Is Overconfidence Hurting Your Job Search

Is Overconfidence Hurting Your Job SearchIs Overconfidence Hurting Your Job SearchYoure in the middle of yet aleidher job interview. Your answers are on point and your superior skillswellthey speak for themselves. Yet, you cant seem to land a job. The problem may not be your lack of work experience- it might be your overconfidence hurting your job search.A recent study from the Career Advisory Board found that there is a seeming disconnect between what job seekers think they are bringing to the table and what hiring managers are finding. The Job Preparedness Indicator (JPI) discovered that job seekers tend to be overly confident- to the point of their own detriment- when they are interviewing for a job.How overconfidence is hurting your job searchFor example, 72 percent of job seekers believe that they are confident enough to know how to showcase their skills and previous work experience to a hiring manager. Another 56 percent of those looking for a job are also confident that they k now exactly what employers are looking for in todays top talent. However, only a mere 15 percent of prospective bosses say that nearly all job seekers have the skills that their companies are looking for.It seems that previous work experience coupled with industry knowledge is what job seekers believe will get them through the job interviewing process and land them a job. The reality is quite the opposite. According to the study, 74 percent of hiring managers claim that job seekers should have some sort of career counselor (in the form of a career mentor) to help them match their skills and experience with a position that they not only want, but will be a legitimate fit for them.Sadly, many job seekers are relying solely on their previous work experience to guide them as they fill out job applications and write a great cover letter that is sure to get noticed. In fact, the number of job seekers who prefer to go it on their own (instead of seeking out advice from seasoned professiona ls) has grown from 58 percent in 2012 to 67 percent in 2013.What should savvy job hunters who are looking for work do?Seeking out the advice and experience of a career mentor is a great place to start. Not only can a mentor guide in you in your overall career, but he or she can help you through todays tough job interviewing process, assess your interview style, and provide the necessary tweaks to get you the job you deserve.It may seem like an unnecessary waste of time- and money- to find a mentor, but investing in a person who can help you find a lucrative career will be an investment well worth it.Readers, what do you think of this new study? Have you invested in a career mentor to help you find a job? Let us know in the comments section below