Simply Hired Blog

4 Ways To Inadvertently Sabotage Your Job Search

Looking for a new job is a daunting enough task, but will be even tougher if you unwittingly sabotage your job search. Yes, you may be turning off potential employers without even realizing it.

Here are some of the ways that you may be inadvertently hurting your chances at finding a new position:

Your resume and/or cover letter is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors

You may indeed be a great manager, but if you call yourself a “manger” on your resume, you will not exactly make a great impression on a prospective employer. And believe it or not, some people have even misspelled the names of companies they have worked for, which may be cause for immediate rejection by a hiring manager.  It is crucially important that you make sure that your resume, cover letter, and even your LinkedIn page have flawless spelling and grammar. You should run spelling and grammar checks on all items, as well as have a trusted friend with a critical eye read everything to make sure that your words are up to snuff.

You have a bad attitude  

Looking for a job can be a bit like looking for somebody to date. If you come across as a defeated, depressed person, or somebody who has low self-esteem, you will get about as much play as a potential dating partner would with the same sort of attitude, no matter how much you may have to offer.  We understand that you may have good reason to feel down, especially if you haven’t worked in a while, but it is important to come across as a good-natured person with a good attitude. This may entail acting “as if” for a while – if  you act more positive about life than you really feel, you might just find yourself feeling good again. You can also work with a career coach or trusted friend to work at presenting yourself  in a more dynamic way.  Before you know it, you may genuinely have something to smile about.

Your public social media presence is a turn-off

More employers than ever are using social media sites to check out prospective employees. So while you may think it’s cool to have photos of you downing tequila shots at Cabo, your would-be future boss may not think so. In addition to making sure that your public social media profile is G-rated, also do an Internet  search on yourself and see what shows up. If there are negative items about you on other sites, try to either get them taken down, or create more positive posts. Establishing and maintaining an active presence on Google Plus is a good place to start – so that the good things will eventually outnumber the bad, and show up first in internet searches.

You don’t have a clearly stated goal, and apply to jobs unrelated to your experience

Sometimes frustrated job-seekers complain how they have sent out over 50 resumes each week, but haven’t heard anything back. It’s no wonder they haven’t. Quantity isn’t quality, and such a scattershot, throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach will not work. Nor will sending resumes to jobs where you do not make it clear that you are qualified for them. Sure, you may have a lot of skills, and be a jack of all trades, but if you don’t clearly state what it is you are looking for, you will be looking for a long time. You may want to work with a career coach or a career counselor to figure out what it is you would like to do, or talk to a mentor on what you should do next.

Lisa Swan writes for Institute for Coaching, a life, executive and career coaching site.  

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Using Social Media to Perform Company Research

Using social media today is not only ideal for connecting with peers, family and friends, it’s another way of gaining a competitive edge when applying for a position that may be in high demand. If you prepare ahead of time by getting actively involved with social media before your next job interview, you’ll have a better chance of receiving the job offer you desire.

Your Social Media Presence

The advantage of social media is that it allows you to create and develop your own professional image and brand online. Creating a LinkedIn profile, a Twitter account and even a Facebook account for your professional image is a way for you to stay relevant, especially if you plan to work in a position that is technology- or Internet-related. A professional online presence can make you a more appealing candidate for any position that you apply for.

A LinkedIn account is highly recommended regardless of the industry you want to work in or the position you are trying to obtain. A LinkedIn account allows you to showcase your portfolio, work experience and even endorsements from professionals you have worked with in the past.

A Twitter account allows you to communicate with the companies you are interested in by "re-tweeting" links and information and by conducting homework on open positions.

Company Research With Social Media

Read and review company websites and blogs to gain insight into the business. lt can help you understand the products and types of services offered by the companies you want to work for and will help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to interviewers. 

Follow companies’ Twitter and Facebook accounts to keep up with the latest news, product releases and company updates. This is especially important for positions that require experience working with social media--it’s important to appear informed on the latest trends in the industry. 

Check employee blogs before you apply for a position to gain more insight about the company’s workplace and the work that will be required. Employee blogs can help you get a better idea of the work environment and the type of people that work there.

Research individuals who work for the companies you are applying for, including those with whom you have scheduled interviews. This research can be done through web searches and social networking websites like LinkedIn. Knowing as much as possible about the people you will be working with will help you feel more confident and comfortable when interacting with them, and give you an even better chance of getting the job.

Jose Sanchez has been a Resume Writer and Career Advisor since 1999. He writes and shares content related to Resume Writing, Job Interview Questions and Cover Letters. 

What You Shouldn’t Write in a Cover Letter

Most companies require a cover letter along with your application and resume. Recruiters want to know why they should consider granting you an interview, and your cover letter is an opportunity to point out which aspects of your past experience best qualify you for the job. 

Your letter is your official introduction to a company, so it must make a positive impression.  This is especially true if you’re trying to showcase business skills such as project management, critical thinking, or communication. The cover letter demonstrates your ability to write; therefore it should be well-written, addressed properly, insightful and interesting. Learn to avoid the following mistakes and your cover letter could help you land your dream job.

Improper spelling and grammar

Hiring managers always keep a sharp eye out for errors. Cover letters are like a test for corporate communication, so recruiters are looking for basic mistakes like misspelled words or improper punctuation marks. All missteps are strikes against you that will negatively influence how a potential employer thinks of you.

Be sure to edit and proofread your letter before sending it to a company. Read it multiple times and look for any small mistakes that you may have missed. Ask your friends and associates to read the document as well, because they may find errors that you didn't notice.

An old-fashioned salutation

A common problem job seekers face is deciding to whom to address the cover letter. Some people choose "Dear Sirs" as a generic salutation, but that one should be avoided, according to the James W. Stuckert Career Center at the University of Kentucky. They point out that the phrase excludes women and can hurt your chances of landing a job. 

Search for a recruiter's name so you can directly address them in your letter. If the name is not included in the job listing, then call the company and ask. Because many businesses may not divulge that information, feel free to use a generic greeting like "To whom it may concern."

Overused cliches

If you’ve written your share of cover letters lately, it’s easy to use similar wording in every one. It’s important to make your words stand out in a way that makes you stand out without giving the wrong impression. 

MSN recently reported on a Robert Half study in which they asked 1,300 managers about the overused verbiage on resumes. They include descriptive words like “hard worker,” “”team player” and “people person”.  You should avoid these in your cover letters as well.

Bragging can backfire

Many job seekers write about how they are the ideal candidate for a job. This strategy has some merit at first glance, but bold claims are impossible to prove and may be completely untrue. CBS News notes that unless you know every other applicant, you don't know if you actually are the best person to fill a specific position. 

Write about your skills and qualifications without tooting your own horn. Present the necessary information and allow recruiters to form their own impressions about you. 

Inaccurate information about the company

Cover letters should always include information about the company. This section cannot be taken lightly - all information about yourself and the potential employer must be entirely accurate.

Research what a business does before writing your cover letter. The document should reflect that you understand the company's products, objectives and culture. Not researching a business shows that you aren't willing to prepare yourself adequately for a task.

Scott Murray is the Social Learning Evangelist for TrainUp.com, the web’s largest career marketplace.  He is also a contributor to the Training Insights Blog, a series of blogs dedicated to career and professional development.

Composing and Formatting a Cover Letter

Though the recruitment and hiring process may not be the same across various organizations, there are basic concepts that are observed by every organization irrespective of the size, field of operation, or organizational culture.

 

This includes the documents presented when applying for a vacancy. One of these items is the cover letter, which accompanies your resume and other credentials.

Applying for a job with an eye catching cover letter

The cover letter is one of the documents that determine whether you secure a job or not. Therefore it should be constructed with keenness and professionalism, and only include details relevant to the job specifications listed in the job description. To achieve this you can get formal tips on writing cover letters from web, this will help you stand out from other applicants competing for the same position.

The contents of the letter should be arranged by subject and a single paragraph should be dedicated to each of those main subjects. Paragraphs should be logically arranged and have smooth transitions between them. Try to limit your cover letter to a single page. No recruiter wants to spend more than a minute or two reading a cover letter, so keep it short, and save some details for your resume.

Grammar must be a top priority when crafting a standout cover letter. So be sure to carefully proofread checking spelling, puncuation, etc. before sending it to potential employers.

Tips on how to format the letter

Since it is an official document, it should be presented like any other professional business letter. In general this means that the whole document should contain all important details, applicant contact information, date of drafting the letter, the person or company that the letter is directed, and a salutation before the main body of the document.

It is important to introduce the letter by stating who you are and the specific position that you are applying for. This is essential especially when several vacancies are advertised; this information will be used to categorize your letter with those of others applying for the same post. It is prudent to also include the source of the job being applied to in the first introductory paragraph.

The second paragraph should focus on why you are the best candidate to fill the position. This is the point to state work experience, skills, and academic qualifications. Outline this information in a brief manner; it will be covered in more detail in your resume. But be sure the information here matches what is found in your resume and other documents. Inconsistency is discouraged in any kind of job application.

The last paragraph should sum up the whole letter by requesting the employer to consider you for the job. Your availability should also be included here, being careful not to show your level of desperation.

Jose Sanchez has been a resume writer and career advisor since 1999. He writes and shares content related to resume writing, job interview questions and cover Letters. He is managing editor for www.resumebuilder.org.

Dos and Don’ts When Writing Cover Letters

When you are applying for a job, your cover letter might be the first thing the hiring manager sees. And you know what they say about only having one chance to make a good first impression. Here are some tips on making that good first impression with your cover letter.

Be brief

At the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863, Edward Everett, a prominent speaker at the time, spoke eloquently for over two hours. President Abraham Lincoln spoke for two minutes. Whose speech is remembered today?

If a hiring manager is wading through a slew of applications, he is not likely to have the time or inclination to read more than three or four paragraphs.  Don’t waste his time – or yours – by turning your qualifications into an epic tale that will end up an epic fail.

It’s about them, not you

You may need the job. You may think you deserve the job after all your education and training and hard work.  But the company is looking to fill the position with someone that fits their needs, not the other way around. You might be highly qualified for any job in your field. But what you need to convey in your cover letter is why you are the right fit for this particular company and what you can do for them.

Don’t repurpose your resume

According to career coach experts, your cover letter should not simply restate facts that could be gleaned from your resume, but expand on them in a way that is relevant to this particular job.

Have someone else proofread

Even if you are a professional proofreader, it is easy to miss mistakes in your own work, particularly if it looks right and passes spellcheck. Even if you tailor each cover letter to the specific company, you might still do some cutting and pasting. And when you are done, everything will look right, except for one small problem – you’ve cut and pasted from another cover letter and left in the wrong company name. 

Don’t use gimmicks to try to make your cover letter stand out

Crazy fonts, graphics or photos might make your cover letter stand out – but not in the way you want.  Unless such flourishes are essential to the type of job for which you are applying, leave them out. And as for really elaborate submissions that include executable files – hello, spam filter! 

Ben Hargrove writes on career coaching topics for the Institute for Coaching.