Table of Contents

1. Mistake #1 – Not realizing that the best time to find your next job is while you still have a job
2. Mistake #2 – Believing a company will be loyal to you
3. Mistake #3 – Not keeping an updated resume handy
4. Mistake #4 – Not creating (and updating) Your LinkedIn profile
5. Mistake #5 – Failing to align yourself with an excellent recruiter within your niche
6. Mistake #6 – Failing to stay involved within your industry or professional specialty
7. Mistake #7 – Failing to develop (and keep updated) your personal marketing portfolio
8. Mistake #8 – Failing to ensure that you can be easily found
9. Mistake #9 – Failing to learn how to network properly
10. Mistake #10 – If offered a new position with another company, you entertain any “counter offer” your current employer may offer you

We’ve seen the job market change quickly these past few years, and likely will see some more changes before things calm down. Because of all of the changes we’ve seen, people are changing their way of thinking about careers, employers, and job search in general. 

Although we are not able to control every circumstance, especially when it comes to the global economy, or world-changing events, if you can avoid making any of these mistakes, you’ll always be in a good position with your career path. 

Mistake #1 — Not realizing that the best time to find your next job is while you still have a job

In today’s economic environment, many employed people are overworked, haven’t had a decent pay raise, have not been able to take a vacation, were furloughed or laid off, etc. 

The recent news has been filled with layoffs, mostly concentrated in the tech industry, and the good news is, the hospitality industry has many open opportunities for a new job!

If you’re ready to make a switch, no matter the reason, it’s a great time to look while you are still getting a paycheck and have a job if you don’t find a better opportunity. 

Mistake #2 — Believing that a company will be loyal to you

Unfortunately, while the people you work with may want to help you as much as possible, or look out for you as much as they can, at the end of the day, if the company needs to cut costs, they won’t think twice about letting you go. 

While you’re employed, make sure to give 100% to either build your own portfolio or resume, and build good work habits that you can take into your next role or company, but don’t be afraid to look out for yourself first. 

Keep a lookout for better opportunities, keep your resume updated so that you can apply at any moment, and feel free to take conversations or interviews with connections to learn about new opportunities or new companies. If something better comes along for you, take it. 

Mistake #3 — Not keeping an updated resume handy

As mentioned above, you never know when a great opportunity will present itself. If a recruiter reaches out to you, or a new role opens up that you want to apply for, you won’t have much time to send over your resume. If you haven’t updated it since the last time you were looking for a job, depending on how long ago that was, your resume most likely doesn’t have your latest experience. 

This doesn’t mean you need to look at it every single day, but once a month or so, ask yourself if I wanted to apply to a role tomorrow, would my resume be ready? 

Mistake #4 — Not creating (and updating) your LinkedIn profile

This is a must for any professional. (And, by the way, make sure your LinkedIn profile and resume profile are the same.)

Mistake #5 — Failing to align yourself with an excellent recruiter within your niche

Good recruiters become career coaches and finding one is a lot like finding a good doctor, lawyer, or accountant. 

You may have to work with several before you find one that gels with your needs and personality. Once you do, stay in touch. You don’t use recruiters every day, just as you don’t go to a lawyer every day (at least I hope not!), but develop a relationship with one so that when you do need them, they are there to help you.

This is also a great opportunity to practice your networking skills!

Mistake #6 — Failing to stay involved within your industry or professional specialty

The more contacts you have within your industry or profession, the better. These contacts can literally spell the difference between quickly “landing on your feet” following a job loss or not.

Mistake #7 — Failing to develop (and keep updated) your personal marketing portfolio

Depending on what career path you’re in, this portfolio should contain the “highlights” of your professional accomplishments, e.g., promotions, contributions to current or past employers, reviews or awards received, professional organizations that you’re associated with, or have made contributions to, and so forth.

Mistake #8 — Failing to ensure that you can be easily found

For example, make sure that your personal and professional contact information (home and business telephone numbers, cell phone numbers, and email addresses) is current and constantly monitored.

Mistake #9 — Failing to learn how to network properly

Remember, the time to begin networking is not right after losing a job. It should be an ongoing process—whether or not you are satisfied with your current position.

Mistake #10 — If offered a new position with another company, you entertain any “counter offer” your current employer may offer you

You decided to apply for a new company for a reason, right? So why go back on your decision? 

Your employer couldn’t see your true value until you decided to find something better for yourself, so even if they now want to increase your salary, will they really be able to see your value if you continue to work for them?