Applying for a job is not an easy task. You need to follow certain guidelines to get the position you’re eying. These guidelines may not be absolute, but they are applicable in most cases. When coupled with the right packaging and the necessary job hunting skills, your credentials will lead you to your dream job.

The real problem here is that job applicants often commit mistakes that they deem acceptable, if not entirely appropriate. If you really want to succeed in manning that post, you should be careful not to do any of the items on this list. Here are the sure-fire ways of failing your job applications, which you should avoid unless you want to be a professional bum.

1. Use pink ink and paper for printing your resume.

Real-life is no Legally Blonde. You do not want to create the wrong impression by submitting a pop-up resume or a cover letter on a scented paper.

Your resume and cover letter should instead be printed on quality, white bond paper, while the texts should be in black ink only. You also need to be consistent in your choice of font and in your formatting, in general.

There are some cases when the HR department of a company prefers a creative resume, but these businesses are mostly limited to advertising and other related fields. If you’re unsure if a multi-colored resume is allowed, err on the safe side.

2. Write an overly-detailed, 10-page resume.

Details are essential in resumes and employers prefer to know them outright from your resume. However, providing an enormous amount of detail that exceeds their attention-threshold won’t do you any good.

The hard and fast rule is for you to include only the most significant points in your profile. Every additional explanation and secondary accomplishments should be reserved for the interview; at times, they could even be overshadowed by your bigger accomplishments.

3. Attach your MySpace picture to your resume.

It is common for job applicants to attach the photos they use for their blog sites, personal web pages, and online dating sites because they think they look cute in those shots.

It is true that some employers really value physical appearance, especially for positions in which you have to deal with different people all the time. In the end, though, you don’t want to be judged based on your looks.

Your resume photo should fuse two factors: vibrancy and professionalism. See to it that you look fresh and well-rested in the photos and that you exude a positive aura. Choose clothes that make you look smart, rather than like a celebrity. It is a good idea to invest in a professional photographer to take your picture, rather than taking your own using a webcam or what have you.

4. Wear a neon shirt and stark-contrast tie.

Strive to stand-out from the rest of the applicants, but not by wearing clothes that are too loud or experimental. Of course, this also depends on the industry that you want to be part of. Unless you’re applying to be the assistant of a fashion icon or editor of a chic magazine, it’s best to suppress your not-so-safe fashion statement.

Again, trying to look professional is the key to entering the corporate world. Choose your wardrobe wisely. In most cases, men are expected to wear dark slacks and pastel long-sleeve polos with a complementing tie. As for the ladies, a skirted suit is a better option than a pantsuit. Be careful when choosing stripes and patterned tops.

5. Bring your mom with you.

It is not uncommon for job applicants, especially new graduates, to bring a parent with them perhaps for moral support and road guidance.

It doesn’t always have to be their mom or dad; at times, it’s their special someone or a friend they can’t live without. As if that’s not enough, they sometimes introduce their company to the interviewee as a sign of respect.

Just a piece of advice: stop being a baby. There is nothing wrong with bringing in some company, but at least have the decency to make them stay somewhere the interviewer won’t see them. You can perhaps make them wait in a nearby cafe. An accompanying parent is just a little too much for a smart, responsible, and totally independent job candidate.

6. Greet the interviewer with a hug and a kiss.

A job interview is not a party, where you meet your closest friends and give them a warm embrace. Being touchy and clingy is a big no-no in the corporate world.

Oftentimes, a firm handshake before and after the interview is enough to show your sincerity. In cultures in which physical contact is minimal, a greeting may be enough. Going to the extremes of hugging or kissing your interviewer will result in awkwardness and ultimately, your rejection, no matter how hot you think you are.

7. Talk about your personal life during the interview.

If you haven’t been in a job interview, this statement will define it for you: an interview is far from being the Oprah Winfrey Show. The goal of having an interview is to measure your skills and qualifications against the requirements of a vacant position. At times, there may be a separate session to assess your personality’s fitness for the job.

There are also instances when the interviewee inquires about your family background. If confronted with such a question, do not go into the details of your sibling rivalry and other family issues. The employer is likely expecting to learn of your parents’ career, your siblings’ current jobs, and other more relevant personal information.

8. Bitch about your past job.

It is a given that you are unhappy in your current job, so you don’t need to reiterate that fact by complaining to your interviewer. When asked about your reason for moving, say something like “I no longer find my current job challenging.”

Never trash-talk about how you think your job exploits you or how your boss makes your life miserable. This reflects your attitude towards work. What if you also find discontentment in your future job with them; will you do the same?

9. Inquire about the pay ASAP.

During the course of the interview, you may be tempted to ask how much you will get if you’re hired.

This is a valid concern, but you have to wait for the right time. Try not to make it appear like you want the job because of the financial compensation, even if it’s your main motivation.

In most cases, the employer will ask how much you’re expecting to get or how much are you paid in your current job. It often pays to be honest about your expectations. Towards the end of the interview and the funds concern hasn’t come up, you may inquire in a polite way when asked if you have questions.

10. Call the office every day for updates.

Interviewers are likely to give you a time frame in which they’ll contact you. While waiting for their call, never call their office for updates. It is also unwise to bug them about your job application if they fail to call. Perhaps a call once a week is acceptable.

Mistakes while applying for a job are inevitable, which makes it important to learn from your faults the first time you commit them. A single wrong move is sure to thin-out your chances of getting hired. If you intend to have a rewarding career in the future, then do away with any of the job application practices listed above.

 

Failing your job application is indeed a very tough thing when you need that job pronto, especially when you’re a teenager applying for the Part-Time Jobs. So avoid leaving a mess by getting to know the Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Resume.