Why You’re Not Getting Interviews, Part 2

Here are five more mistakes people make when they’re looking for a job. Check all your materials and your job hunting strategy to make sure you’re avoiding these.

6. Your application materials aren’t perfect
Submitting an application that contains typos and grammatical errors is perhaps the quickest way to hinder your chances of securing an interview. In fact, 84 percent of executives polled in a recent survey said it takes just one or two errors to remove a candidate from consideration. The reason: These types of mistakes show a lack of professionalism and attention to detail. Make sure to carefully proofread your resume prior to submitting it and ask a friend or family member to do the same.

7. You don’t know whom to send send your resume to
Though it’s fine to start your cover letter with the generic salutation “To Whom It May Concern,” hiring managers pay special attention to applications that are addressed directly to them. If the job ad doesn’t include the hiring manager’s name, call the company and speak to the receptionist or a member of the person’s department. More often than not, you can obtain the information fairly easily if you’re candid about your reason for wanting it.

8. You don’t have an “in” with the company
Using the name of a common contact to make the connection between you and the hiring manager is by far the best way to ensure your cover letter and resume get optimal attention. So keep in touch with members of your professional network. You never know who has a contact at the company you hope to work for.

9. You don’t follow up
One way to improve the odds that a hiring maanger gives consideration to your resume is to follow up with him/her. According to a recent survey, 86 percent of executives said job seekers should contact a hiring manager within two weeks of sending a resume and cover letter. Often a brief phone call or e-mail reasserting your interest in the position and strong qualifications is enough.

10. You’re not as qualified as you think
The bottom line may be that you’re simply not as perfect for the job as you think. Before submitting your resume, take a close look at the job description and compare your skills and experience with those required for the position. If the job calls for five years of retail management experience and you have only two, you might not be as qualified as other applicants. While sometimes it’s possible to make up for skills gaps if you excel in other areas, hiring managers frequently have specific criteria in mind, and they use it to determine whom they call for interviews.

By avoiding common pitfalls, you can improve your chances of landing a job interview. Often something small (fixing a typo, for example) makes all the difference.