5 Biggest Mistakes Jobseekers Are Making Right Now
If you’re applying for jobs right now and not getting anywhere, you’re not alone.
The market is tough. But a lot of people are also making the same mistakes — and these mistakes are killing their chances of landing interviews.
I’ve been in recruitment for almost two decades, and trust me — I’ve seen these patterns play out over and over again.
The good news? Most of them are easy to fix — once you know what to do.
I’ve just put together a brand new video on this:
But if you prefer to read — here’s the quick breakdown below.
1️⃣ Applying for too many jobs
This is mistake number one — and it’s an easy trap to fall into.
When people are desperate or worried about money, they start spraying out their CV to every job they can find.
The problem is, when you apply for that many jobs, you stop tailoring your CV. You start sending out the same version again and again. And recruiters can spot that a mile off.
👉 Fix it: Be more targeted. Apply for fewer jobs — but put more effort into each one. Tailor your CV and cover letter so they speak directly to that role.
2️⃣ Worrying too much about “beating the ATS”
I see this all the time on LinkedIn and TikTok — people obsessed with trying to “beat the ATS” with keyword stuffing or magic templates.
Here’s the reality:
An ATS is just a big digital filing cabinet. It stores your CV and makes it searchable — it doesn’t reject you automatically. A recruiter or hiring manager makes the final decision.
👉 Fix it: Stop trying to game the system. Write a clean, clear CV that is easy to skim-read and highlights your key achievements. That’s what gets you interviews.
3️⃣ Not making enough noise on LinkedIn
If you’re serious about finding a new job, you need to be visible on LinkedIn.
And no — that doesn’t mean spamming job groups or posting “Open to work, please help” posts.
It means:
✅ Updating your profile
✅ Using an Open to Work banner
✅ Engaging with content in your industry
✅ Connecting with recruiters and hiring managers
Opportunities often come from your network — not from job boards.
👉 Fix it: Show up. Start making some noise on LinkedIn a few times a week. Be visible and proactive.
4️⃣ Writing a CV that’s just a list of responsibilities
This is one of the most common mistakes I see when I review CVs.
Most CVs just list out day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. But that’s not what recruiters care about.
They want to know: What did you achieve? What impact did you have?
👉 Fix it: For each role, write a short paragraph about what you did — and then bullet out your key achievements. Where possible, include numbers:
Increased revenue by 25%
Reduced time to hire by 30%
Improved customer satisfaction by 15 points
Achievements get you interviews — not generic task lists.
5️⃣ Treating interviews like a one-way street
Too many jobseekers go into interviews thinking it’s all about impressing the company.
But remember — you’re interviewing them too.
Your future boss will have a huge impact on your career. You need to figure out whether they’re the right person to work for.
👉 Fix it: Research your interviewer beforehand. Look them up on LinkedIn. Then ask smart questions in the interview to assess them, such as:
How will you measure success in this role?
What are the biggest challenges the team is facing?
What’s your management style?
You’ll come across as more confident — and you’ll avoid taking a job that’s not the right fit.
Summary
If you’re making any of these mistakes — don’t beat yourself up. Most people do.
The key is to spot them, fix them, and give yourself the best chance of landing interviews.
✅ Be more targeted in your applications
✅ Stop worrying about the ATS
✅ Get visible on LinkedIn
✅ Write a CV that highlights achievements
✅ Treat interviews as a two-way street
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