Things You Should Never Say & Do When Applying for Jobs
With unemployment at an all-time high, job applicants need to be savvy when considering how they will present themselves to potential employers. Here is a short list of items job seekers should consider, written by career coach Brian Daniel:
Saying you’re “highly motivated” or “highly organized.” Not only is this over-used, but it’s also irrelevant. Anyone wanting to be a land a good job needs to be specific about accomplishments and showcase skills that are essential to the employer’s needs.
Saying you’re “highly motivated” or “highly organized.” Not only is this over-used, but it’s also irrelevant. Anyone wanting to be a land a good job needs to be specific about accomplishments and showcase skills that are essential to the employer’s needs.
Mind your social media presence
Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms need to be set to private. It has been proven in study after study that 93% of employers check social media before or during the interview process. Candidates are usually disqualified from the running for posting inappropriate photos of themselves. If you’re planning on working for a high-net-worth family for a CEO, then the hiring manager that represents the employer will go above and beyond to make sure the job applicant has a clean background in every way.
Make sure your skills match
Not submitting a custom resume is a sure-fire way to get your resume deleted. Most candidates won’t go the extra mile and just mass-submit the same generic resume to each job. Because employers can be ultra-selective when looking for a staff, they will meticulously go through your resume with a fine-tooth comb. Candidates need to customize each resume to match what the employer is looking for. So, in short, if you want that hot job with the local billionaire, then show you know how to stand out from the crowd with a custom resume for that job submission.
Only send one resume at a time
Never send bulk emails because hiring managers are turned-off. In addition to not customizing the resume, unmotivated job seekers sometimes blast the same cover letter and resume to dozens of employers at one time. It’s completely obvious even if the candidate pastes all of the emails in the BCC line of their email (which they usually do not). Job seekers need to be strategic with their submissions if they want to work in the ultra-competitive job market.
Make your resume submission personal
Not having a cover letter is a killer. The most unfair part of this prerequisite is that most human resources managers don’t read cover letters (initially) but will delete your resume submission if you don’t have one. Use a very short and succinct cover letter that outlines why your qualifications meet the needs of the CEO or President you will be serving.
Make sure you spell correctly
Bad grammar is an obvious no-no. Job seekers need to thoroughly read their resumes again and again to search for errors. Have a friend or family member scour the document with critical eyes because mistakes on your resume will definitely get your submission deleted by the ATS system and human eyes will never even see it.
Reading the application instructions
Not following instructions when submitting your resume is bad news for job seekers. Celebrities and high-net-worth individuals often have a series of informal tests that they put candidates through. Passing the simple task of following directions is only the first step in a series of homeruns one will have to hit to score the dream job.
Not changing your resume
Sending a generic resume not addressed to any specific person is also a no-no. Do your homework and make your submission stand out by addressing it to someone who is a decision-maker. If you want that high-profile personal assistant job to a celebrity or high-profile CEO, then go the extra mile and do some research.
Unprofessional email address
Having an unprofessional email address is more common than one might think. Your email should never be anything other than your name, so that “HunkyDude” email you’ve been using will definitely get you deleted – regardless of your stellar work history.
