“Could you please tell my son to change is cover letter based on the job?” So said an exasperated mother from Fairfield, Connecticut.
From her perspective, young people were graduating college without any understanding of how to apply for jobs. “Most just send blanket applications through Indeed.” She knew as she was the hiring manager at a large financial institution. This begs the question as the Fairfield mother continued: “how can the son of someone with my job not know the basics of job searching? Well.. he thinks I know nothing.”
Dozens of Career Counseling Connecticut’s parent-clients could have said the same.
Here are some common mistakes made by job seekers:
Not tailoring their resume and cover letter to the specific job they are applying for: Job seekers often make the mistake of sending the same generic resume and cover letter to every job they apply for. Instead, they should customize their resume and cover letter to match the requirements of the job they are applying for.
Not researching the company: Job seekers often fail to research the company they are applying to, which can show a lack of interest and preparation. It is important to research the company’s mission, values, and culture to determine if it is a good fit for them.
Not following up: Job seekers often fail to follow up after submitting their application, which can hurt their chances of getting an interview. It is important to follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter to express interest and ask for an update on the hiring process.
Applying for jobs they are not qualified for: Job seekers often apply for jobs they are not qualified for, which can waste the employer’s time and hurt their chances of being considered for other positions in the future. It is important to carefully read the job description and only apply for jobs that match their qualifications and experience.
Not preparing for the interview: Job seekers often fail to prepare for the interview, which can show a lack of interest and preparation. It is important to research the company, practice common interview questions, and prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
Overall, job seekers should take the time to carefully research the company and the job they are applying for, tailor their resume and cover letter, follow up after submitting their application, only apply for jobs they are qualified for, and prepare for the interview to increase their chances of success.