Major Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for Job

Major Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for a Job

Applying for jobs is a very challenging thing. To get success you must avoid some common mistakes most of the time people do. Today in this article I will cover some mistakes people make while applying for jobs and share some tips to help you get ahead. 

Below I am sharing the top 10 mistakes:

1. Using the Same Resume and Cover Letter for Every Job
2. Not Using Keywords
3. Skipping Research on the Company
4. Ignoring Job Application Instructions
5. Providing Incorrect or Outdated Information
6. Focusing Only on Responsibilities
7. Unprofessional Email or Social Media
8. Applying Without Meeting the Basics
9. Not Following Up
10. Being Unprepared for Interviews

01. Using the Same Resume and Cover Letter for Every Job:

Mistake: Applying with the same resume for every job application is one of the major mistakes done by the candidates. Employer always want to see how your skills, your educational background and your experience perfectly match their specific needs and generic application shows a lack of effort.

How to fix it : 

1. Customize your resume as per the job role with a focus on the skills asked in the job description. 
2. Always use keywords from the job description in your resume so the screening HR feels familiar with your application.
3. Always write a fresh cover letter for each role, using the keywords from the job description and showing why you are a great fit for it.

02. Not Using Keywords : 

Mistake: Nowadays, most companies use ATS (Application Tracking System) to scan job applications. If your resume is not ATS-friendly and doesn’t have the right keywords according to the job description, it may get rejected by the ATS and not be seen by the recruiter. I have talked about ATS in detail in one of my articles, “What is ATS(Application Tracking System)?”

How to fix it :  

1. Identify key skills in the job posting.
2. Identify key terms in the job posting.
3. Include all these keywords in your cover letter and resume.

03. Skipping Research on the Company

Mistake: Applying without understanding the company, its mission, vision, goal, values recent projects, etc is a blunder mistake done by candidates. While screening recruiter will think you are an uninterested and effortless candidate and you will lose your chances to get in.

Fix it : 

1. Visit the company website to learn about its mission, vision, and goal.
2. Visit the company’s LinkedIn page to learn about their values and recent projects.
3. Try to mention something specific about the company during the interview but if it’s not needed don’t try to put it in your conversation forcefully.

04. Ignoring Job Application Instructions

Mistake: Ignoring the instructions in the job description is a very major issue this shows You do not pay attention to the details and how irresponsible candidate you are

How to fix it : 

1. Read and understand the job description and instructions very carefully.
2. Submit documents in the correct format as they asked for example PDF, DOC, etc.
3. Properly include all the requested material as per the instructions for example portfolio, letter of recommendation, cover letter, resume, etc.

Tip : review your application before submitting it.

05. Providing Incorrect or Outdated Information : 

Mistake: Leaving out or filling in incorrect information like contact number, email address, LinkedIn ID or portfolio link is a very common mistake made by freshers especially. It is very important to fill in all the contact details correctly otherwise an employee can’t reach you if your information is wrong or remains unfilled.

How to fix it : 

1. Keep the details ready in advance.
2. Always re-check your application before hitting “Submit”.

06. Focusing Only on Responsibilities : 

Mistake: For entry-level candidates with working experience of 1-2 years who are switching his/her job for the very first or second time they mention what they did in their past job instead of what they achieved in their resume and this is a mistake. Employers always want to see the results they are not interested in your previous duties.

How to fix it? 

1. Always try to include numbers (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”)
2. Try to use action words (e.g., “Achieve, Successfully, Honored”)
3. Highlight specific success.

07. Unprofessional Email or Social Media : 

Mistake: Having inappropriate posts on LinkedIn or using unprofessional mail for applying for jobs are common mistakes made by fresh graduates. It makes you seem like an unprofessional candidate.

How to fix it?

1. Use a simple email with your name in it. For example (yourname@gmail.com)
2. Clear your social media profile “LinkedIn” especially
3. Make a LinkedIn profile and update the details mentioned below

Tip: Try to gain at least 500+ connections because companies sometimes ignore the individuals who have connections below 500. This shows your relevancy and LinkedIn is a very good platform to grow your network. As a suggestion, always try to spend at least 15 minutes per day on LinkedIn so you get friendly with corporate culture and grow your network.

08. Applying without meeting the basics

Mistake: Making a job application without meeting the minimum qualification criteria is totally a waste of your time and your employer’s time.

How to fix it?

1. Focus on the opening where you meet the requirements.
2. Highlight knowledge, skill, or experience if you are slightly unfit.

09. Not Following Up

Mistake: Skipping follow-up after interview, screening or application makes you seem uninterested or unprofessional and you lose your chances to get in.

How to fix it?

1. Send an email a week after the application 
2. Send an email within 24 hours after the interview
3. A polite email after the interviews shows how respectful you are to the interviewer’s time.

Tip: A simple Thanksgiving email can make you stand out

10. Being Unprepared for Interviews : 

Arriving for the interview without getting the proper dress code, without learning about the company’s background, without practicing common questions, or without preparing questions to ask is not just a mistake but it’s carelessness and it shows how effortless you are.

How to fix it?

1. Practice common interview questions.
2. Dive into companies website and learn about it 
3. Connect with the company and its members via LinkedIn

Tip: If you want to learn more about steps to prepare for the Interview you can read my post “How to Prepare for Your First Job Interview”.

Conclusion : 

Avoiding these 10 mistakes can help you to stand out and increase your chance of landing the job. Take your time to customize your job application as per the requirements and use professional communication and proper follow-up appropriately. Remember, small steps can make a big difference.

Write by : @mrmjaz