Mistakes are leverage, errors are inevitable, and failure is an experience not a destination.

Focusing on all the bad breaks, lack of call backs from employers, and the amount of time wasted on online job boards, job seekers are easily discouraged. Length of unemployment and rejection destroys hope and faith, if a job seeker allows it.

Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama would say that failure is not an option, but without it, success means very little. A fair definition of failure would include a lack of success, or for this discussion, no attempt.

Mistakes, missteps, or errors made in a lack of judgment are correctable. Perfection is not required for any job, but recognizing and correcting mistakes are part of the unspoken contract with an employer. Job seekers, use faux pas as leverage, not as an excuse.

Job seekers have to get off of their duff and start meeting people, and getting feedback from others as a way to perfect the process. Many job seekers cringe at anticipated feedback, and want to control it. Let me warn everyone, feedback from employers is very unlikely. Ask someone who interviewed you, and watch them run the other direction. Not receiving feedback is a mistake, a job search fatal error.

Feedback team

Job seekers need feedback about their job search from people who will be blunt, honest, and forthright. People like this are tools and essential to your search. Allowing them to scrutinize a job seekers way dressing to the talking in a clear concise way will only benefit you for the long-term. If you are not honest with them, they will disappoint you.

Eye contact, handshakes, and speaking too softly

The worst boss in the world would not hire a job seekers roaming eye. No eye contact can not only disqualify an interviewee’s chances, but assassinate their character as well.  Eyes tell a story, and if a person is carrying around baggage from his or her last job, the eyes will show the last rotten thing a person did to them. A wimpy handshake also sends a message as well, and so does the speaking too softly or loudly. Are you still successful?

What is failure?

Failure is a lack of not doing anything. Failure sets roadblocks in the mind and heart so that the person will not err in this way again. Many job seekers have ignored the signs that read, “Detour”, and make the same mistakes repeatedly. Present yourself as successful, no matter how many times you are late. Just be early next time.

Next week, we can continue discussing why mistakes, failures, and errors are a necessity.

Movies that have made errors, and still made a fortune are a great example of this post. Please enjoy,  Oh, and please look for the Fugitive clip. You’ll see how easy or hard errors can be overlooked.