Finding and applying for a job is stressful. From uploading your resume to filling out a form that asks for all the information on your resume, the process can be quite taxing for those on a never-ending job hunt.
Still, the importance of nailing the job application cannot be overstated. After all, it represents your only chance at a first impression with a potential employer, and with the little space you have, you really want to make sure you’re showcasing the best of yourself from a professional standpoint.
With all that pressure, the last thing you want to do is mess it up with a silly mistake, which is why we’ve outlined some of the things you want to avoid when it comes to filling out your job application.
How Important Is a Good Job Application?
If you’re here, reading this guide, it’s safe to assume that you know how important it is to nail the job application if you want a chance at the position. Still, it never hurts to get a little statistical refresher on why you’re working so hard to perfect your job application before you send it out to a potential company.
For starters, one study found that 75% of job applications are rejected before they even make it to a hiring manager. In all likelihood, the applications that include the things we’ve listed below are getting tossed in the bin without someone in charging even getting a look at it.
This just in! View
the top business tech deals for 2024 👨💻
On top of that, professional written resumes and job applications can lead to as much as a 7% earning boost for those that get hired. So not only are you improving your chances of getting hired, but you’re also increasing your future salary.
Suffice to say, there are plenty of reasons why getting the job application right is important for your search, which is why avoiding the mistakes below can go a long way in finding you a job in 2024.
Things to Never Include on a Job Application
Now that you know how important a job application is to actually secure the interview, it’s time to go over some of the things you absolutely need to avoid when filling it out. Here are the things you should never include on a job application.
Irrelevant information
Yes, job applications often ask for your employment history, but they’re not asking for your entire employment history. If you’re applying for a job as a data scientist at a top tech firm, for example, you can safely leave off that summer you worked at McDonald’s from the application. Really, any jobs that don’t at least indirectly showcase a skill that could benefit your chances of being hired, you can leave on the cutting room floor.
That goes for hobbies, interests, and even awards, too. You may be proud of the 35 hot dogs you ate at the Illinois State Fair in 2005, but there’s no need to include that decidedly irrelevant information on your job application unless you’re applying to be a food tester for Oscar Meyer.
Oh, and everyone is proficient in Microsoft Office at this point, you can safely take that one off the job application before you submit.
Errors
Spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and incorrect information are a serious momentum killer on any job application, particularly if you have “attention to detail” on your list of key skills.
To be fair, no one means to include errors in a job application, but they naturally happen. The best way to make sure you don’t end up submitting a job application with these kinds of errors is to check your work. A single readthrough before you hit submit could go a long way in securing you the job interview.
High/low salary expectations
Salary expectations is everyone’s least favorite part of the job application, but there’s a lot riding on your answer. Obviously, you want to be paid a fair wage, but what does the hiring manager think is an acceptable answer?
Your best bet is to be as honest as possible on this one. Obviously don’t undervalue yourself or input a salary that will put you in a financial bind, but try to avoid going overboard, as that will likely get your application thrown in the trash.
Finding a Job in 2024
We’ll be the first to admit that finding a job in 2024 is no walk in the park. With the lengthy interview process, low salaries, and fewer remote positions by the day, it’s understandable that many applicants have grown wary of the process altogether.
Fortunately, there are some options out there and Tech.co is here to help. For one, we regularly update our remote job guides for companies like Google and Microsoft, so you can enjoy some work-from-home flexibility while still employed at a top tech firm.
Beyond that, we also showcase some helpful tools that can get you hired, like professional headshot generators and helpful interview tips. Hopefully, these tools can help you land that dream job you’ve been after, good luck!
