There's a ton of advice telling you what you should do when you're job hunting, but there are also some things you shouldn't do. Making common mistakes while you're job searching can hurt your chances of landing your dream job.

If you're not careful, job search mistakes can also impact your standing with your current employer. You don't want to lose your job because your company catches you job hunting, and yes, in many cases, you can be fired for job searching.

Here's how to conduct your job search safely, thoroughly, and effectively so you don't jeopardize the job you already have.

17 Things Not To Do When You're Job Searching

1. Tell your co-workers that you are in job-hunting mode. If you're employed, keep your job search quiet. Even trusted colleagues could inadvertently slip and share the news. Word could get back to supervisors and cause them to question your commitment to your current position. Don't share too much information on LinkedIn, either. Be careful — don’t give your current employer an excuse to let you go.

2. Use your work computer to create documents, search for job listings, or conduct networking outreach. Contrary to what many workers might think, there is no guarantee of privacy when you use company equipment. Many employers monitor communications and will be upset (or worse) if you spend work time or resources on your search.

3. Make changes to your LinkedIn profile without deactivating the activity broadcast. Changes in your profile can alert contacts in your company that you are anticipating a job change. You don't need to advertise that you're revamping your profile because you're thinking about a new job. Here's how to change notifications that your network receives from you.

4. Have an unprofessional email address or voicemail message. Keep all your communications polished and professional. Be sure that your email address is appropriate and your voicemail message is as well. If your email address isn't what an employer might expect to see, you can set up a separate account to use for your job hunt.

5. Forget limiting public access to your social media, particularly if the sites contain posts that recruiters might consider unprofessional. If you have a personal website, make sure you wouldn't mind having employers view it. Hiring managers don't need to know what you're doing on your own time.

6. Rely solely on job listings to generate leads. You’ll most likely need more than just listings from a job board to get hired. Networking has been proven to be the most effective job search method. However, use caution when networking; you don't want word to get back to your employer that you are actively job searching until you are ready. Be strategic and careful in your outreach if you're employed.

7. Reduce your activity with professional organizations because you are busy with your search. Maintaining a high profile with contacts in your field is one of the best ways to network. Continue to attend seminars and conferences. Present or participate in panels and help to organize programs whenever possible. That exposure and those connections can help build your expertise and your personal brand.

8. Stop at the obvious contacts when networking. Sure, you will want to contact your best friend who works in your industry. However, your cousin who works in an unrelated field might have a close friend who could be of tremendous help to you. You never know who could be the person who'll help you secure your next job.

9. Submit application materials with spelling or grammatical errors. A typo or error in your resume or cover letter can be a quick way to get knocked out of consideration for a job. Spellcheck and carefully proofread all your documents, or employers may conclude that you are not attentive to detail. Grammarly and AI (Gemini or ChatGPT, for example) are good tools to use to check documents and make sure they are perfect.

10. Use generic application materials. Don’t send the same cover letter and resume to every employer. Target your cover letter and resume to the job you're applying for to make the best case for your candidacy. Demonstrate your strong interest in the opportunity by taking the time to tailor your documents. In this competitive job market, it's important to show employers how you can add value to their organization.

11. View only the first couple of pages of job listings. Dig deeper, and you can find some gems. Also, don’t forget to set up job alerts to notify you when new positions are listed. When you set up these job alerts, be specific so you get listings that match your credentials and what you're looking for in your next role.

12. Use only a job board. If you're a college grad, contact your alma mater's career office, alumni office, and professional organizations in your field. They may be able to assist with job listings and networking contacts. Go directly to the websites of employers of interest and access job listings there. Applying directly is one of the best ways to avoid scams.

13. Take an unusual amount of time off, especially without providing advance notice. Your attendance pattern can send a signal to your employer that something is up. Try creatively blocking out your calendar so the time away won't be noticed, schedule interviews during lunch or after work, and give advance notice whenever possible.

14. Show up for an interview late. Employers want responsible and punctual employees. Plan your travel carefully for in-person interviews and leave extra time for unanticipated delays. When interviewing remotely, be sure all your technology is in working order and ready to go. Be online a couple of minutes early so you know you’re set.

15. Neglect to send a follow-up communication as soon as possible after your interview. You can send the wrong signal if you delay or miss the opportunity to follow up before a decision has been made about your candidacy. Here's when and how to send an interview thank-you email, with examples.

16. Forget to check if you have any contacts at the company. Having an internal advocate can help you gain visibility with an employer and ensure that you are given careful consideration as an applicant. Check your LinkedIn connections to see who you know at the company. They may be able to assist.

17. Rush to assemble a roster of references at the last minute. Take the time to select your references carefully and evaluate their willingness to vouch for your credentials. Have a list of references ready to share with prospective employers, let your references know when they can expect to be contacted, and don't forget to thank them for recommending you.

New & Noteworthy

LinkedIn AI Job Search: LinkedIn has a new feature (it's in beta now and is being rolled out to Premium members) that will change how you search for jobs on the platform. Instead of using filters to search postings, you'll specify what you're looking for. For example, the type of job, the skills you use, or where you want to work.

Monster State of the Graduate Report: Monster’s 2025 graduate survey reports that 83% of job-seeking graduates are optimistic they’ll land a role shortly after graduation, 62% said salary is the most important factor when evaluating job offers, and 54% would reject a job without opportunities to advance.

Layoffs, Layoffs, and More Layoffs: As the economy continues to falter, layoffs are on the rise. Intel is planning employment cuts after a first-quarter loss of $821 million. UPS is laying off 20,000 workers, and 22,000 tech layoffs have been reported so far this year.

Our Favorite Tools & Tips

Free Online Career Quizzes: When you’re unsure what you want to do for your next job or you’re thinking about a career change, a career quiz can help you find options to explore. These free career tests are a terrific way to learn about jobs you may have yet to consider.

Grammarly: One of the easiest ways to knock yourself out of contention for a job is to have a typo or grammatical error in your resume or cover letter. Grammarly’s Free Grammar Checker reviews your text for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation issues and suggests edits.

Resources for Federal Workers: We've updated our list of resources for federal workers who have lost their jobs or are concerned about losing them. You'll find information on applying for unemployment, career transition assistance, career coaching, resume guidance, job listings, and job-searching tips for returning to the civilian workforce.

Our Partners

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