Job search habits valued by employers

Posted on 7 October 2026 • Career planning

Maintaining professional communication throughout your job search can make a lasting impression. Whether you’re refining your CV, preparing for interviews or considering a job offer, the tools and resources provided by OU Careers and Employability Services can help you stay organised, make informed decisions and avoid the pitfalls of ‘professional ghosting’ * (Newkey-Burden, 2025). Access to OU careers support starts with your first module and for three years after your last, at no extra charge. 

Habit 1: Find opportunities that match your skills and goals

Employers value candidates who have clear career goals and take a focused approach to their job search. Before you start applying, try our 3-minute careers check-in  to clarify your strengths, interests and motivations and use the Labour Market Information (LMI) help centre page to find employers and opportunities that align with your skills, interests and career goals.  

Habit 2: Tailor your application to the role

Presenting your skills when applying for jobs is crucial to your success. Employers value applicants who demonstrate genuine interest in the role. Tailoring your CV, application form and cover letter shows you’ve researched the opportunity and understand how your skills match the employer’s needs.  

Habit 3: Prepare for interviews with FutureYou

Watch Using FutureYOU effectively to learn how to use FutureYOU, the OU’s personal development and careers tool, to find examples from your OU studies quickly and effectively to prepare for interviews. Preparation is one of the clearest signs of professionalism. Employers value candidates who can provide relevant examples, demonstrate self-awareness and explain the skills they have developed through study, work and life experience.  

Habit 4: Accept a job offer professionally

Receiving a job offer is exciting, but how you respond can shape your professional reputation. View our What to do after: Job interviews help centre page to read more about what to do once you have had an interview.  

Habit 5: Withdraw from a job offer professionally

If you decide not to take up a role after accepting it, inform the employer as soon as possible. While it may feel uncomfortable, a polite email or phone call is far better than disappearing or failing to attend on your first day (known as ‘career catfishing’**). If you’re unsure how to proceed, book a careers appointment to discuss your options with an OU Careers and Employability adviser.  

 By taking a professional and proactive approach throughout your job search, you can build a positive reputation with employers and increase your chances of securing the right opportunity. We wish you the best of luck.

OU Careers and Employability Services

References

• Newkey-Burden, C. (2025) ‘What is “career catfishing” and why are Gen Z doing it?’, The Week UK. Available at: https://theweek.com/business/career-catfishing-gen-z (Accessed: 1 October 2026). 

* ‘Professional ghosting’ is when companies put applicants through “multiple interviews”, sometimes even making job offers, before “abruptly ending all communication”. (Chas Newkey-Burden, 2026) 

** ‘Career catfishing’ is when you apply for a job, you land a job, accept the offer and then disappear before your first day. (RTE in Chas Newkey-Burden, 2026) 

 

Annabel Bennett is a Development Coordinator in the OU’s Careers and Employability Services. She supports careers-related activity both within the Service and across the University, helping students to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Explore the rest of our blog for more articles from your careers team.