ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > October > 24 > Entry
Sabotaging your own job search?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes the devil is in the details. Over the years I’ve seen a number of job seekers who put forth a lot of effort in their search, with very little reward. In some of those cases, it’s the smallest things that have cost the candidate the job. Without even realizing it, job seekers can sabotage themselves because of these simple mistakes.
In the current job market, employers are typically overwhelmed with applicants and they are looking for reasons to weed people out. Here’s a list of common mistakes that job seekers make, which can prevent a potential employer from even considering your application.
Spelling Errors: Have someone check your work. Use a dictionary. Have someone check it again. There’s no reason you should have a spelling error on your resume, cover letter, or job application.
No Email Address: Not including an email address on your resume or not having an email address at all is a red flag. Employers will wonder about your computer literacy and may rule you out because of this.
Tacky Email Address: It should go without saying that you should not use your onehotmamma@email.com address for job search purposes. Still, employers see these kinds of email addresses everyday. Why would you do that to yourself? Get a professional email address and use it.
Inappropriate Voice Mail Greetings: If your outgoing message on your cell phone or home phone includes any of the following, change it immediately: Children’s voices, music, cutesy sayings, religious greetings, poetry, etc. Keep it simple, identify yourself or your phone number and be professional.
Incorrect or Incomplete Phone Number: Make sure you’ve typed your telephone number correctly and that you’ve included your area code. If you accidentally type a 3 instead of a 2, suddenly the employer is calling someone else.
Digital Dirt: If you have a personal website, your Facebook account, or if you’re a regular contributor to on-line blogs, you should be aware of what you’re posting. The lines between the virtual world and the real world are blurry these days. Employers are logging into social network sites and doing on-line searches about potential candidates prior to making a hiring decision. So, talking about controversial topics such as religion or politics, or posting pictures of yourself partying or scantily dressed may not create the kind of impression you would like to present to a potential employer.
In the end, it really only takes a small amount of effort to make sure that you’re not sabotaging your own job search. Most of the time you only get one shot at a job opportunity, so make sure this doesn’t happen to you!
Comments
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By PA
October 24, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
How do you avoid a frictional interview. They say that first impressions are the only impressions you get, however, when someone may not like you as you are tall, or heavy, or for no reason, and it happens, how do you override their perception of you to give you a chance?
By RO
October 24, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Small errors can be a huge mistake, but censoring your personality online is not a recipe for career success. If you have a presence on the web, I think it is best to be honest and mature. Not mentioning your religious or political affiliation (in an adult, respectful manner) merely because your hiring manager may use it against you in the hiring process could result in an unhappy working environment. After all, if your potential employer would unreasonably discriminate against you because of your convictions and hobbies/interests, then you most likely would rather not work for him anyway.
As for me, I regularly evaluate my online identities for any elements that may be reasonable deterrents to future business contacts, and I only edit what I am uncomfortable with.
By JD
October 25, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Looking for anything mid-level and above is rough going these days.
You can do everything right and still not get past the resume-submission phase. And even then, companies can delay the hire, decide not to hire, or re-draft the qualifications.
Face it folks, the person hiring holds all the cards.
By JD
October 25, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Looking for anything mid-level and above is rough going these days.
You can do everything right and still not get past the resume-submission phase. And even then, companies can delay the hire, decide not to hire, or re-draft the qualifications.
Face it folks, the person hiring holds all the cards.
By dj
November 5, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
I find working quickly and efficiently can also sabotaged a job search. I have had numerous temp jobs during my stay in Georgia, and on a rare occassion or two, a full time position. Nevertheless, I have discovered many companies consider hard working, dedicated employees a liability rather than an asset. My resume consists of numerous temp/seasonal positions and I have been informed by potential employers that my work history appears unstable or unpredictable. Who cares that I complete assigned projects earlier than anticipated. As far as a company is concerned, I have wasted their money and resources thereby created just cause for release /termination. In short, an employee who uses company time wisely and efficiently can pretty much say he/she has purchased an express ticket to the unemployment line.