Getting desperate to find a job can mean that many people apply for jobs on the off chance of getting an interview, during which they can blag their way through it. However, this makes the work of sifting through application forms and CVs a much lengthier process for recruiters, and scrapping poor applications and CVs becomes a nuisance…the same as you get irritated by persistent junk mail!
You could also be shooting yourself in the foot, because the same employer may advertise a job that’s relevant to your skills and experience later on, and they may remember your application to another (irrelevant) job and dismiss your application or CV based on that.
- A generic CV and covering letter that is dull and mundane
Every recruiter wants to see that you have taken time to read the job description and specification before applying for their advertised job. This will be very obvious because of the level of detail that your CV and covering letter will have – something that your generic CV and covering letter won’t!
Recruiters know that you’ll be applying for other jobs – they are human, after all – but they want to see that their job is important enough to you to take the time to tailor your CV and covering letter just for them.
- Email subject line that has no mention of the job
These days, everyone gets a barrage of emails everyday. We often decide on when and whether to open an email based on the subject line, and if you’re makes no mention of the job you are applying for, has no subject line, or has something other than the fact that you’re applying for a job in it, you have a good chance of being missed, or trashed.
- Don’t lie or brag on your CV or at the interview
Don’t lie or just brag about anything during an interview – no one likes someone who’s full of themselves, and irritating the recruiter will not put you in good stead for a second interview, or the job.
Lying about your qualifications, experience or anything else on your CV or at the interview will come back to bite you in the end, and you’ll lose respect and credibility – and, in some cases, your job. It’s far better to be honest and upfront, and say that you are willing to train and learn in the areas where there is a shortfall – this shows that you have considered your strengths and have goals to improve for their company.
- Don’t bombard people with phone calls and emails
When you apply for a job, don’t start calling and emailing straight away to see how your application is going. It may well be an administrator who collects all the information, but they will talk to the recruiting manager(s) and let them know that you are ‘too keen’ (a nicer way of saying desperate).
Instead, wait to be contacted. Give at least two weeks after the closing date before you enquire by phone about the status of your application. Leave your details if you are unable to speak to the recruiter and leave it at least a week before following up with another call if you don’t hear back from them.
- Leave a contact number and email that you can be easily reached
Employers tend to get annoyed if you are unreachable on the contact number or email that you provide with your application. Yes, you may have a busy day where you are not right at the end of the phone, or can’t respond immediately to an email, but once you know that a potential employer is trying to get hold of you, find a way to make yourself available.
