Employers Really Don't Care About These Things

Even though the labor market is good and unemployment is low as of 2017, the job search process is still stressful, because you're competing against other top talent. During your search, it's important to know the 10 things employers don't care about when searching for the best candidate. Keep these in mind to make your job search less stressful.

1. Clever Cover Letters

You don't need a cover with 10 connected inspirational Twitter posts or one that recites a clever poem. Make your letter stand out by describing why you're the perfect candidate for the job. Delve into your passion and be concise, because employers don't care about overly creative introductions.

2. Addressing Cover Letters Properly

Addressing the cover letter to an actual person is a nice touch, but a full 40 percent of employers prefer "Dear Hiring Manager" as a solid opening. Hiring managers want to see the meat of the letter and don't care to whom it's addressed.

3. Flashy Resume Formats

Employers want to see clear, concise resumes that get to the point of highlighting your skills, qualifications and certifications for a job. Use simple fonts, take advantage of white space on the page and have a Career Summary section at the top rather than use flashy graphics or colored paper.

4. High GPA

Less than 10 percent of job sites list your grade point average as a requirement. Instead, focus on getting solid career experience in college, such as internships or fellowships.

5. Short-Term Jobs

Short-term and seasonal jobs may not look well on your resume because these positions clutter up the document. Employers don't care about jobs you had during the summer, but rather the skills you learned along the way.

6. Studying Abroad

Studying abroad in a foreign country can help your job search if the position requires bilingual abilities or you want to work with a company that has a multicultural makeup. Otherwise, studying abroad matters the least to many employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

7. Your College Location

Employers don't care where you went to college. Only 9 percent of employers said college location matters when it comes to hiring graduates, according to a Gallup poll in 2014. What you studied and how you applied your skills are much more important.

8. Two-Page Resumes

A two-page resume is okay, believe it or not. This might be due to applicant tracking systems or automated processes that help human resources narrow down lists of candidates. Keep your resume relevant to the position at hand above all else, even if it's two pages long.

9. Small Interview Mistakes

Interview mistakes can be embarrassing, but how you recover from the mistakes says a lot about your character. Apologize, move on, and don't make the mistake again.

10. Thank-You Note Format

Sending a thank-you note following the interview is enough. Don't concern yourself with the format. Whether it's typed or handwritten, just make sure it's heartfelt.

Employers don't care about some of the smaller details that don't matter to the job itself. Get the details down about your hard skills, experience and soft skills to boost your chances of landing the job.

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