Job hunting blunders that could ruin your chances
Job hunt illustration
Every month for nearly a year, Mercy Wairegi has woken up to the same routine, checking her phone, refreshing her email, and hoping for a response that rarely comes.
Despite having a university degree and professional experience, employment has remained out of reach.
“There are days I feel hopeful, and others when I feel completely invisible. I keep applying, but I don’t always know what I am doing wrong,” Mercy says.
Mercy has been left to work at her parents’ grocery store in Naivasha to make an income and make the ends meet.
Her story mirrors that of many job seekers quietly navigating long periods of unemployment, often without guidance or clarity.
According to career coach Eunice Victoria, this lack of direction is one of the most common and costly mistakes people make while job hunting.
“Most job seekers don’t have a strategy. They apply everywhere, rewrite CVs randomly, and hope something will work. But hope is not a strategy” Victoria says.
Victoria explains that effective job hunting begins with self-assessment, identifying the type of organization one wants to work for, the required skills, preferred work environment, and realistic salary expectations.
“You must know where you’re going before you start moving,” she says.
For Mercy, the months of rejection took an emotional toll, slowly chipping away at her confidence. “You start doubting yourself. You wonder if your skills still matter,” she admits.
Victoria notes that such seasons, while painful, can also be transformative. She encourages job seekers to use periods of unemployment to close skill gaps, gain exposure through short projects or volunteer work, and build visibility online.
“Positioning yourself through a strong CV, LinkedIn profile and portfolio is critical,” she says.
She also emphasizes that career growth takes time and intention. “You cannot wake up one day and decide to apply for jobs without a plan. You are the driver of your career. A coach can guide you, but they cannot do the work for you.”
As unemployment continues to affect many professionals, Mercy’s story serves as a reminder that behind every CV is a human being hopeful, anxious and searching not just for work, but for direction.