5 Job Application Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
I co-founded my company, A.M.A Selections, in the summer of 2013. Over the past six years, I have gone through the hiring process numerous times and have noticed common mistakes from applicants that prevented them from getting an interview or from being hired by our company.
I understand that looking for a job can be stressful so I hope these tips can help in making the process a bit easier and, ultimately, get you the job you’re looking for!
The following are five common job application mistakes I’ve encountered:
1. Making it about you
This may sound counter-intuitive but it’s important to remember that you have to explain why you’re the best fit for the job and not why you’re in need of a job. The reason the employer is hiring is to solve a problem in the organization.
Remember to always focus your application around the needs of the employer, not your own needs. You should talk about yourself but, when doing so, use this as a way to highlight how your strengths, skills, and experiences can apply to the position and be beneficial to the company.
2. Not following instructions
A job application is your first impression and it’s important that it be a great and memorable one. The last thing you want to do is come across as someone who doesn’t listen or pay attention to detail. It’s very important to follow the instructions on the job posting and in the application form. Failure to do so will probably get your application thrown out before anyone even looks at your resume.
3. Grammar and formatting
Spelling and grammatical errors on job applications look unprofessional — proofread your application before sending it in. If you’re a bad speller or self-editor you should get someone to edit it for you or, at the very least, run it through a word processing program.
Formatting your application is also very important. Your resume, cover letter, email, and other materials should be clean and simple in format with equal spacing between paragraphs, cohesive colors, and fonts. This shows the employer that you are thorough and professional.
4. Applying for any job
You should never apply for just any job — this can come across as unprofessional and desperate. Moreover, this probably means you haven’t taken the time to tailor your application materials to the job posting so your chances of getting the job are slim to none.
It’s important to value your time — take the proper steps and put all of your efforts into the applications for jobs you actually want and that you are a good fit for. Otherwise, you won’t receive positive feedback and you may start losing your enthusiasm and confidence, which can be difficult to regain.
5. Not following up
If you’ve made any of the errors listed above, following up can give you a second chance. If you didn’t make these mistakes but you haven’t followed up, you’ve just made it harder for you to get the job.
It’s extremely important to send an email several days after your initial application to ensure that your application was received. This shows attention to detail and that you are keen on getting the job. After an interview, you should also follow up within 24 hours to express your gratitude to the interviewer for the opportunity and time they took to speak with you.
Ultimately getting ‘the job’ still remains somewhat out of your control and is based on many variables but, if you avoid these five mistakes then you should see a big difference in the response and feedback you get from your applications.
Good luck with your job search!
