Job searching is tough, and even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into common traps. Some advice that sounds helpful can actually work against you or damage your credibility with hiring managers or recruiters.

Reputable employers and recruiters, especially in the nonprofit and association sectors, use structured processes to evaluate candidates fairly. Our goal is to help you navigate those processes and get better results overall. Acting respectfully and following the guidelines provided ensures their attention stays on your skills—not on avoidable mistakes.

The “don’ts” below are missteps that many job seekers make (often without realizing it) and what to do instead.

Don’t Apply to Any and Every Position

Applying for every available role won’t increase your chances of landing the right job—it’ll just dilute your efforts and can lead to burnout.

→ What to do instead: Be selective. Target roles where you can work on the problems you solve best and where your skills can make the most impact. Our Guide to Executive Job Search can help clarify your priorities and identify the types of roles where you can thrive.

Don’t Request More General Information Before You Apply

It’s a good idea to contact a recruiter with direct questions or accommodation requests before applying. However, asking general questions about things you can find in the job description or through research wastes their time.

→ What to do instead: Review the job description to identify the required skills and research the organization. If there is enough alignment with your experience and goals, apply. When you are selective about the roles you target, you have more time for pre-application research. Here’s how to quickly research an organization and prioritize your time.

Don’t Reach Out Repeatedly When You Apply

Sending a recruiter or hiring manager an extra email, LinkedIn message, or call to let them know you applied may seem proactive, but it’s unnecessary. (Once you’re working directly with a recruiter, feel free to reach out for support as needed.)

→ What to do instead: Follow the application instructions exactly and leave it at that. Your skills and experience will speak for themselves. If you’re regularly not hearing back, evaluate whether you’re pursuing roles that align with your skills and if your resume conveys the right information. Here are some tips to overcome common roadblocks in your search.

Don’t Stall on Replies

Once you’ve engaged with a recruiter, delays in responding to emails or interview invites can send the wrong message—like you’re uninterested or unreliable.

→ What to do instead: Respond within 24 hours, even if it’s just to acknowledge that you received the message and indicate when you’ll provide more detail.

Don’t Fish for Immediate Feedback

Asking “What are you looking for in a candidate?” during or after an interview can suggest a lack of listening skills. Asking “How did I do?” puts the recruiter or hiring manager on the spot. They need to debrief after interviewing everyone to determine who might be right for the role.

→ What to do instead: Note the skills and experience the interviewer asks about (that’s what they are looking for in a candidate), ask questions that help you learn about the role and organization, and follow up with a thank you note. Need ideas? Here’s how to ask better questions in an interview.

Don’t Overshare or Speak Negatively About a Past Employer

Being authentic is important, but sharing too many personal details or venting about previous employers steps over the line.

→ What to do instead: If you’ve had personal or professional challenges, share lessons learned only if they are relevant to the new role and require explanation. Here’s how to approach topics that can be difficult to talk about in interviews.

Don’t Proclaim Yourself as Best for the Role

Overconfidence can come across as misinformed or arrogant. You don’t know who else is being considered or what “best” means without a full picture of the role, organization, challenges, and team dynamics.

→ What to do instead: Convey your competence, not confidence. Share relevant achievements using the CAR (context, action, results) method and let interviewers draw their own conclusions about your capabilities. For a deeper dive into the CAR method, read this.

Don’t Be Vague About Salary Expectations

Waiting until the offer stage to share salary expectations—or drastically changing your expectations midway—can create unnecessary confusion.

→ What to do instead: Share an accurate salary range early. If your needs change, communicate that promptly and understand that it could affect your candidacy. Here’s when and how to bring up compensation.

Don’t Reply Rudely If You Are Turned Down

We understand the frustration of not being selected, but there are many reasons why a highly qualified candidate may be turned down. Every role has nuances that influence hiring decisions—there’s only one job, and typically, a large number of highly qualified candidates apply.

→ What to do instead: Reply with a short note of thanks for being considered. Recruiters document all interactions, keep your information on file, and often work for multiple clients in a given field or industry. Maintain a respectful tone to keep the door open for future opportunities.

Don’t Neglect Your Digital Footprint

Any potential employer will do some basic online research in addition to a criminal background check. Posts that seem harmless can still affect your professional reputation.

→ What to do instead: Review your public social media to ensure it aligns with your professional image. If in doubt, delete anything that could raise concerns.

Stand Out for the Right Reasons

Your goal is to get noticed for the right reasons and to leave a positive impression. The most successful candidates stand out because their resume aligns with the skills needed for the role, and they can clearly communicate their ability to drive impact. Be strategic about the roles you are applying for and focus on demonstrating the unique value you can bring to an organization.

More Career Tips To Fuel Your Job Search in 2025

  • When “Everything Will Be Okay” Isn’t Enough. Read how one HR leader worked through the grief of losing his position and was able to rebuild and move forward. There’s some good stuff here for anyone navigating a big change.
  • Work Your Job Search Smarter With AI. Learn easy AI prompts to refine your career story and interview materials, plus—and this is key—a framework to get better output while remaining authentic to your voice and career goals.
  • How To Take Your Resume From Good to Great. Hiring managers and recruiters may only scan your resume for 3-5 seconds before moving on to the next. Make it easy for them to see why they’d want to interview you.