Four Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional

When you’re involved in a job search, the last thing you want to do is to make mistakes that could make it harder for you to get hired. Unfortunately, mistakes are far too common, and they cost otherwise qualified candidates many great opportunities.

If you don’t want your job search to be derailed by an avoidable error, be sure to avoid these common faux pas that could hurt your chances at landing your dream job:

• Sending out generic application materials: Hiring managers can spot a generic resume right away, and when they do, there is a good chance they’ll discard it and move on to a candidate who cared enough to customize their application. Generic resumes, cover letters and other documents that don’t speak to the position you are applying for aren’t impressive, and sending them out is often a waste of time.
• Typos, grammatical errors and other problems with your application: Your application is your chance to put your best foot forward. If you make mistakes when you are trying to make a great impression, the hiring manager may believe you are going to be even more sloppy in your work. You need to treat every correspondence – from the initial application to the thank-you note sent after an interview – as the professional business communication it is.
• Showing up late to the interview: Just like with typos, the hiring manager is likely to be concerned you’ll be habitually late or absent if you don’t come on time for something as important as an interview.
• Sharing too much on social media: When you’re looking for work, it’s almost guaranteed your potential employer is likely to search online for your name. When the hiring manager finds you, there is a good chance they’ll navigate to your social media. If you have inappropriate pictures or postings, this could affect your job prospects. Make sure any inappropriate information is removed if you don’t want an employer to see it.

When you work with a staffing service, recruiting professionals can help you to avoid errors that could affect your job search. Reach out to SmartTalent today if you are looking for work in Kirkland, Fife, Renton, Lacey, Lynwood, Everett and surrounding areas to find out how our staffing professionals can help you.