Are You Making These Five Job Application Mistakes?

Employers use job applications to gather the information they need to make good hiring decisions. HR managers also use completed job applications to determine if current employees are eligible for promotions. Although your cover letter and resume are important, don't make the mistake of thinking the job application doesn't matter. Impress the hiring manager by avoiding the following mistakes.

1. Failure to Follow Instructions

Don't start filling out an application until you take time to read the instructions. If you write in cursive when the instructions tell you to print all of your information, the hiring manager might have some concerns about your ability to follow directions on the job. Slow down, and read every section of the application carefully. If anything seems unclear, ask the hiring manager for assistance.

2. Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Your job application is a reflection of your professional skills and ability to communicate clearly in writing. If you make several grammar or spelling errors on the same job application, the hiring manager is likely to have concerns about your writing skills. It's especially important to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes if you are applying for a position that involves writing reports or reviewing written documents for accuracy.

3. Boring Cover Letters

Most employers require you to submit a cover letter and resume in addition to your job application. One of the biggest application mistakes you can make is sending in a boring cover letter. An effective cover letter has persuasive text that tells a story about your skills and employment history. Your letter also needs to grab attention right from the very first sentence. Avoid sending snooze-worthy cover letters that make hiring managers want to move on to the next applicant instead of learning more about you.

4. Unfocused Resumes

Sending the same resume in response to every job opening saves time, but it greatly reduces your chances of getting a job. When you submit a job application, the hiring manager expects to see a tailored resume that shows how your qualifications compare to the requirements listed in the job advertisement. If you decide to submit an application in response to an internal posting or external advertisement, you must tailor your resume accordingly.

5. Failure to Research the Company

It's difficult to understand what a hiring manager wants from you if you don't take the time to research the company before you apply. If you plan to submit a job application, take a few minutes to browse the organization's website, and find out what products or services it provides. Read the company's mission statement, review bios of key people in the company, and learn as much as you can about the industry as a whole. Doing extensive research ahead of time makes it easier to submit a complete package.

Many applicants spend a lot of time on their cover letters and completely ignore the importance of filling out job applications properly. If a hiring manager asks you to fill out a job application, slow down, and read the instructions before you put pen to paper. Be careful not to make any of these common job application mistakes.

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