Mumbai/Chicago: Job prospects are improving and job seekers are on upbeat mood considering India’s growing economy. However, a simple mistake in the application process may damage your career prospects and take away your new opportunity. The most common job seeker mistakes during the hiring process are as followed: not customizing resume for each employer; don’t find out the hiring manager’s name and personalize the application; missing a cover letter with their resume; absence of follow up with an employer after they applied; and forgetting to send thank-you notes after an interview.
CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions, in a survey identified these mistakes committed by job seekers while application process. This national survey was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder between May 11 and June 7, 2016, and included a representative sample of 3,244 full-time workers in the private sector across industries and company sizes in the USA.
Candidates need to be more cautious when they are in the hiring process and avoiding these simple mistakes will boosts their prospects of landing a job. The survey finds that nearly 54 percent of job seekers don’t customize their resume for each employer. Tailored resumes that match the job description by inserting key words used in the job posting reflecting your experience. This technique can not only catch the eye of the hiring manager but also it can move the resume to the top of the pile if an automated tracking system is scanning resumes for potential candidates.
Around 84 percent of responded job seekers don’t find out the hiring manager’s name and personalize the application. Applying directly to the hiring managers increases your chances of getting noticed and shows you’ve gone that extra step and invested time in getting to know the company.
The survey mentioned that 45 percent of job seekers don’t include a cover letter with their resume. Through cover letters a candidate finds the opportunity to sell themselves beyond the typical listing of work experience and skills in a resume.
37 percent of job seekers don’t follow up with an employer after they applied. Recruiters can sometimes be overwhelmed by candidate applications for certain open jobs. Circling back with a recruiter or hiring manager after submitting a cover letter and resume can help job seekers standout among the competition.
Sending thank-you notes after an interview is one of the most important steps in a candidate’s pre-hire journey as it enables candidates to reiterate why you’re the best fit for the job. The survey revealed that 57 percent of job seekers don’t send thank-you notes after an interview. Most recruiters and hiring managers expect a thank-you note in some form or another (email or handwritten), so neglecting this action will make you stick out like a sore thumb.
The survey also revealed that social media can be an asset to job seekers as recruiters using social media to screen candidates have reached an all-time high. Job seekers can use social media in knowing their potential employers better or learn about latest company news to make for a more engaging conversation in an interview.
