Making the right impression is vital when searching for a job. You want recruiters to know you’re professional and would be an asset to their company. That being said, here are some of the top mistakes that make you look unprofessional and should be avoided at all costs.
Typos or Grammar Errors on Your Resume
This is one of the most common mistakes and can be an instant deal breaker. In a recruiter’s eyes, blatant errors like this indicate carelessness and you’re likely to make mistakes on the job. You need to be meticulous with your resume and reread it several times to make sure there are absolutely no errors. You may also want to use a free tool like Grammarly to double-check it for you.
Using “Funky” Fonts
Some job seekers are tempted to use funky fonts because they’re more likely to stand out to employers. While this is often true, it’s unlikely to bring you the kind of attention you want. Instead, many recruiters will disregard you as being unprofessional. Although it may seem boring, most experts agree you should stick with conventional fonts like Arial and Times New Roman and let your qualifications help you stand out.
Not Responding Promptly to Communication
Time is of the essence when communicating with a potential employer. If they email you about setting up an interview, it’s important you respond quickly showing you appreciate the opportunity and respect their time. The quicker the better, but 24 hours is usually considered the absolute longest it should take you to reply.
Being Unprepared for an Interview
You can’t always control how well an interview will go; however, you can control how much you prepare for it. Failure to do this will likely leave a recruiter with a negative impression and greatly reduce your chances of landing a job.
While there’s a lot that goes into interview preparation, here is some advice from Princeton University:
- Research the company and the position
- Have responses ready for common interview questions
- Plan what you’re going to wear
- Plan what you’re going to bring (e.g., copies of your resume and portfolio)
- Work on practicing proper body language
Professionalism is essential for performing a job search. Making sure you don’t commit these mistakes should help you make the right impression and build a connection with recruiters.
Looking to accelerate your job search and find rewarding opportunities? Get in touch with Encadria Staffing Solutions today.