10 Mistakes Job-Seekers Make

BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Persistent, double-digit unemployment has spared no industry, and with millions of Americans out-of-work, competition for a paycheck is fierce.

The key to landing a job isn't so much what you do, says career coach Ford Myers, as what not to do.

Myers, author of Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring (John Wiley & Sons, 2009), spoke to TheStreet about 10 common mistakes made by job hunters.

MISTAKE 1: RESPONDING TO ONLINE JOB POSTINGS Myers says online job postings, much like print-based "want ads," may seem a direct conduit to employers, but often have little value.

He doesn't say they should be ignored. Ads in specialty trade publications and on niche websites can offer good leads. In most cases, however, he suggests spending no more than 5% of your time on public job postings.

"During the last five years, I can only think of two clients who ever got a job from an online job posting, whereas I have hundreds who got their jobs through other means. Does it work sometimes? Yes, but very rarely. I just don't believe in it unless you are talking about a job at McDonald's(MCD) flipping burgers."

MISTAKE 2: MAILING UNSOLICITED RESUMES Unsolicited resumes are often discarded or filed away in a drawer and soon forgotten, Myers says.

"It is what I call the 'confetti approach,'" he says. "It is like you are taking your resume, spreading it around the world like confetti and just wondering where or when one of those little pieces will land. It is a desperate measure, and it comes off as one. Is there a chance it might land on just the right person's desk at just the right time? Yes, there is a chance. But that chance is so small it is absurd to even try. It doesn't come across as sophisticated or business savvy to be dropping your resume all over. It is just wasting trees."

MISTAKE 3: LOOKING ONLY FOR JOB OPENINGS The best jobs are rarely announced openings, Myers says, estimating that more than 40% of positions are created for, or tailored to, an impressive applicant.

"Every business has needs, problems and challenges," he says. "If you are smart enough to uncover them and connect your assets, strengths and experiences, then that will lead to a job offer. Why hang out with 500 other job applicants? I'd rather be the only one who is contacting a company with solutions to their problems."