Mistake #4: Not Preparing for Behavioral Questions
"Tell me about a time when..." questions are predictable. Not preparing for them is leaving points on the table.
Why it fails: The STAR method exists for a reason. People who ramble through behavioral answers waste interview time on structure instead of content.
The fix: Prepare 5-7 stories from your experience using:
- Situation: Set the scene
- Task: What you needed to accomplish
- Action: What you specifically did (focus on YOU)
- Result: What happened, ideally quantified
Mistake #5: Not Negotiating
Most people accept the first offer. Most people leave money on the table.
Why it fails: The first offer is almost never the best one. Companies build in negotiation room.
The fix:
- Get all offers in writing before responding
- Know your worth (use Glassdoor, Payscale, levels.fyi)
- Respond with a counter even if you're planning to accept
- Never say "I accept" immediately, even if you love the offer
Your Job Search Should Have a System
Most people approach job searching like sending applications into a void. The people who get results treat it like a process.
Track every application. Follow up on every application. Analyze what's working. Adjust.
I created a Job Application Tracker spreadsheet that handles the tracking part. It's designed for exactly this — up to 100 applications, automatic stats, color-coded status.
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