Job Applicants Cover Letter Application Make Hiring Reviewing

A job application is an applicant's "first impression on" (the way that one is initially perceived or seen by) the "hiring manager" (the person who is responsible for deciding who will get a job), so it must be perfect. Unfortunately, many job applicants make mistakes in their application.

Many job applicants "fail to" (do not) follow the application instructions included in the job description. For example, the instructions might "state" (say) that applicants should include their "salary history" (information about how much money one was paid for work in the past) or "contact information" (telephone, email address and/or mailing address) for three references. If an application does not include this information, the hiring manager may "eliminate" (no longer consider) that applicant, even if he or she is "otherwise" (in other ways) very well qualified for the job, because that applicant was unable to follow the instructions.

Other job applicants make the mistake of sending a "generic" (not specific or not changed to a particular job or organization) resume and "cover letter" (a one-page letter sent with one's application). If the resume and cover letter don't specifically "address" (talk about) how the applicant is qualified for that particular job, or why the individual wants to work for that particular company, the hiring manager might "overlook" (not pay enough attention to) that application. Also, a generic cover letter shows that the applicant didn't "take the time" (use very much time) to learn about the company.

Even worse, some applicants have "typos" (typing mistakes) in their cover letter, or they forget to change some important part of the cover letter. For example, applicants might forget to change the job title if they are "adapting" (using something old for new purpose) a cover letter that they have used before. This is definitely not the way to make a good first impression on the hiring manager.