Mistakes job seekers should avoid

You have already set resolutions. For the unemployed, the ultimate goal is to get a job and for those already in employment you are eyeing to move into a new job or a new position.
However, how you set out to achieve this is an important aspect that you must put at the back of your mind.
According to Lucy Asiimwe, a human resource officer at Public Service, many job seekers miss out on opportunities because of simple mistakes that can be avoided. “There is a high level of unemployment in Uganda, however, a big percentage of young graduates have better skills but are unaware of a number of mistakes that they make which obstruct their chances of clinching a job,” she says.
In her opinion, brilliant people are beaten in job interviews by fairly good or average competitors just because they commit mistakes that make interviewers have a negative opinion of them.
But what are some of these mistakes that you need to avoid?

Inappropriate dressing
According to Connie Musisi, the head of careers at Uganda Christian University, first impression matters and plays a big role in a job interview.
“No matter how good your degree might be, the way you present yourself matters a lot. Don’t expect yourself to get hired when you appear shabby yet you are competing with smartly dressed people,” she says.
It is common, she says, for girls to show up in skimpy dresses while boys dress in sagging pants which creates a negative impression about them.

Avoid being nervous
“If there is anything that interviewers look out for it is confidence and character. How do you handle challenges? If you are not able to control your nervousness, then try as much as possible to practice with a colleague prior to the interview,” says Asiimwe.
Therefore, she advises job seekers to keep it calm because there is no employer who would wish to hire somebody who appears unsure of themselves

Avoid being bleak
According to Musisi, even if you desperately want to be hired do not show that you are really needy person.
“Be steady and only concentrate on showing how good you as well as how you will handle challenges if you are hired,” she says.

Observe time
Gerald Kankya, an executive director of Twerenaho, an NGO in Fort Portal says you don’t have to appear so early and so late for the interview.
Whereas you would not want to take chances, he says, “don’t appear too early. Arriving three hours to the interview might be an inconvenience”.

Leave it to being strictly business
“If you are given the chance of explaining more about yourself, be thoughtful about the reasons why you want to work at that company,” says Musisi, noting that it is important that you talk about things that are important but were not included in your CV.

Do not ask for favours
According to Kankya, people who ask for job favours look so unprofessional and unethical.
“However, much networking is the foundation for a successful job hunt, it should come from an inspired point of view and focused. Otherwise asking for favours is plain unprofessional,” he says.

Do not undersell yourself
You need to make a good impression and show that the company will benefit from hiring you.
According to Asiimwe, most job seekers allow interviewers to control them, which might appear like low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
“Your main focus should be showing that you are the best,” she says.
She advises job seekers to learn how to talk about their impressive gifts from the individual and the team player perspectives.

Competition factor
Beating competition. While looking for a job or seeking to move on from your current job, you should be aware of the competition outside there. So set out to be better than them. Do not take anything for granted.

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