You have all the skills but still struggling to land a job? Maybe you’re making one of the most common mistakes that nearly every applicant does; and that’s what letting you down. Careerbuilder conducted a survey in 2016, revealing first hand data on what the recruiters say will get you rejected. Findings show that 80% of the failures are caused by the mistakes mentioned below. Although applicants often underestimate these and end up losing so many opportunities. Take a look to be aware of them.
Format and tailor your CV
For any position you apply, you’ll be up against a number of talented candidates. In this case, tailoring the CV to the job description is vital. Overlooking to this matter can minimise your chances of seeking a great first impression. If you send the same CV to many different applications, you’re less likely to get a call back even though you may be a good fit. Invest more time in reflecting the qualities and values specifically highlighted in the job description. It is going to take longer but will have a significant effect when the CV is reviewed.
Nearly 80% of hiring managers and recruiters are using ATS (Application Tracking System) to eliminate the badly formatted CVs. For example, if a certain qualification is essential for a job, an ATS would ignore any applicants who don’t have it. This means you need to find the right keywords to stand out and keep tailoring your CV for each job you apply.
References on request
When it comes to job hunting, external referees are quite crucial to have some credibility. You should include the reference list on a separate document or in your cv, even if it is not mentioned in the job description. Rather than saying “references are available upon request” cliche, actually utilise the list by attaching the contact details. Most applicants don’t realise the importance of this. Respectable and well-known referees would impress the reader and give you more confidence. It also makes things easier for the recruiter; keeping things clearly reachable. This is a perfect opportunity for you to reinforce your trustworthiness.
Output, outcomes and metrics
This is poised to be a red flag to most hiring managers or recruiters, because they want to hire someone professional and reliable. Therefore, mentioning some outcome and metrics that have been achieved in your previous experiences are valuable. Most job seekers only list down some duties or responsibilities but not the accomplishments they achieved. Connect your job with the outcome of the company goal, whether you succeed. Because without being outcome-oriented, you can’t play to your strengths. Take every extra opportunity to sell yourself. As you can see the following example is a great way of showing it:
“Created a software application system to assist in communication across all company departments. In result, the lack of communication decreased by 20% in three months”
Serial applicants
We regularly hear stories of people making hundreds of applications and still don’t get a single interview. This is because most applicants don’t take their time to consider narrowing down the jobs they apply to. They cast a wide net for as many jobs as possible in the hope of a call back. However, it’s not a number game. Every role requires different skills. While you try to apply to as many jobs as you can, there won’t be any time left to individualise your applications. Never forget that the quality is always over quantity. Be specific and don’t fall into the trap of generalising the roles. Rushing won’t get you anywhere. You should slow down and take things one at a time.
Follow up and feedback
Inconsistency in getting feedback is also a leading indicator for failure. The market is not as simple as it was before, you cannot expect to apply for a single individual role within a huge pool of candidates and expect to just get a call back. Getting a job is harder than it was months ago. By reaching out for feedback, you can see where you need improvement. Most importantly, you’ll see your weaknesses. Never doubt to go the extra mile for a follow-up note, be resilient and make some effort. This also will make you seem more eager for the role.
Why not enroll in our career coaching course “how to get hired by a tech company?” The level and depth of your learning gradually increases with so many tools and tips. We can guarantee that you’ll do yourself a huge favour by enrolling to this course.
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Written by Gizem Dagli