What not to do
In can be tough to give job hunters everything they need before sending in an application, showing up for an interview or even starting a first day at a new position. Perhaps, the easiest thing to do is share a few things that will most certainly shoot a candidate right in the foot before they’ve even gotten a fair shake. If you’re sitting around wondering why that dream job never called you back or even why your stay at a new company was shorter than expected, you might want to take a look at these mistakes and bad habits, followed by a quick trip down memory lane.Assume they need you more than you need the job Whether in the interview or even after you’ve started, keep in mind that you’re the one who’s unemployed or unhappy at your current position. Hiring somebody in today’s job market is like shooting fish in a barrel. You may indeed be the most talented candidate, but respect is something that’s earned over time. On your first day, you shouldn’t be above any task your supervisor asks of you.Send a generic cover letter Or even worse no cover letter at all. HR departments are constantly bombarded with resumes for opening. Whether you’re applying for a top-level management job or to be a weekend clerk at your local convenience store, don’t send in a resume without a cover letter. A generic cover letter does very little to advance your chances as a potential hire (aside from demonstrate your willing to write a paragraph or two, which is more than no cover letter says). A well-tailored cover letter, on the other hand, is just another asset by which you can distinguish yourself from the masses, showing you’ve researched the position, have a genuine interest and have given legitimate thought towards working there, not just submitted a shot in the dark application.Mail/e-mail a resume/cover letter without proofreading Have a friend or professor look over it if grammar and spelling isn’t your strong suit. If you have typos or spelling errors on your resume, employers may worry it’s a sign of sloppy job performance to come. This is your chance to make a good first impression. Careless isn’t what you’re going for. This goes for your first few assignments as well. No one wants to think they’ll spend the next few months of their life looking over the new guy’s shoulder.