job position

Applying for a new job position is one of the most exciting times in your professional career – it can also be stressful. Many job seekers give up on applying for very lucrative job positions for a variety of personal reasons, including anxiety or lack of self-confidence.

Based on published data, 73% of job seekers only passively look for work, with 60% quitting in the middle of a job application altogether. You may be the perfect candidate for a job you saw online, but without putting in the effort to write your CV, it won’t matter.

To find the job position you will be passionate about for years to come, you have to fight for it. Let’s see what you can do to avoid common job application mistakes when you look for your next career opportunity.

Perks of Avoiding Job Application Mistakes

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that many other people will apply for the same job position as you. Depending on the industry you want to establish a career in, there will always be a plethora of opportunities to pursue there.

For example, as a graphic designer, you can diversify and apply for web design, UI design, and brand design positions very easily. Just because there is competition in the marketplace doesn’t mean that your employment search should be abandoned.

Adopt a more positive outlook on the process and you will have a much easier time establishing your presence on the job market. Here’s what you can expect when you approach job position applications more carefully:

  • Discover new and exciting job positions you didn’t know are there
  • Leave a more positive impression on employers and recruiters
  • Stand out from your peers and receive more lucrative job offers
  • Spend far less time looking for work than you would otherwise

Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Job Positions

1. Poorly Formatted and Presented CV

The first major issue most job seekers make is that they improperly write their CVs. There is a right way, and a wrong way, to write a good CV. Many people assume that their skills will speak for them and that it doesn’t matter how the CV looks like. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Instead of using traditional text editors or unreliable online forms, you should use a professional CV builder. A dedicated CV builder built by HR professionals will help you present your skills, career plans, and personality far better than any other tool. This will bring you a step closer to the job position you want and help you attract the employers’ and recruiters’ attention.

2. Not Reading the Job Listing Carefully

Imagine applying for a job listing without reading it carefully – now imagine landing that job. Finding yourself in a position where you apply for work without actually reading the job listing isn’t a good idea. Don’t rush into job applications and give the process some time.

Truthfully, it will be weeks or even months before you find the ideal job position for your skillset and plans for the future. Don’t panic and read each job listing carefully to figure out exactly what the employer is looking for. Take the time to visit their website, read their mission statements, and look at their social media channels. You will spend months or years working for a particular company – you want to make sure that it’s the right one for you.

3. Applying for Only One Job Position

If you want to find the perfect job for your skills and talents, you need to apply for more than one position at a time. Applying for only one job position won’t help you achieve your career goals. Instead, you will spend a lot of time waiting for employers to answer to you with a “yes” or a “no”.

In the case of the latter, you’ve just spent weeks waiting, weeks which could have been spent applying for more lucrative job offers. Make it a habit to apply for several job positions a day instead. Dedicate a few hours of your time each day to browsing through and applying to interesting job positions. The right employer will get back to you with a positive answer before you know it.

4. Uploading an Unflattering Picture of Yourself

When someone takes a look at your CV, the first thing they’re likely to look at will be your picture. You want to make sure that you look professional, reliable, and trustworthy in it.

Avoid using low-quality images taken from social media and awkwardly cropped group photos. Use your graduation photos or those from identification documents instead. You can also visit your local photographer and have a professional portrait photo taken for a bargain. Applying for a job position with a poor photo will leave a bad impression. Don’t risk losing a potentially amazing job just because you used a poor picture in your CV.

5. Providing Employers with Wrong Data

It’s especially important to be mindful of your grammar and proofreading when applying for a job. This goes double if you look for work abroad and transcribe your personal information from another language into English. You can consult a professional translator or use dedicated tools to properly translate your personal information before placing it into your CV.

Likewise, it’s a great idea to go over your spelling and proofreading so that potential employers don’t come across minute mistakes. Making a single mistake may be okay, but making any more than that will make you appear unprofessional and unreliable. This is doubly true if you apply for positions related to copywriting, content management, or translation. Make sure that the information you’ve added to your CV is correct and check all of your contact information before calling it a day.

6. Waiting for Employers to Come to You

A critical error in applying for a job position is thinking that the employers will come to you instead. While you may be an expert with years of valuable experience under your belt, you should still apply for work personally.

Judging by recent reports, 89% of HR professionals found “few to no” highly skilled employees for their job positions on their own. Your professional network can only do so much for you and potential employers won’t know you’re available without you telling them. Go out of your way to publish your CV on a professional platform where reliable, lucrative job opportunities are bound to appear.

Looking for your Next Job Opportunity (Conclusion)

Finding a great job doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow the tips we’ve outlined and you will have a much easier time landing a job opportunity you’ll enjoy.

Employers and recruiters are people just like you are – they will give it their best to weigh your skills and talents fairly. Help them do so by writing a good CV instead of rushing through the process.

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