A lot people have the same fear when applying for a job – that they will make a mistake and do something wrong.
This is understandable, but there are many mistakes that you can avoid if you know what to look out for.
In this blog post, we will be discussing 10 things that should never happen when applying for a job.
You are about to apply for a job! This is exciting, but also nerve-wracking. You want to make sure you have your resume and cover letter all set up correctly so that hiring managers can’t resist giving you a call back.
Thereare some mistakes that many people make when they’re applying for jobs, however, which can really cost them the opportunity. We’ll go over 10 of these mistakes in this blog post so you don’t make them yourself!
Mistake # 01:
Not researching the company
If you are not sure what your interviewer is going to ask, it’s best that you do your research beforehand.
You should be prepared for all sorts of questions on anything from company values and mission statements to recent projects they have been working on. Make sure you know who you’re talking to and what they are looking for.
Mistake # 02:
Not being able to answer any interview questions in length
You should be prepared with answers that go beyond a simple one or two words when it comes to answering your interviewer’s questions – make sure you know the company inside and out so you can give them more than just yes or no.
Mistake # 03:
Not doing your research on the company culture in advance of an interview
Company values and mission statements are important to know, but you should also be prepared for what could be deemed acceptable attire.
Don’t show up in a suit if the dress code is more casual; it’s best to do some research beforehand so that you don’t end up making a bad impression.
Mistake # 04:
Not asking questions during an interview
The interviewer wants to know that you are interested in the company, and they should be able to tell from your conversation whether or not this is true–ask them about their experiences with the company or what success might look like for them.
Mistake # 05:
Not sending a thank you email after an interview
A lack of communication post-interview is not only rude, but it can be seen as a sign that the applicant doesn’t want to work for that company–or they’re just too lazy to send a brief note acknowledging their interest in being considered further .
Mistake # 06:
Not having a good online presence on social media platforms
It’s not enough to just have an account–you need to be active. And if you’re using it for professional purposes, make sure your profile photo is appropriate and that the information in your bio (and caption) is up-to-date and accurate.
Mistake # 07:
Not doing enough research on the company, their work culture or job requirements
It’s easy to tell when someone doesn’t care about a potential employer–if you don’t know anything other than what they’ve put in the “about” section of their website, that speaks volumes.
If possible, visit the office, take a tour of the work environment and meet some people–it’ll only make you more eager to apply for a position.
Mistake # 08:
Not taking enough time with your resume or applying blindly without tailoring it to each individual job posting
One mistake that I see often is having an “All-Purpose” resume that is over stuffed with information about their previous work experience.
It’s important to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for and make sure it highlights what they are looking for in a candidate–skills, experiences, education. Take the time necessary so your resume really speaks to them!
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Mistake # 09:
Not taking the time to research a company
I don’t know about you, but I’m usually so excited at the prospect of landing my next job that I just fill out an application and submit it without giving much thought.
However this is one mistake where doing your due diligence can really pay off in spades down the line! Take some time but investigate the company you’re applying for and make sure it’s a good fit.
A lot of time, I’ll find out that my skillset is not what they are looking for in an applicant even though I may have been qualified!
*shudders* It would’ve been so much easier to know this before I applied–I could’ve saved myself the time and the humiliation of being turned down for an interview!
Mistake # 10:
Not researching a company’s culture before applying.
You might have all the qualifications to be CEO but if you don’t fit into their corporate culture, they’ll never hire you! Be sure that your personality is compatible with what they’re looking for.
The company I work with has a really casual atmosphere, so wearing jeans to an interview is not out of the norm! But if you are applying for a more formal position, be sure to dress professionally from head-to-toe.
That doesn’t mean that you need to wear something as stuffy and formal as a suit–just make sure you are dressed to impress!
Mistake # 11:
Being too honest on your resume.
It’s important to be truthful when detailing past jobs, but honesty isn’t always the best policy. If there is anything that could potentially bother them about your experience (such as quitting without notice), leave it out.
Mistake # 12:
Not doing your research and knowing the company before you go to an interview.
It’s important that you know about the company before going into an interview, so do some research on them beforehand! It can really help give insight as to what they are looking for in their employees–and make sure you ‘re the right person for the job.
Mistake # 13:
Not asking about salary during your interview.
This should be a no-brainer–but it’s always good to know how much they’re willing to pay you right off the bat. Plus, if their budget is out of range for what you want and need, just move on quickly .
Don’t be afraid to ask about how much they are willing to pay you–after all, it’s a huge part of what you’ll do day-to-day! Make sure that their offer is worth more than any other offer you could receive, and don’t settle for anything less.
Mistake # 14:
Not asking about benefits during your interview.
It’s important that you know the ins-and-outs of their health care plans before signing a contract–so be sure to ask! It’ll give you peace of mind knowing exactly what is covered in their plans, and you’ll be able to make an informed decision.
Mistake # 15:
Not asking about the company culture during your interview.
This is very important–a good vibe can really affect how productive a person is! You want one that will lift up spirits, not bring them down; if they don’t seem like it ‘s a pleasant place to work, that could be an indication of what your days will look like.
Mistake # 16:
Not asking about the next steps in their hiring process during your interview.
This is crucial! You need to know how long it took them to hire people before, and when they plan on filling positions–that way you can estimate how long it’ll take for them to get back to you.
Mistake # 17:
Not asking about the work-life balance during your interview.
It sounds selfish, but this is important! You want a place that has good benefits and allows people time off when they need it–the more these things are considered in a company, the better!
Mistake # 18:
Not doing your homework before the interview–or even before you apply.
It’s easy to get anxious and just want to jump right into getting an offer, but there are a lot more factors than salary or benefits when to making this decision! It doesn’t hurt to do some research before the interview or when applying for a job, and see what it’s like in person.
Conclusion
The last mistake to avoid is not taking the time to read and understand a job description before applying. This will save you from wasting your own valuable time as well as that of the hiring manager, who may have already filled out an application for you if they saw how qualified you are in their eyes.
Paying attention to details such as these, you can make sure that every part of your job search goes smoothly and leads to success!