In
an earlier article here, Larry explained why qualified candidates don’t always
get the best jobs. It was so popular that we thought we’d go a step further. A
step further back, that is. There
are many basic mistakes made by otherwise superb candidates. These
mistakes have almost always cost the qualified candidates further consideration.
Here
are ten of our (least anticipated) favorites:
1.
Do your homework about the organization. Research the organization’s
history and where it hopes this new person will take it. Address these issues
in your cover letter so you don’t look like you are sending form letters. Your
cover letter should include information about your skills and passions and how
they would complement the open position.
2.
Spell check, spell check, spell check. Don’t misspell the name of the
addressee or the organization; it’s right there in front of you on the ad. Don’t
use mail merge unless you plan to review each letter before sending it. If I had
a dime for every letter I got with Ms. Gassner Otting in the address block and
“Dear Gassner:” in the letter I’d be a rich woman; unfortunately, I don’t so I
was only rich with trashed resumes.
3.
Read the ad completely. Request or locate a longer position
description if available. Most organizations have web sites; review these before
submitting an application.
4.
Follow directions for submissions. Send the type of communication they
want: only e-mail means only e-mail, a fax number listed alone means fax only,
and if all you see is a mailing address, start licking those stamps. If it says
“no attachments,” they mean it; don’t even think about it.
5.
Learn to use electronic communications better.
If sending by e-mail, use the body of the e-mail to be your cover letter. Paste
resume below or follow instructions as given. Never just send an attachment without
explaining what those attachments are. You wouldn’t let a stranger into your house.
I’m not going to take the chance on letting a stranger (and his or her potential
computer viruses) into mine.
6.
Avoid silly e-mail addresses. You may be uncomfortable using your work
e-mail, but think twice about your personal e-mail address. It’s hard to take
a candidate seriously whose return e-mail address is cutegirl@aol.com or Bigdaddy@yahoo.com.
You can easily get a free account to use in your job search. Want proof? How many
Executive Directors do you know who go by the nickname cutegirl?
7. Be realistic. Apply for jobs within the
realm of possibility; don’t apply for every job listed by an organization or firm
or you lose credibility or you lose credibility for all of them. Headhunters talk,
and if you’re not careful, they might laugh too.
8.
Have someone look at your resume. No matter how well you checked it
or how good a writer you think you might be, you need someone else to look at
your materials. Have it reviewed by a professional or someone who knows or can
understand your career history and next steps. Regardless of how hard you worked
on it, you probably missed something.
9.
Don’t come out too bold. Make sure you know the philosophy of the organization.
Don’t write cover letters telling the organization what they did wrong. If you
want to change an organization from within, wait until you are within it, or better
yet, consider not applying if the organization itself isn’t interested in the
sort of change you seek.
10.
Know your red flags. No candidate is perfect. Why aren’t you? Address
major missing segments of your experience in your cover letter and explain why
they should be pardoned.
Need
some advice? Call on one of our resident headhunters. Consulting is available
on resumes, cover letters, interviewing and other general job search issues. Contact
LGO@ExecSearches.com for more information.
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