There are a number of factors that can make or break your chances of landing a job. Your resume, the interview, and how you follow up with potential employers can positively or negatively affect your job search.

One factor that plays a significant role in your job search is communication. Clear and concise communication is important in all areas of your life, and your job search is no exception. Since communication is such a big factor in landing a job, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what causes communication breakdown in their job search.

What Readers Think
With 35% of the votes, “lack of follow up from the interviewer” was the number one answer to what causes communication breakdown. “Unclear job postings” earned 22% of the vote, followed by “unmotivated workers/interviewers” with 12%.

Other answers included “the job application” with 7% of the votes and “poor leadership” with 5%. “Stress” also earned 5% of the votes, and “lack of planning” received 3%.

Additionally, 10% of respondents selected the “Other” option in our poll and left responses including:

• Poor interviewer planning
• No response to applications
• Online applications, which remove personal communication
• Use of internet to screen applicants

What Leaders Think
Interestingly, in a similar poll on Refresh Leadership, the Express blog for business leaders, the areas of communication breakdown don’t seem to match for employers and job seekers. While “poor leadership” only received 5% of job seekers votes, it was the number one response from business leaders (33%). Likewise, the number one response from job seekers was “lack of follow up” with 35% of the votes, while only 10% of business leaders selected this option.

Since the number one factors causing communication breakdown seem to be very different for job seekers than they are for business leaders, it’s no surprise that there may be a lack of communication in the job search. To help you better your chances of landing a job, take a look at the factors Movin’ On Up readers selected. If lack of follow up from an interviewer is affecting your job search, take the lead and follow up with them yourself. If unclear job postings are holding you back, reach out to the recruiter or hiring manager and ask for clarification. Doing so shows you have a clear interest in the job.

Likewise, take into consideration what business leaders are experiencing. Many business leaders reported that unmotivated workers were a source of communication breakdown, so break the mold by showing motivation and interest in the job. Show up to your interview on time, have an excellent resume ready, and follow up with the interviewer frequently.

How do you plan to use these results to help with your job search? Let us know in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.