5 Mistakes You’re Probably Making When Applying For A New Job (Plus Pro Tips!)

Applying for a new job can be a strange mixture of tedium, stress and excitement. Some jobseekers are lucky and manage to bag an interview after only applying for a few roles, while for others, the process can stretch on for weeks or months. If you’re not hearing back from any of the jobs you apply for, chances are, you might be making some simple mistakes, which we’ll be exploring right here. 

Common Jobseeker Mistakes

1. You use the same CV every time

Even though you’re probably applying for a lot of similar jobs, no two roles are ever truly the same. Let’s say you’re applying for positions in different companies within the same industry. While there might be some overlap in the required skills and qualifications, each company is unique in its values, company culture, and specific needs. Read the job description carefully, pick out key words and phrases you think are most important, and be sure to highlight these on your CV. There might also be aspects of your past work experience that fit the role you’re applying for which you haven’t previously mentioned – now’s the time to emphasise it!

Pro tip: Each time you amend your CV, be sure to file it somewhere safe, clearly labelled with the employer, sector and any other important details. That way, when a similar role comes up, you’ll easily be able to refer to the most relevant version of your CV to save time. If you’re applying for roles though LinkedIn, it’s worth knowing that the platform lets you save up to four different versions of your CV (time for other job boards to catch up, if you ask us).

2. Your CV is incomplete

You might not believe us, but if we’ve seen it once, we’ve seen it a million times – a surprising number of candidates forget to add crucial information to their CVs such as contact details, dates of employment, and qualifications. These seemingly minor omissions create a poor first impression and raise serious red flags about your attention to detail. A complete CV is not just about listing your experiences; it’s about presenting a comprehensive and accurate picture of your professional journey. If any part of that journey is missing, you’ll be very lucky not to lose out to another candidate.

Pro tip: When formatting your CV, don’t just wing it. There’s a huge number of resources out there to help you accurately format your CV, which may vary depending on your industry. CV Library has an amazing range of templates for a variety of industries and sectors, and even covers personal circumstances such as career breaks and unemployment. You should also get your CV checked by a trusted recruiter to ensure you aren’t missing anything important!

3. Your application doesn’t reflect your online personal brand

These days, it’s common for recruiters and employers to look you up on social media to try to find out a little more about the real ‘you’ before deciding if you’re suitable for the role – sometimes known as ‘social media screening’. This serves a twin purpose: to uncover any red flags that you might not be suitable for the job, and to gain additional insights into your personal and professional persona. What you post, share, and engage with online can provide glimpses into your communication style, problem-solving skills, and how you handle disagreements or controversies. To make the most of this opportunity, consider curating your social media presence thoughtfully. Showcase your industry expertise through LinkedIn, share content that demonstrates your enthusiasm for your field, and engage in respectful discussions. It’s also a good idea to ensure your privacy settings are appropriately configured to maintain a balance between your personal life and your professional image. Remember, your online personal brand is an additional chance to bolster your candidacy by presenting a consistent and appealing image that complements the qualifications and traits you’ve outlined in your applications.

Pro tip: LinkedIn is your most powerful tool when it comes to honing your personal brand online. List your skills, ask for reviews and endorsements from people you’ve worked with in the past, and make sure your job history is thorough and up to date. You might also make use of some of LinkedIn’s lesser-known features such as turning on creator mode to showcase your most popular posts, and taking skills assessments to demonstrate your knowledge. You can check out our complete guide to finessing your personal brand on LinkedIn right here.

4. Overusing ChatGPT or Bard

We’re all for getting a little help from AI with job applications – after all, if the tools are there, you may as well make the most of them. However, using generative AI to write CVs or cover letters in their entirety is a serious mistake. Not only will your content be generic and not tailored to your skills, experiences or the job at hand, you’ll also run the risk of your application coming across as impersonal or lacking authenticity. Remember, while AI can provide a starting point or suggest ideas, it doesn’t have the personal touch and deep understanding of your background that you do. Employers and hiring managers are also increasingly swamped with AI-generated job applications, so giving yours the human touch will ensure you stand out for all the right reasons.

Pro tip: Instead of using AI to write content for you, use it as a tool to help you refine and polish your writing. AI can be an invaluable proofreading assistant, ensuring your application materials are well-crafted and mistake-free. That way, you maintain the balance between harnessing AI’s capabilities and infusing your own voice into your job applications.

5. Not partnering with a recruiter

Who wants to spend all day scouring job boards when instead, you could work with an expert to find the right role for you? Working with a recruiter has numerous benefits:

• You’ll have access to roles that are exclusive to the agency, and won’t be advertised anywhere else online.
• You’ll have an expert on hand to look through your CV to ensure you’ve accurately captured your skills and experiences, and haven’t made any avoidable errors.
• Your recruiter will be able to speak with potential employers on your behalf to emphasise your skills, experience and suitability for the role.
• You’ll have someone on hand to manage and oversee the interview process.
• If you don’t get a role you’ve been put forward for, your recruiter will be on hand to give feedback and let you know how to improve next time.
• You’ll have someone in your corner to advocate for you when negotiating a salary and benefits package.

Pro tip: If you’re ready to make your career dreams a reality, we’ve hundreds of positions available in industries such as accountancy, human resources, marketing and digital, IT, and many more. Alternatively, you can search all our positions here, or register with us.