Don't Be a Needy, Clingy Job Seeker

It is tough out there.  National unemployment is lingering in the 9-10% range.  But there are jobs.  At a time like this, a job seeker needs to be more diligent and strategic than ever.  But in this blog I am going to tell you what NOT to do.

I urge you... please don't be a needy, clingy job seeker.

We all have, or had, friends and significant others who are needy and clingy.  People who do less and expect more from you.  People who can't be independent.  People who ooze a huge lack of confidence and self-esteem.  Do we find it attractive in our personal relationships?  No!  And companies don't find it attractive, either.

DON'T do the following...

1) Send follow-up notes to recruiters and contacts asking "if there are any openings yet?" 

2) Copy recruiters on mass emails to your friends and colleagues announcing a recent job loss or an update on your job search.

3) Call a recruiter or hiring manager 2-3 times days after you submitted a resume.

Just ask yourself...  would you take any similar actions in your personal life?  Would you mass email everyone you know if you got dumped?

The fundamentals of the job search have not changed, even in this tough market.  There is increased competition in numbers, but not in quality (and by quality, I mean someone who is taking a very strategic job search approach).