5 Application Mistakes That Are Costing You the Job

The job posting looks perfect for you: a great employer, reasonable demands, a good salary, and a list of skills and qualifications that could have been copied straight out of your own work history. You fill out the application, confident that this job is the one, and…nothing.

If radio silence is part of your job search, it could mean you’re making some common application mistakes that are preventing your application from showing up to employers. Here are five of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Your application has typos.

Spelling errors, grammar glitches, typos that cause the wrong word to appear – all of these mistakes can cost you an interview, and not all of them are mistakes your spellcheck software will catch. Instead, double-check your work, and have a trusted friend look it over as well.

Your application doesn’t match your resume (or neither one matches your LinkedIn).

When the dates on your application and resume don’t line up, or when the dates on either one don’t match publicly available information like your LinkedIn profile, hiring managers may feel skeptical that you’re not telling the whole truth about your job history. Make sure you’re using consistent dates and job titles when describing what you’ve done.

Your application or resume doesn’t use keywords the system recognizes.

Generic resumes frequently get buried in application systems because the system uses certain keywords to recognize relevant applications. These keywords are typically the same ones used in the job posting. Make sure the computer can see your application by using the same words the job posting uses to describe the relevant skills and experience you have.

You tried to substitute your resume for the job application form.

Yes, some job application forms ask for the exact same information that’s already on your resume. However, many don’t – they look for specifics that aren’t included on the typical resume. Resist the urge to simply send in a resume or cover letter; instead, make certain that no other type of application is required before you declare your work done.

You skipped something.

Online applications aren’t always easy to follow, but skipping a marked step is an excellent way to ensure your application disappears into digital oblivion. Read all instructions carefully and double-check each screen to ensure you’ve filled out all the necessary information before moving to the next step.

At THE RIGHT STAFF, LLC, our recruiters help connect St. Paul area job seekers with some of the best employers and job opportunities in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Contact us today to learn more.

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