99 mistakes that job seekers make

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73.  Writing a generic thank you note that does not specifically relate to the job.
74.  Waiting more than a week to send the thank you note.
75.  Not proofreading your note for typos or errors
76.  Misspelling the name of the person you are writing the note to
77.  Forgetting formalities (Dear, Mr. Ms. Dr., etc.) when sending a thank you note.
78.  Figuring that you are a shoo-in for the job and don’t need to send a thank you note this time.
79. Thinking you should negotiate based on what you need. Successful salary negotiation is not based on what you need; it is based on receiving the highest salary that the employer is willing to pay for that position.
80. Basing your negotiations on your last salary. For better or worse, it is not about your last salary.
81.  Not having a sense of your ‘value’ in the current market place. This is important not only in avoiding undervaluing yourself but also overvaluing yourself.
82.  Not having a sense of what the company might be willing to pay. The company might have been willing to pay more but you asked for less.
83.  Using only one or two resources in trying to determine your worth and what the company might be willing to pay. Gather as much market information as you can to make a well executed salary negotiation plan.
84.  Asking about the salary before the interview. If you ask at that point, it appears you are only interested in the money.
85.  Asking about the salary as a question during your interview. It is not the time. You should be using the time to better sell your skills for the job.
86.  Bringing up salary expectations before you receive an offer. You are in the best position to negotiate at the end of the process.
87.  Failing to ask if the company is open to negotiation. We often think when a company gives us an offer that there is no room to negotiate. It is often just an initial proposal and they expect a counter offer.
88.  When told it is acceptable to counter offer, not having a particular range/figure in mind. If you are asking if you should counter offer, you better be ready to do so.
89.  Failing to factor in benefits when considering an offer. Benefits are a huge component of the salary package.
90.  Thinking that ‘health benefits’ means the same thing on every job. How much do you have to pay in and what type of coverage do you (and your family) receive can be a difference of several thousand dollars for you.
91.  Not inquiring if the benefit package is negotiable. More things are negotiable than we expect.
92.  Giving a number for your salary expectations instead of a salary range. A range keeps things more open for both sides.
93.  Asking if you could get paid part of your salary “off the books”. It is unprofessional and not to mention, illegal. A company might even pull an offer if you say something like this. If a company offers something like this to you, run. Yes, even those in the restaurant/retail industry. If they are up to something shady, you don’t want to become a part of it.
94.  Negotiating based on an hourly rate when the salary is for a fulltime position. Asking what the salary rate per hour is makes you sound unprofessional and someone who has only done very entry-level work in the past.
95. Not considering the amount of hours required when weighing a fulltime offer. A job that requires 40 hours but pays $10,000 less might be more appealing than a job that requires 60+ but pays $10,000 more. Consider what works best for you.
96. Failing to apply for work and search for jobs on a consistent basis.
97. Not treating the job search like a fulltime job.
98. Thinking that only things that worked in the past will work again.
99. Listening to too much advice instead of the advice that works.

About the Author: Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Career Coach and the author of The Roaring Job Search Antholgy. To learn more, go to Lavie’s website,  Lion Cub Job Search: www.Lioncubjobsearch.com