The 7 Deadly Job Hunt Sins
Make sure you remember that you are not the only candidate in the market, regardless of how shallow the talent pool seems, and your actions today could affect your job hunt in the future. A recruiter will do all in their power to work with you, however, if you constantly show your lack of interest in working with them, they may move their efforts to another candidate.
Working with an industry recruiter is one of the best weapons you can have in your job search arsenal, and believe it or not, the best in the industry do not work with everyone, only the ones they know their clients will want to meet (aka the top talent in the industry). Working with one of the best industry recruiters allows you to often get free interview advice and have the ideal middleman who can negotiate not only the best salary for you but can offer you insight into future team leaders and teams that you would not get when applying directly to a company. And even better, they can open doors to roles that have never been advertised!
If you have the opportunity work with an industry recruiter, remember the relationship needs to be equal. Sometimes a candidate can unintentionally damage their relationship with their recruiter by unintentionally performing of one or more of the 7 deadly job hunt sins.
Embellishing or Lying 
Embellishing on a resume will not go down well, especially when an industry recruiter can figure it out with just a few questions. This can weaken not only your personal brand but the trust the recruiter has in your integrity and ability to do the job for their clients.
Not showing up 
Being invited in for an interview with a recruiter and not showing up or contacting to reschedule is a red flag. It conveys you are either incapable of sticking to a schedule or worse, sees the recruiters time as insignificant. Either way, this communicates to the recruiter you are not interested or serious about looking for a new role.
Not returning calls and emails 
Your time is valuable, and so is a recruiter. If you do not return recruiters call or email, they could view you as unreliable, or not interested. If you are busy but still keen to find a role, or learn more about one you have applied for, be polite and send a quick message letting them know you will contact them the next day.
Going behind the recruiters back 
When a recruiter discusses a role with you and mentions company names, regardless of if you give permission to send your resume over to the company, it is not a good idea to go behind the recruiters back and apply directly. This will not guarantee you an interview, or even the job.
If you are interviewed most likely, the recruiter will find out and let the client know that you went behind their back. Not only will the recruiter not work with you again, but the most common outcome is either will that client.
Cancelling interviews with a client at the last minute 
There are times when you are stuck on site or have a child sick and are unable to attend an interview. However, make sure you give ample notice (at least 2 hours). Let the recruiter know with plenty of time because there could be a chance they are unable to get in contact with the client on the first try.
Changing the goal posts 
Don’t get greedy, you think the job offer is going to come through, the role seems perfect, and you believe you can smell the desperation in the air, the company wants you. So you up your price and working conditions. Big mistake. The client would have already been informed of the dollars you initially discussed with the recruiter, but the client will also have 2 other candidates lined up in case you reject the offer.
False References
Don’t bother putting down your best friend or your aunty as your referee. A mobile number will not suffice. Recruiters are smart; they have been doing reference checks for long enough to sniff out a false referee a mile away. Not only that, they might phone the employer the referee was representing and ask HR if the name and mobile number are correct.
A recruiter is there to help you, so make sure you help them by staying open, honest and focused. If you need to cancel a meeting make you you are respectful and give as much notice as you can, and if in doubt, let the recruiter know if you "might" be late.