Job Application: There are many things you should do when you apply for a job, but there is an equally long list of don’ts. That’s because some actions and behaviors can really hinder your job hunt and are best avoided. From oversharing the details of your job search to making a typo in a cover letter, here’s what not to do when you apply for a job.
Check your resume, cover letter, and every single email you send for grammar and spelling — even if it’s just a quick email, LinkedIn message, or Facebook message to a networking contact. If you submit a job application with a typo, it can knock you out of contention for a job. This means writing in full sentences and checking spelling and grammar. Always, triple-check the spelling of company and contact’s names, too — those mistakes are particularly eye-catching.
Keep Your Phone On
Filling out a job application or an interview isn’t a place to sneak in a few texts. If your phone is constantly beeping or ringing, it creates a very distracting environment and reflects poorly on you. So, make it a priority to turn your phone on silent and stow it away in your bag or pocket.
Although you might be dying to catch the end of your favorite song, take your headphones out and turn off your music-playing device. Stash both in your purse or briefcase before you walk in to apply for a job or go on a job interview.
Act Unprofessionally
No matter how difficult your job search is, make an effort to greet your interviewer kindly, and be active and engaged during the interview process. Be outgoing and positive, even if you don’t feel that way.
Be honest with your prospective employer about when it’s feasible to work. If you can’t work evening shifts, for example, don’t hedge during the interview. You don’t want to end up taking on more hours than you can handle or commit to a schedule that won’t work out, inconveniencing both yourself and your employer.
I cringe when someone tells me they’ve asked for a certain salary when they haven’t even been interviewed yet. Avoid mentioning compensation until you have a job offer or, at least, until the employer brings it up. Even then, be careful as to how you negotiate salary.