Ready to land the job of your dreams in 2012?  Then be aware of the following 8 ways that jobseekers can sabotage their success. 

1. Lack of  clarity regarding your target role and industry.

Before launching your search, take the time to get crystal clear on the functional role and industries you will target in your job search.  Without this critcal step, the search will lack focus and result in a much longer search than necessary.   This is also a step to complete before working on your résumé.

2. Inability to articulate your value.

What are your unique attributes –your skills, strengths, values, and passions?  How are you different or special from other job seekers seeking the same role?  If you aren’t yet able to articulate your personal brand, then do some self assessment before moving forward in the search.

3.  Spending too much time searching job boards.

While the job boards may be one part of a search strategy, using the online boards certainly isn’t the only or most effective way to search for a job.  In fact, less than 5% of those in a job search land their position through an online posting, so time spent on this activity ought to reflect this very low success rate.  On the other hand, since networking leads to a job offer for nearly 80% of job seekers, plan your time spent on this strategy accordingly. 

4. Ineffective networking.

Before you ever contact the first person  for a networking meeting, do the necessary prep work to make  a positive impression and get the most helpful information from your contact.  Create a one page Marketing Plan that includes such things as your value proposition, ideal positions, target companies, recent positions / employers, and education. By sharing a document such as this with your networking contacts, you’ll be much more likely to have a productive meeting and get the information and referrals you’re looking for.  And don’t forget to keep in touch with your network so that you stay “top of mind”–perhaps sending a quick update every 3 weeks or so.

5. Overlooking  the importance of social media  in today’s job search. 

Social media continues to grow in its influence in the job search process.   Embrace the benefits that LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter can bring.  Social networks are a powerful way to connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers and to promote your personal brand online.   Want to learn more?  I’d recommend Joshua Waldman’s excellent book, Job Searching with Social Media for Dummies.

6. Failure to devote enough time to your search

Taking an organized, planned approach to your search, with adequate time devoted to key job search activities, will go a long way towards landing a job more quickly.  If you are unemployed, some would say that job searching should be your new, full-time job.  Another view is offered by Steve Dalton who suggests spending just two hours a day in his new book, The 2-Hour Job Search:  Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster.  I haven’t read it yet — but plan to — and will be sure to post my review. 

7. Lose motivation after lack of results in early stages.

If you persevere in giving your best effort and doing the right things in your search, you will be successful.  At the end of the week, celebrate all that you accomplished rather than just focusing on whether or not you have landed a new job.   

8. Inadequate preparation for interviewing. 

Anticipate the interview questions you might be asked, and then practice your responses out loud.  You don’t want to ”wing it” when it comes to interviewing, so ask your spouse or a friend to help you prepare via a mock interview. Develop 15 – 20 stories to tell in response to the expected behavioral questions that begin with “Tell me about a time when…”    No need to memorize your stories…just the 3-4 points you want to get across that highlight your strengths and are relevant to the positon. 

So in which of these areas will you make adjustments in order to land that coveted position ?