Job application errors at their highest in four years
According to recent research from HireRight, a worldwide background screening company for employers, inaccurate and embellished CVs and job applications are at their highest level since 2011, results show that;
63% of job applications in the first quarter of 2015 contained mistakes
36% of which had errors when outlining employment history
30% of the applications made false claims regarding qualifications, and the proportion of people lying about being a Director of a company has risen 40% compared to this time last year.
Submitting a job application with errors can be the pivotal factor between getting selected for interview or not. Here are some of the most common mistakes found in applications and how to avoid making them;
Spelling and Grammar; Create your application on a programme such as Word before posting or filling it in online, read the text carefully, check for any grammatical errors and ensure every word is spelt perfectly. If possible have someone else proof read your document before submittal. Attention to detail is essential.
Writing “see attached”; Employers will primarily be interested in your application so portray as much relevant information as possible even if it is duplicated on your attached CV. If you are submitting a CV always check that you have attached it before clicking ‘Send’.
Exaggerated skills and qualifications; Ensure that the information on your application and CV are honest and factually correct, highlight and front load the skills and experience most relevant to the target job. Employers and experts in the field of work you are applying for will be able to see through embellished experiences.
Submitting applications to the wrong person; Always check the vacancy advert to make sure you direct your application to the correct individual or department. If you are sending an attachment such as a CV ensure that it has been saved in the requested format and that the file name is specific to you, for example ‘Bill Gates CV.doc’ as opposed to ‘CV.doc’.
