Your job application is the first impression you make on a potential employer. In fact, the reason applications are required in most companies is precisely so that employers can test and judge you. We have compiled below the most common mistakes we are seeing among applicants when they email applications to us. Avoid these mistakes at all costs.
1. “I think your application requirements are such and such…”
Some applicants feel our application process is too tough and write us to complain about it. We disqualify these applicants immediately. Why? They fail to understand that the application process in itself is a test, a method of weeding out weak candidates. Applicants who complain show themselves not up to the task of working at our company or the companies we represent. A good interviewing process replicates the work conditions at a company. If you do not survive the application and interview process, you will not survive the job.
2. No Subject, No Email Body
Some applicants just send out CVs attached to blank emails. An employer then has to figure out which position the applicant is applying for and why they think they should be considered for that job. This is plain laziness. Since the applicant has not done any research or planning about their career path, they expects someone else to do it for them. Sadly, everyone else is too busy and no one has time to hand-hold recent graduates into a career
3. “Here is an application for a position that does not exist at your company”
Your application may be perfect, from cover letter to CV, but if your preferred position does not exist at the company to which you have just sent your documents, guess what…delete, delete, delete. Worse, it shows that you haven’t taken the time to research the company. Which company wants to hire someone without initiative? Stop job seeking by trial and error. Do your research.
4. One email to all potential employers
We have come to the conclusion that many job seekers do not understand that each application needs to be tailored to the company in question. And if you are too lazy to actually do the work required to impress employers, at least put all the recipients in bcc (black carbon copy), which hides recipients from each other. It’s still bad form. Why? Every employer wants to feel that you have picked the company for a very specific reason, that you feel you will fit there and nowhere else. Revealing where else you are applying simply signals that you are not serious about any one company.
5. Typos: misspellings, no capitals, wrong punctuations
When you present less than perfect writing to your potential employer, you raise quite a few questions; Do you simply not have a command of the English language? Should you, therefore, be trusted to communicate with clients? Or are you just careless? Therefore, should your supervisor trust you with anything at all? Or were you in a rush, too busy doing something else you consider more important than this application? After raising such questions in the employer’s mind, you can be sure you won’t be receiving an invitation to an interview.
6. “Hey you… I am very important and you should pay attention to me”
You may never say the above overtly, but your diction, your presentation may make an employer go on red alert. For example this response from a job seeker who reached out to us recently: “link me with possible areas in my specialty”. First, the informality of this statement. The applicant has no time to capitalize his sentence. Second, the commanding tone. The applicant thinks we owe him a job and further that he deserves a job. Correction: no matter your educational qualifications or experience or self-esteem, you do not deserve a job. Jobs don’t go to those who need them a.k.a those who write “I need a job” but rather, to those who can prove they have something of value to offer an employer. Make sure that you are not coming off as entitled.
7. Made-up application requirements
If an employer asks for 4 documents, don’t send in 3 or 5. There is a reason why that employer is asking for exactly 4 documents. If an employer asks for a 1 page CV, that one extra page will disqualify you. You will notice that more and more employers are now including the following statement in job announcements: “If you cannot follow instructions, don’t bother applying”. Doing other than what an employer has instructed suggests that you are not literate, or you have too much attitude to actually take time to read or that you think you know better than the employer, all clear signs that you will be that difficult, unpleasant employee.
8. Three different emails for one application
In the first email you attach your CV; in the second, the cover letter; in the third, several things no one asked for. What does this say about you? Disorganized and thoughtless. Take a moment to realize that employers often file applications. This means that when you distribute your application, either because you are not paying attention when you click send or because in this day and age, you do not know how to attach several documents to one email, you are giving someone extra work. That person would rather delete your application than organize it for you.
9. Zip file addict
You are careful to attach everything to one email , but you are in the habit of zipping your ‘booklet’ of an application. You assume that the recipient has an unzip program installed on her machine. She may not. And instead of going through all the trouble of finding the necessary program, guess what he/she will do…delete, delete, delete. Stop it.
10. How do I apply?
This question often follows a long job announcement that explains in detail exactly how to apply. It is infuriating. When you receive a job announcement on email, the first thing to do is look for a link, normally highlighted in blue. Click on this link before you send back an email asking “How do I apply?” or “Where are the details?” No one enjoys answering the same question twice.
Bonus: Are you a stalker job seeker?
Dear jobseeker, you may be displaying stalker tendencies, unknowingly. Be very wary of calling an employer without prior permission. Yes, you may want to show initiative but think carefully where you are infringing on someone else’s privacy. If the said person has not personally given you his number, DO NOT call. And worse still, do not keep calling and calling. Call once and if the person does not pick up, wait for them to call back. If they do not call back, DO NOT call again. Forget and move on. If they do pick up, explain clearly who you are and why you are calling and this better not involve the entitled statement “I need a job” because the reply you will most definitely receive is “so what?”. Do not call on weekends or after works hours (essentially 4pm). Our advice, DO NOT CALL, period.
If your application/approach suffers any of these problems, fix them immediately, and you will move closer to getting that job. However, there is still much much more to learn. Jobsmentor has an intensive training program for recent graduates and young professionals who are struggling to find jobs. Visit our website for more information.
Know a friend struggling to find a job, introduce him/her to jobsmentor
Website: www.jobsmentor.co.ke