If you’ve been on the job hunt for months or even years with average or below-average results, you may have begun wondering if you’re doing something wrong.  One of the drawbacks of doing a job search without a supportive team or buddy is that you can seriously suffer from what you don’t know. And if you’ve just been dumped onto the job market after years of steady employment, you may not know a lot of things about a job market which has changed tremendously in just the last five years.  Below are a few tips about how you can get constructive feedback on your job search strategy and techniques and avoid unconscious incompetence:

1. Find a team of official and not so official mentors.  Today’s job search requires competence in not only resume and cover letter creation; but in the ability to leverage social media and perform well in face-to-face interactions. It’s important that you identify individuals who are experts in each area of the job search process.
2. If you know you’re not good at something, hire an expert, it’s worth the investment.  If you’re not good at creating resumes, it’s better to spend a little money to hire a professional than to miss opportunities. 
3. Tweak your interview style. If you’re finding that you can get a first interview; but never make it to the second round, consider getting a job coach who can critique your interview style.  If you can’t afford a coach, reach out to peers who you know interview well.  They can conduct a mock interview with you and let you know where you’re making mistakes.