Searching for a job is overwhelming; search, type, read and print are some of the simple things to do. However, it’s important to remember that every encounter you have with an employer when you’re looking for work, including sending your application documents, attending interviews, and exchanging phone calls, emails, and social media posts, is a chance for them to assess you. Unfortunately, we overlook some things; below are the five common mistakes we miss when preparing for a job application.
Using the same resume
- While it is possible to apply for many jobs using the same resume, it is better to ensure that your resume accurately reflects the duties of each position you are looking for. Therefore, modifying your resume to correspond precisely to the job you’re applying for is essential. In addition, it is recommendable to use different resume templates(available on resume builder sites) for each job you are applying for.
Forgetting to research the company.
- Here’s one of the easiest ways to appear unprepared. It’s unprofessional and lazy. From their point of view, how can you tell whether you’re genuinely interested in joining their team if you can’t manage to do a little research about their company before the interview? And how can they rely on you to be ready and do your assignment on schedule?
Messy Resume
- Always ensure that the talents you emphasize, the keywords you include in your resume, and other job application materials are relevant to the position you’re looking for. The hiring manager won’t be able to see where your talents and expertise directly relate to the job responsibilities if your materials are too broad and vague. Additionally, your materials won’t likely go past this initial round if the company employs an “Applicant Tracking System,” as many use it to sort through first-round resume screenings because your keywords won’t match the responsibilities or criteria in the job description.
- Grammar mistakes and typos indicate that you might not be good at this. Therefore, before sending out your resume, always print it out and proofread it. A minimum of two more persons should proofread it for you as well.
Looking Unprepared
- Suppose you don’t show a fundamental understanding of the position or give specific instances of your prior performance. In that case, it will appear as though you rolled in after taking a quick look at the company’s website.
- The same essential questions about your experience, talents, interest in the firm, and why you think it’s a good fit are frequently asked during interviews. So read up on the business and have a few examples about tasks you accomplished effectively, ready, at the very least.
Uncleared Cover Letter
- Every job you apply for must have a different cover letter. Why would an employer want to invest in employing you if you can’t put time and effort into developing a unique introduction to yourself? Writing cover letters may be challenging. It’s simple to fall into the trap of revising your resume to emphasize the talents highlighted in this particular job posting, but that won’t help you establish a personal connection. The success of a cover letter is in no way determined by its word count. A long cover letter will turn off most hiring managers.
Every interaction with an employer allows them to evaluate you when you’re looking for work. Use different resume templates depending on the position you are looking for. Always ensure that the skills you highlight and the keywords are pertinent to the desired job. Typos and grammar errors suggest you might not be very good at this.
