Feb 25th 2021

7 common job application mistakes (and how to avoid them)

You’ve been applying to what seems like all the right jobs, with the right techniques but still no luck on getting hired. What’s the reason? There’s a high chance that you are making one of the most common job application mistakes. In today’s competitive job market, where only 2-3% of applicants on average will get a job interview, a typo is enough to knock you out of the running for a role. 

To make sure you get noticed for the right reasons, we have pulled together a list of common job application mistakes you should look out for. Read them, learn them, and avoid them so you never lose out on that dream job again. 

Common job application mistakes 

1. Getting the basics wrong 

Application processes can be long and drawn-out. Write this cover letter, answer these questions, fill out your work experience on this form, and so on. But if you fail to follow the instructions correctly, however minor it may seem, that’s already a red flag to the hiring manager. You will most likely find your application ending up on the “no pile”. 

2. Being too formal   

Back in the day, it might have been the done thing to address the hiring manager as “Dear Sir or Madam” in your cover letter. But when was the last time you actually addressed someone in that way? If you write “Dear Sir or Madam” you are more likely to get an eye roll than a head nod. The ideal cover letter uses warm and natural language so you should try to address the hiring manager directly by their name. Have a dig around and find this information out – it’s a small detail but can go a long way.

3. Typos are a big no!

Did you know all it takes is one spelling or grammar error to get your application thrown in the bin? If a typo isn’t the number one sin then it is certainly top five. But it’s not just about running spell checks. There are mistakes that Word won’t pick up as wrong. For example, that some points are in present tense, whilst others in the past. Or the difference between “you’re” and “your”. Check, double-check and check every word again on your application. You can even enlist your friends or family to help you proofread it before you send it out. 

4. Lack of research 

Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes – they’ve got hundreds of applications to get through in very little time. They have to make a quick but educated hiring decision. Hiring managers are going to pick the applicants that have taken the time to research the company and shown that in their application. It’s not just about reading the job description. Most companies have an in-depth “About us” section on their website to highlight their great company culture. Be sure to draw attention to their values in your application and how you align with them. 

5. Too much information 

Is your application overdone? It might seem like a good idea to just throw everything that you have done into your application – this is actually more likely to do more harm than good. Hiring managers spend between 6-8 seconds reading an application. They don’t have time to keep reading until they get to the juicy bits on why you are a good fit. So why talk about horse-riding if you are applying to work in marketing? Tell the hiring manager why you are qualified for the specific role, how your experience will add value, and don’t bombard them with irrelevant information. 

6. The passive voice 

Your CV should command attention succinctly. Rather than using the passive voice, make your achievements active. For example, “deliverables were hit prior to deadlines” – passive, versus “I hit my deliverables prior to deadlines” – active. The active voice forces you to use the first person, which is perfect as you should avoid referring to yourself in the third person at all times. Your application will hit home and be a lot more memorable if it has the energy that an active voice brings. 

7. Unprofessional email address 

We all had that email address when we were younger that was funny at the time, slightly cringe now, and totally unprofessional for a job application. With 76% of applications rejected because of an unprofessional email address, it is clear that fluffybunnies123@hotmail.com is not going to entice employers to hire you. In fact, there is a very high chance that it completely ruins your chances at landing the role. So take those few minutes to just make sure all the little details are in order to give yourself the best chance of nailing your application.  

It’s not easy applying for jobs. And quite often you are hit with rejection. But there is no reason why you should make it any harder for yourself with silly mistakes that are completely avoidable. 

You have put in all the effort and by making sure it is all perfect, there is no reason that you won’t land your dream job in no time. There are even a few extra steps you can take to really stand out to a potential employer. Take a look at our 7 examples of creative job applications to see how some candidates have gone that extra mile.