by Cody Hodge

Created on: June 05, 2009

When you send in an application, there are things that you want to do in order to have your application read. On the other hand, there are things that will automatically get your application sent to the shredder. These things you don't want to do, but so many people tend to have these mistakes on the job application that they submit. I thought that most kids learned these things in middle school, or at least by high school, but here are some mistakes to avoid on your application.

Any words that are misspelled will automatically send your application to the shredder. There are some exceptions to this of course, and I know that where I work, most kids in high school will get interviewed regardless. However, do not misspell a word, it looks bad on the application. It basically says that you were too lazy to spell check, or to just look up the names of the places you are writing down. Most applications will only ask for a few addresses, and names of people. It isn't that hard, and so employers are expecting perfection.

Make sure that your job experience is relevant for the job that you are seeking. I know of some applications that hit the shredder because the job being sought was well outside the experience of the applicant. One applicant decided that one full-time job two years ago was good enough to ask to be upper management. After a good laugh, that application hit the shredder, and I'm sure that applicant didn't get a call back on that one.

Lack of details on the job application will generally get it denied. If you don't fill it out all the way, or don't state where you would like to work, you probably won't get called back. With the sheer number of applications that get put in, you have to make sure that all the details are filled in. Not completing the job application is just as bad as misspelling words, or not having the right experience. It just shows a lack of effort, and usually won't end up with you getting an interview.

People tend to try to be humorous on a job application. Unless you are applying to work at a comedy club, just keep it professional. Don't say things like you should be hired because you would be good for the company softball team. It isn't going to impress anyone, and it will usually just send your application to the shredder. Unless the hiring manager is in a laughing mood, he is going to want to see what you have done, not how much of a smart aleck you are.

When you are filling out an application, just remember that the details matter. It shows a lack of effort if you have poor spelling, or forget parts of the application. Don't be funny, silly, or anything other than professional. Just give the information that it asks for, and keep it to the facts. You want to get your foot in the door, and make a good first impression. You can't do that if you don't have these simple things down pat on your application.

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