Three Mistakes You Don’t Realise You’re Making in Your Job Search
Sometimes it’s not the big, obvious errors that hold us back—it’s the small things we don’t even notice.
Here are three I see often when speaking with candidates:
🙅♂️1. Talking too much about responsibilities, not results.
Most people explain what they do in their role, but forget to share the impact they’ve made.
Make sure you also show this in your resume.
If you’re a broker, for example—talk about how much you’ve settled, the percentage split between PAYG and self-employed clients, what types of structures you’ve handled (company, trust, etc.), and the split between commercial and residential deals.
Numbers sell.
If you don’t share them, it can come across as if you’re not performing.
If you are performing—make sure you emphasize it and sell yourself well.
🙅♂️ 2. Only applying through job ads—and not following up properly.
Applying is just the first step. It’s essential to follow up, but how you do it matters.
Don’t send a generic “just checking in” message.
Instead, personalize your approach: mention something specific from the job ad, show you’ve researched the company, or reference a career milestone or achievement of the person you’re reaching out to.
This shows you’re genuinely interested and helps you stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.
🙅♂️ 3. Not presenting yourself in the best way.
Especially in virtual interviews, many candidates make the mistake of dressing too casually or showing up in a way that doesn’t reflect their professionalism.
Think of it as meeting a client—that’s how employers might perceive you.
Always dress to impress.
It’s far better to be slightly overdressed and well-prepared than to risk looking underprepared.
👉 What advice would you give to someone currently going through the job search process?
