Few career situations are more stressful than searching for a new job. You have to update your resume, tailor your applications to your desired positions, and polish your online presence to ensure employers are finding the most relevant and positive information about you.
Amid all this stress, it's easy to forget "job search basics" and make simple errors that could ultimately cost you your dream opportunity. We asked a panel of Forbes Human Resources Council members to share the most common mistakes they see job applicants make during the hiring process and offer their advice for candidates who want a higher rate of job search success.
1. Asking About Benefits Too Early
When a job applicant asks early on what the benefits are, compensation specifics or holiday schedule, it is a major turn-off to the hiring team. Those things are important, but hiring leaders want to know that you are passionate about the work and excited about the role first. All of those questions can come later once you have shown you are the right fit and care about the work at hand. - Lisa Whealon, GL group, Inc.
2. Failing To Research The Employer
In any interaction with a potential employer, whether it is a coffee chat, networking opportunity or formal interview, be sure you have reviewed the company website. Understanding the product and having reviewed recent news and developments shows an employer your interest. Don't waste an opportunity to ask a thoughtful question by asking about something you could find yourself otherwise. - Suzanne Hyatt
3. Listing Accomplishments Without Concrete Results
Candidates do a great job of providing a list of the great things they have done, or have accomplished. If you want to stand out from the competition, show your value. This is a natural extension of your accomplishment. Rather than simply stating what you did, expand by explaining the result of what you did. Employers are not simply looking for doers, they are looking for doers who get results. - John Sigmon, johnsigmon.com
4. Lack Of Details On The Application
The application and resume is the first impression to the employer. Too many candidates do not fill in the blanks on the application or provide enough detail to assess their knowledge skills and abilities. If an application or resume is sloppy and not complete, I immediately disqualify the candidate. I only hire individuals who read instructions and provide the information asked of them. - Kellie Graham SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Complete Children's Health
5. Telling Employers What You Think They Want To Hear
Too often, I run into candidates who answer every question the way they think I want to hear them, rather than with what they truly believe the answer to be. This can become very obvious since so many candidates do this. Be yourself and answer as you, because in the end, you want to find an employer whose values align with yours. - Lotus Yon, NCH
6. Dressing Too Casually
Job applicants have become very casual in their interview attire. While today's dress code standards have changed, at the minimum, applicants should arrive in business casual attire. No ties needed and depending on the heat index in your state during the summertime, no jackets either. A polished look provides for a good first impression, and first impressions last a life time. - Charmaine Smith Winters, Samsung Austin Semiconductor
7. Applying To Irrelevant Positions
Apply to relevant positions. It takes five seconds for a recruiter to figure out if a resume is relevant to the job and if not, quick rejection and move on to the next one. Take the extra time to read the job description and not just the job title. And remember, if you embellish on your resume, it's fair game in an interview and more than likely going to be discovered. - Evan Lassiter, Cloudreach
8. Speaking Poorly Of Current Or Former Employers
Too often, candidates will make a negative reference about their current or past employers during the interview. Discussing past workplace issues makes the candidate seem as if they have a negative attitude. Candidates need to focus on highlighting their skills and accomplishments in the interview. - Debi Bliazis, Champions School of Real Estate
9. Not Asking Questions
Candidates need to realize that not only are they the interviewee, but they should also take on the role of interviewer to see if the company is the right fit for them. Asking pertinent questions not only shows the hiring manager that you are engaged in the interview process, but it also gives you a chance to dig deep to see if this is a place you can see yourself continuing your career. - Charlene Collier, Capitol Consulting Group
10. Not Being Honest About What You Can Do And What You Want
I have found that the most successful candidates have been those who are honest about what they're able to do and what they're looking for in a workplace. Don't say whatever you think the employer is looking for when you know you have constraints or limited capacity — because eventually, the truth will prevail. If you keep it real, you land the opportunity you're supposed to. - Ivelices Thomas, HR & Beyond
