I was going to tell you about my life and my career but I figured that would be too long, so I decided to delete it, cut the long story short and help you spot the leakages in your job application process based on my opinion.
First, I know people say you must know somebody to get a job but I beg to differ. You don’t need to know anyone. Your CV just has to let your personality shine through it.
So you need a job, you see an ad or posting calling for application with instructions on what you need to do. The first thing you need to do is read and understand the job, job role and how it fits into your career goals.
The first mistake I see people make is “seek a job without a clear career goal”. I know it’s often nice to just come out on school and aspire to make money and people may say a career goal is “idealistic” but it honestly puts things in perspective for you.
It makes your motivation clear. Are you doing this for the money, for the experience, for the network or for other reasons? You need to be clear. This will help you figure out your priorities. Now that you have figured out your priority what next?
I think this is a good time to drop this disclaimer: if you are not going to read this thread to the end don’t start. If you don’t agree, argue intelligently. This is totally based on my opinion after reviewing over 1000 cvs.
The reason you’ve not been called for that job revolve around 3 things:
1. Your application
2. Pre-interview activities
3. Your Interview(s)
YOUR APPLICATION
1. After an ad with the job role and email had been shared, you sent a mail asking about more information or saying “I’m interested” and during that time over 20 people has submitted their own CVs. It is a survival of the fittest type thing. You can’t be too slow.
2. You sent an email without subject or body (just attachment). This type of mails end up in the recycle bin when there is a sea of candidates.
3. You wrote PFA as the body of the email, or JOB Application as the subject of the mail.
You need to be as specific as possible and the body of your email needs to make sense and sell you. It needs to inspire me to care about the CV
4. Lengthy CVs.
If you are at entry level, utilise tables with invisible borders to crunch information like education and all. Keep it to 1 page, 2 pages at most. Put only what is relevant.
5. Typos.
Read through your CV and email as many times as possible. Be meticulous
6. No Relevant Experience.
Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for.
7. Dormancy.
Always do something. Dormant years rub on people in a not so nice way. Just find something doing, even if it’s free.
8. Internet Cafe CV.
Template word CV, nothing special. It just looks like everybody’s own. That’s often boring. It takes one thing to catch people’s attention. Let your strengths reflect through your CV
9. Inappropriate Documents.
You can’t be a graphic designer and send only Microsoft word CVs. You need a portfolio. Something to show your work. Ensure you send this document
PRE-INTERVIEW
10. Not picking or returning calls.
Chances are you don’t have the number saved. Call back if you missed a call from a strange number or if you are having network failures. Send a text. Don’t unlook.
11. Unnecessary Lies and Excuses.
If you missed the call, don’t craft a lie or start giving excuses, it shows incompetence. Nobody will kill you, just call back.
12. Your social media attitude/page is not palatable.
Recruiters check the social media pages of their applicants. It’s possible you may have insulted the HR or a recruiter on social media. Be responsible on social media
13. None of your social media accounts reflects your expertise.
Depending on your industry Social media can work to your advantage. If it’s fashion and your IG is highly curated or LinkedIn is informative, you may have the upper hand. This works in reverse too.
YOUR INTERVIEW
14. You look unkept or unappealing.
When you show up for an interview, your appearance is your first impression and you get judged by that before you even open your mouth. Look good. Don’t over do it.
15. You are uncomfortable.
If the weather is hot and you are wearing 3 pcs suit or a tight shoe or heavy makeup, chances are you’ll be uncomfortable, probably sweaty and this will affect your concentration and body language. Try to dress well but pay attention to comfort.
16. Body or mouth odour
It is pretty difficult to concentrate as a recruiter when you are putting in all your effort to mask the discomfort you feel because of an odour emanating from a human. Please help your recruiters. Smell good. Put effort. Use tooth paste and mouth wash.
17. Choking perfume.
I know I said you should smell good but don’t choke people with your perfume. Chances are the person may be choking. Keep it light, sweet and clean.
18. Chewing Gum and Phone Calls.
In the presence of your interviewer, Before or during an interview, please, put your phone on silent. Don’t take notes with your phone (it would come across as though you’re chatting). Spit Out the gum before the interview.
19. You don’t know your interviewer.
Research your interviewer. If you can’t study them. People are different. Some people like you to brag, some want you humble, some like numbers, others like story or even gist. Pay attention.
20. Your self esteem and personality are absent.
Culture fit often ranks higher than skill in some private companies but generally, if your recruiter can connect with you, you’ll get the job. Be confident, sell yourself and be true to who you are
21. You don’t know enough about the company.
Research the company. Ask questions. Don’t go there blind. Be informed
22. You are not proactive or solution driven.
Find a problem within the company (a smart one) and solve it. It could also be a suggestion. Eg I noticed the about us page is not opening or the company’s SEO could be better
23. You’re not nice to people except the interviewer.
Be nice to everyone including the gateman. You don’t know whose review could be taken into account.
24. You jam talk.
You bad mouth your previous employers, team members, family members etc. You don’t need to talk out of point. Focus
25. Unintelligent Questions.
Ask smart questions that concern your job roles or working conditions.
26. Unrealistic, Unintelligent or Desperate Negotiation.
Be very smart about this one. Don’t pull off a @frankdonga_ on this one. Research industry salary range. Be smart and diplomatic. Don’t sell yourself short.
27. Desperation.
Most interviewers can smell desperation. It reeks. Be calm and confident not desperate
28. After the interview, be careful what you say on social media.
Be careful what you say in your follow up email. Be polite and kind at all times even if you are declined.
As I said earlier it is not compulsory to have someone in a company to get a job. Make friends, network, tell the world that you’re looking for a job, share vital content to show your knowledge about that industry. Be valuable. Be indispensable.
Finally, you are not just a job seeker or employee, you are an entrepreneur. You are your product and your skills are your service. Every interview is a pitch and your salary is your revenue. You are your business. Never forget this
Don’t fall for “if you don’t build your dreams, others will use you to build theirs”. We are all building each other’s dreams except of course you don’t have one. We will always build each other’s dreams because no one is an island
Full credit : Blessing Abeng
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