Firehead

There are hidden dangers in both writing and sending your job application to recruiters or hirers. Here are five classic blunders to avoid.

1. The job spec trap

This is one of the biggest time-wasting traps to avoid. If you don’t fit the listed requirements then there is no point in applying – you can read all about this in my previous post Should you apply if you don’t fit the job spec?

2. The spellcheck trap

Proofread your own application carefully; don’t just rely on the spell check. We’ve all heard stories of the auto spell checker’s hilarious, if unintentional, changes but remember that it’s only a machine and it can also leave mistakes in your document because it recognises your word – it’s just not the one for the context. This is one time you need to actually print out and proofread your CV and application with human eyes. Preferably yours –and someone else’s, too.

3. The missing email attachment trap

Don’t forget to attach your CV! The applicant who forgets to attach their CV to the application email isn’t sending an application at all. We’ve all forgotten attachments to emails – or maybe I should just speak for myself – but this is crux. You really need to make sure you don’t miss the most important step in this competitive process.

4. The name trap

Get the names of the hirers, and anyone you have an interview with, right. This sounds obvious but let me give you a personal example. My first name is Carrie-Jean but I go by ‘CJ’ to 90% of the world. For some reason, maybe false informality, a lot of people I don’t know address me as ‘Carrie’. This immediately puts them in a category of ‘you don’t know me, you make assumptions and I don’t trust you’. This may sound harsh but it’s because the only people who do it are feigning familiarity while showing that they didn’t read either one of the names I use plastered all over my communication channels. People care about their names and yet, for some reason, they will rarely correct you if you say it wrong in a formal setting. They just won’t connect with you or want to hire someone sloppy.

5. The correspondence etiquette trap

Just because you’re using email is no excuse for shortcut spellings, typos or ignoring grammar.
Your email address also says a lot about you. There’s nothing wrong with a free account from Yahoo!, Gmail and so on, but the name you choose speaks volumes about you. Hence sexyhunk@gmail.com isn’t going to promote your (professional) cause or create a sense of professionalism or gravity on your CV.

You might also like:

• Unsuck your CV and covering letter
• 10 CV buzzwords to avoid – and what to replace them with!
• Six common CV mistakes that will land you in the round file