

• gardening tips (yes, literally)

• complaints about interviews

• random memes

And then… others posted nothing at all.

Meanwhile, I posted regularly — not perfectly, not constantly — just consistently.

And two jobs found me directly because of my content.

The truth is:

If you’re not visible, you’re harder to remember.

Recruiters and hiring managers are scrolling.
Your future colleagues are scrolling.
Your network is watching, even quietly.

✅ Fix it:

Post 2–3 times per week. Keep it simple:

• a lesson you learned

• a career tip

• a win or insight from your work

• a small reflection on your job search

• a “here’s what I’m looking for” post

Your goal isn’t to go viral.

Your goal is to stay present.

✅ Mistake #5: Speaking Negatively About a Former Employer

Okay… I’ll own this one.

I was hurt. I was stressed. It was a brutal time.
And I didn’t even realize I was being negative — but apparently something came out.

And it cost me an opportunity.

Even if your last job experience was genuinely awful (and sometimes it is), speaking poorly about it sends signals that employers are trained to notice:

• “Will they speak about us like that one day?”

• “Are they self-aware?”

• “Can they stay professional under pressure?”

This doesn’t mean you have to pretend everything was wonderful.

It means you must speak with maturity and control.

✅ Fix it:

Use a neutral script:

• “It wasn’t the right fit for my long-term goals.”

• “I learned a lot, but I’m ready for a different environment.”

• “I’m looking for a role with stronger alignment and growth.”

You can still tell the truth — just don’t bleed in the interview.

Final Thought

If you're job searching right now, please hear this:

✅ You don’t need to be perfect.

✅ You need to be active.

✅ You need to be visible.

✅ You need to be consistent.

✅ You need to keep learning through action.

The job search is less like “being chosen”… and more like building momentum until the right opportunity can’t ignore you.

Brian Howard - Job Seeker Pro