You’re likely to search for jobs 11 to 14 times by the time you’re 38, according to the US Department of Labor. That’s a lot of jobs!

Career strategist and author Julie Bauke has worked with thousands of professionals and knows that when it comes to seeking a new job, even smart, accomplished individuals make the same mistakes over and over.

Why? Because the process of successfully finding a job is rarely taught. Instead, job seekers are forced to navigate the choppy waters of a job search through trial and error.

Luckily, Bauke used her personal experience working with clients to pen her book, Stop Peeing On Your Shoes: Avoiding the 7 Mistakes That Screw Up Your Job Search.
 

She shared her advice during a recent career webinar for Bentley University, sponsored by Alumni Career Services.

Read on to learn Bauke’s top tips:

Mistake #1: Jumping Into the Fire Without Your Fireproof Undies

According to Bauke, there are three things every job seeker needs before launching a job search:
 

1. A Search Plan: What are you looking for in a position? Think hard about what you really want. Organizations want to hire people with some level of clarity and self-knowledge. Know what you want and which jobs are a good fit for YOU.
    
2. A Professional Statement: Who are you? What's unique about you? This is your “elevator speech.” Prepare a statement that answers the question: "So, tell me about yourself."
   
   If you need help setting yourself apart, follow this advice on how to build a personal brand.
    
3. A "What's Next?" Statement: Be able to articulate your areas of knowledge, strength and interest for the future. Even if it’s not your dream job, continuing to develop the skills central to your dream job while in your current position will help you transition later down the road.

Mistake #2: Not Knowing Thyself

Know your true strengths, talents and values. Clearly define what you do well, what’s important to you in your career, and your areas of success­—this shows maturity and self-knowledge.

And also know what you don't do well. If you hate working with numbers, it's probably not a good idea to take a job in data management. If you cringe with someone looking over your shoulder, try to avoid a job in a company with a climate of micromanagement. Be honest with yourself.
 

Mistake #3: Not Managing Between Your Ears

The emotional part of searching for a job is no joke. You need to manage your emotions and maintain solid emotional health as you go through the arduous process of finding a job. A candidate who comes across as negative, hopeless or anxious isn’t an ideal candidate to hiring managers.

Read up on how to use your emotions to boost your career.          
 

Mistake #4: Misusing Your Time

Keep yourself together by structuring your week and getting out of the house. Hint: Companies aren't going to knock on your door!

Bauke recommends spending 28-35 hours a week on job searching, so plan your time accordingly. Look for networking events through your local Chamber of Commerce and see what groups, professional chapters, etc. exist in your area. Connect with people in your area through volunteering, which shows you in a positive light and allows you easy conversation with new contacts.
 

Mistake #5: Falling Into The Big Black Hole

There are three ways that candidates are forgotten or (even worse) never found in the first place:
 

1. The Internet: Only 6-9 percent of people get their jobs online, so using the internet as your singular method of job application is probably not a solid bet. Hundreds or thousands of others are applying for the same job and you WILL get lost in the shuffle, no matter how highly qualified you are for the job.
    
2. Recruiters: Recruiters are hired by companies to find the most highly qualified candidate for a job, which is typically not a recent college graduate or someone without a lot of bells and whistles. Use your time to network instead.
    
3. Bad Follow Up: If your relationship with a hiring manager is a single point of contact at an interview, that person will forget about you. Follow up immediately with a thank you—via email AND an actual notecard. After you interview, connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn.

Mistake #6: Ignoring The Power of Networking

About 65-75 percent of employees get a job by virtue of people they know. This means, in all likelihood, you will get your job through someone in your current network. Former bosses, teachers, professors, neighbors, friends’ parents, coaches—categorize your connections by whom you can reach out to most easily.
 

And practice good networking etiquette. Remember that networking is about giving first, taking second. Get more advice on improving your networking efforts.
 

Mistake #7: Overlooking the "Little" Things

What image are you projecting to others? Be aware of how you come across, including things like etiquette and manners. Hiring managers are watching your every move and scrutinizing every detail to determine if you will be a good hire.

Before an interview, be sure your phone is off, you have on appropriate attire and you’ve done your research on the company. Are you at ease making small talk, shaking hands, making eye contact? First impressions matter—fair or unfair.
 

Mistake #8: Casting Your Net Too Widely

Saying things like,“I can do anything!” in an interview signifies desperation and a lack of self-awareness. No one wants to hire someone who's willing to do anything. A good hire is someone who knows what they want and is focused on getting it.
 

Mistake #9: Overlooking the "Gimme" Questions

There are certain questions that always come up during interviews. Make sure you prepare answers for them:
 

• “Tell Me About Yourself”: What do you want people to know about you? This is your opportunity to shine. Practice your response to this question with people who know you and can give you feedback.
   
• “Why Should We Hire You?”: As you go through the interview, listen to your interviewer for cues on what he or she is looking for, and align your strengths with the desired attributes.
   
• “What Are Your Strengths? Tell Me Your Weakness”: To demonstrate your strengths, list two or three things you are known for and give detailed examples. When talking about your weaknesses, pick a weakness that is fixable and demonstrate how you are addressing the issue. For example, “Recently, I’ve been working on my presentation skills. I've been taking a class and now I'm getting more comfortable speaking in front of a group.”
  
  If you want to improve some of those weaknesses, look into professional development courses or even consider going to graduate school to learn some new skills.

Mistake #10: Forgetting that Every Step is an Interview

Every point of contact with a potential employer is an interview of sorts, even emails and phone conversations. So be upbeat, be bright, be prepared.

Incorporate this expert career advice on how to connect with interviewers.

And make sure you take each step seriously. Every company has a different interview process—phone interviews, Skype, panel interviews. At each step, they will evaluate you. You never know how much influence each interviewer has in the process, so take each conversation seriously.


Want more tips from Julie Bauke on how to ace your next interview? Listen to her job search webinar for Bentley—or numerous other free ones from Alumni Career Services.



Ellen Foord is a freelance writer living in New Hampshire. A regular contributor for DIY Network, Ellen has been featured on Apartment Therapy, HGTV Magazine, Yahoo, Verily and more.