10 COMMON MISTAKES JOB-SEEKERS MAKE

You are determined to land the choicest job but the route to success can be fraught with pitfalls. Some job-seekers
unwittingly commit obvious blunders which can jeopardise their chances of getting the job.

Many fall into the trap of glossing over less pleasant facts – from having been sacked from their previous jobs to
having taken long breaks from work to why they are late for an interview.

Here, according to the experts, are the some of the more common mistakes that job-seekers make. Take heed!

1. INADEQUATE JOB SEARCHING

Some job-seekers just wait for ads to appear in the papers or hope their friends will look out for vacancies
for them.
You should use your contacts and call up human resource departments of companies to ask about job
opportunities. Or send unsolicited applications to register your interest in the company

2. INSUFFICIENT INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND CONTACTS

A lack of knowledge of the industry and the company shows up easily in the application letter and the
interview.
Doing your homework says you are well prepared for and have a genuine interest in the job.
Take the initiative to make friends with those in similar positions in the industry to find out what the job
entails.
Suss out the workings of the industry from annual reports or attend talks or meetings held by the companies.

3. IGNORANCE OF THE JOB’S PRE-REQUISITES

Job-seekers often neglect the qualifications and experience spelled out clearly in the advertisement. Some
want to give a shot anyway, despite missing the requirements by a mile. This wastes both the applicant’s and
the employer’s time.
Read the requirements carefully, and apply only if you stand a good chance.

4. POORLY WRITTEN APPLICATION LETTERS AND RESUMES

There is much room for error where these documents are concerned.
Some mistakes to be avoided at all costs: using the same cover letter for different positions or, worse still,
sending photocopies of it so that it reads like a mass-mail campaign; spelling errors; outdated and
unpolished language; insufficient descriptions and dates of past job experiences or, worse, an outdated CV;
forgetting to sign the cover letter or include your contact number.
The cover letter may be handwritten but only if your handwriting is neat and legible. If it is not, type it. No
prospective employer wants to spend time deciphering your squiggles.

5. IRRELEVANT INFORMATION
Relating your academic and work history in the cover letter makes reading it tedious.
Instead, use the letter to sell your suitability for the position and the company.
Don’t have it longer than a single A4 size paper. If the reader needs details, he will refer to the CV.
Also, don’t enclose copies of all your certificates and testimonials from school principals dating back 20
years. These can be verified at the interview.

6. TARDINESS
It sounds very obvious, but late applications do not stand much of a chance of getting read.
Try getting them in within 10 days of the advertisement.
 Most important, don’t turn up late for an interview. Many employers say they are put off by applicants who
say they are late because they went to the wrong address or got lost.
If you are not familiar with the address, phone the company a day ahead to ask for directions.
If you really can not help being late, give the company prior notice and a good reason.

7. INAPPROPRIATE DRESSING AND GROOMING

For a woman, the clothes and make-up can be either too casual or too fussy for the job. You should look
smart but never over-dressed.
A man has it slightly easier. The basic slacks, long-sleeved shirt, tie and shoes should serve well. No nos are
socks that don’t match the trousers, and unkempt hair.

8. OVERSELLING
Trying too hard to impress the interviewer can come across as boasting or, worse, lying. By all means sell
yourself confidently but refrain from exaggerating.

9. UNDERSELLING
The polar opposite of overselling means that the interviewer will get a warped picture of you.
It doesn’t pay to sound humble here or conceal your achievements. And don’t hope that the interviewer will
probe.
Bring up past achievements and contributions while discussing your suitability for the job.
If you have taken time off to do missionary work or tour the world, say so. The interviewer may be
impressed at least by your honesty.

10. FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON SALARY

Spending valuable minutes with the interviewer discussing remuneration, salary scales and increment
policies won’t do.
Neither should you inflate your current pay in the hope of being offered more. Your actual pay can be easily
found out.
Turn your attention to the nature of the work, your expectations of the new company, etc.
Phrase your questions tactfully. If necessary, prepared yourself a day before the interview by listing down
questions that you would like answered on a piece of paper.
Carry the paper with you and refer to it during the interview if necessary. Your interview may be impressed
by your preparedness.
In any case, it is good strategy to ask at least a few questions. Most interviewers would consider this as a
sign of initiative.
If you really don’t have any questions to ask, say so and add that you have learned all that you need to know
from the interview.
Absolutely taboo is prolonging the interview by asking inane questions or with idle chatter.

EVA WONG
NEW WORDS
- To land: giành được
- Fraught with (adj): đầy cái gì
- Pitfall (n): nguy hiểm hay khó khăn
- Unwittingly một cách không có chủ tâm
- Blunder (n): sai lầm ngớ ngẩn
- Jeopardise (v): gây hại, hủy hoại, gây nguy hiểm
- Take heed of sth: cẩn thận xem xét để hành động cho phù hợp
- Unsolicitied (adj): gửi một cách tự nguyện, không có yêu cầu
- Suss out (v): hiểu tường tận
- Entail (v): đòi hỏi
- Pre-requisite (n): điều kiện tiên quyết
- By a mile: nhiều
- Room for sth (n): cơ hội
- Decipher (v): giải mã
- Squiggle (n): chữ viết ngoằn ngoèo, nguệch ngoạc
- Tedious (adj): mệt mỏi vì quá dài dòng, chậm chạp, buồn tẻ
- Testimonial (n): giấy chứng nhận
- Put off (v): chán ghét, không bằng lòng
- Unkempt (adj): rối bù
- Oversell (v): khoe khoang (quá mức) >< undersell: khiêm tốn quá
- Fussy (adj): rườm rà
- No-no (n): điều cấm kỵ
- Refrain (v): tự kiềm chế không làm gì
- Increment (n): sự gia tang; increment policy: chính sách tăng lương
- Probe (v): điều tra
- Preparedness (n): vật đã được chuẩn bị
- Taboo (n): điều cấm kỵ
- Inane (adj): vô nghĩa, ngu ngốc
- Idle (adj): vô nghĩa, vô giá trị
- Chatter (n): nói chuyện huyên thuyên