Job Application Red Flags

Would you walk up to a stranger and just stand there in complete silence?

It would be awkward right?! That is exactly what happens when you apply for a job and send a blank email with only your CV attached. It forms part of the list of hiring red flags as shared below.

With limited time to read emails and go through CVs - On average, the person looking at your application gives it 6 seconds – Recruiters don’t want to filter and disregard CVs, but time is of the essence when you have over 500 applications to go through every day.

Recruiters and hiring managers look for early signs or red flags when going through applications. Don’t do the following if you want to survive the 6 second CV scan:

·        Only attaching your CV and leaving your email blank. Did you even try? Attaching your resume with no words written in your email makes me feel that you’re probably sending your resume around to hundreds of companies hoping to see if one bites. This is probably the most important red flag. A CV sent with no reference will most likely never land you an interview.

·        Your email lacks clarity. You don’t have to write a short story, just briefly share about yourself, any accomplishments or achievements and how you could contribute. Like all great stories, deliver the punch line in as a few words as possible.

·        Applying with no subject line – Your email message needs a subject line. If you leave the subject blank, the email is probably going to end up in a spam mailbox or be deleted. Make sure you list the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email message, so the employer knows what job you are applying for.

·        Start your email with “To Whom It May Concern” or “Sir/Madam.” The formalist of the formal greetings. This tells me you didn’t research our company and you don’t value a personal touch.

·        A major spelling mistake. Your introduction email might be your only shot, make sure it’s perfect.

·        Not following instructions when applying. This shows that you did not pay attention to the ad or did not even read the whole description. If you are instructed to send your CV with a photo or a summary of experience, do just that, leaving that out will get your CV moved to the "later" folder.

·        Sending an email with a link to your online CV. This is a big no – It creates an extra step and no one wants to open random links. Plus, 90% of the time the CV is password protected so it cannot be opened by the reader.

With the red flags listed above, I hope this sheds some light on what Recruiters and other companies might be looking for (and what not) in an application.

Keep it short. Share accomplishments. Be creative. Be human.

For a free CV review email your CV to [email protected] or visit our LinkedIn page at https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/jsrh-solutions