5 reasons your job application is being overlooked
- LabourGains Staff
- Oct 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 27, 2023
Have you submitted more resumes than you can count, and have received nothing more than a generic, "thanks but no thanks", email in return? More likely than not, you're committing one of these cardinal sins, and not getting a fair shot as a result.
Recruiters spend thousands of hours screening resumes. The only way they can do this efficiently is to establish "non-negotiables" (ie. those skills, experiences, and education that are essential to even be considered for a role), and to understand red flags that indicate an applicant probably isn't right for the role.
If your resume contains any of these bug-a-boos, I can guarantee it isn't getting a second look:
A history of job-hopping - A pattern of staying at jobs less than 2 years is an immediate red flag. The last thing an employer wants to be is a stepping stone to your next better opportunity. On average they spend about $4000 to recruit, hire, and train you. The possibility that you will likely start applying for other jobs during your first week with them is not appealing.
Unexplained gaps in employment - Gaps between the end of an employment and the start of a new one indicate that you were fired; there may be a good reason behind the gap, but you would do well to explain those gaps or frequent employer changes in your cover letter or on your resume.
Poor formatting - An ugly resume is reason enough to not even review it. If you have a wall of text, spelling errors, or don't provide enough context, you may as well not apply at all. Depending on the position being hired for, recruiters can get anywhere from 100-300 applications over the course of 2 weeks. Don't give them a reason to bypass yours.
Failing to show that you possess the non-negotiables - Employers don't want it to be a secret what they're looking for; they post it in the job ad. On your resume, you need to show them that you check those boxes (at least their top 3-5 skills, education, and experience).
Using industry slang and acronyms - In most cases, the person that is screening your resume isn't the person you'll be working with. They are likely an HR nerd. Good recruiters do some research to familiarize themselves with core competencies, but offering an avalanche of acronyms, will not only not impress them, it will probably create some distaste for your resume. If it's mentioned in the job ad, mention it in your resume, if not, it's not necessary.
It's not rocket science, but it is important that you put in the effort on your resume to show a recruiter that you read the job ad, you are professional and approachable, and more importantly, that you deserve an interview.
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