The dreaded job search. Many will agree that looking for a job is a job in itself, however there are ways to make the process easier. Making mistakes while conducting a job search in the apartment industry can ruin your chances of finding the position you are looking for. Below we have listed out seven common, yet avoidable, missteps job searchers often make.
#1 Lack of Focus
Unless you are a rocket scientist, or something else hyper-focused, you may know that you are qualified for a diverse range of job openings. A marketing guru could be an effective administrative assistant or a rock-star leasing specialist in the apartment industry. However, when conducting a job search, it is vital to pick a specific position you are searching for. Spreading yourself, and your resume, too thin will result in you getting lost in the crowd of fellow job searchers.
#2 Poor Resume
Many job hunters know the resume is the foundation of their efforts in landing their next position. Sadly, the resume can also be the first roadblock standing in their way to getting the job they want. The savvy job searcher tailors their resume to EACH job they are applying for, such as a leasing specialist or property manager, and makes sure there are absolutely no typos or inconsistencies in job history.
#3 Knowing the Numbers Game
You could have all your “career” ducks in a row and still hit a wall when looking for your next job if you are only applying for a handful of positions a week. The sheer number of people out there looking for employment is staggering. Keep this in mind when you are conducting your search to not get discouraged if you don’t get responses as often as you send in your resume. Keep applying to as many relevant jobs as you can find and be consistent about it.
#4 Having a Clear Vision
Just like most things in life, you need a plan when conducting a job search. Before you begin your quest for the perfect position, take out a sheet of paper and write down what your ideal property management company’s culture is like. Where are they located? How many residents do they have? What do you wear to work? Any detail you can think of will be helpful. Using this “dream company” as your guide will help you greatly when you are applying for hundreds of open positions over the length of your job search. Keep your vision for yourself clear and it will lead you straight to your desired job.
#5 Lazy Networking
The effective and successful job searcher is an outstanding networker. You should be attending networking events, such as your local apartment association, on the regular when you are in the job search trenches. Linked In and career specific online communities are also great for keeping your ear to the ground for opportunities. The best positions are often not posted on websites and Craig’s List. Make sure you are exposed to as many channels as possible to find your envisioned job.
#6 Knowing Your Worth
Surprisingly, many job searchers do not take the time to research what the average salary and benefits packages are for their desired position before embarking on a job search. Many bad jobs will post a salary way below the average, which is a big red flag when you are considering putting time and effort into applying. You can visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm) to see what the national average is. Also research what your local average is too.
#7 Job Hunting Alone
If you wanted to remodel your house, you would probably hire a contractor to help. The same goes for the job search. There are professional apartment industry recruiting companies out there that make it their business to help job searchers find the best positions out there. Many large management companies hire these staffing firms to pre-screen candidates for their human resource departments.
The job search doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. Make sure you are as organized in your search as you would be in the job you hope to find! Happy hunting!
