Ten Mistakes That Could be Costing You That Interview

If you've sent out mountains of resumes with few responses, chances are you are making some of the ten most common mistakes that can cost workers the interview they seek. The purpose of the resume is to get an interview, while the purpose of the interview is to get the job. Without getting to the interview stage, it will be impossible to land those job offers. Before you send out that next resume, ask yourself if you are making one of these 10 common mistakes.

1. Using a sloppily prepared resume. The resume is perhaps the single most important document in your job hunting arsenal, and it is vital that this document present you in a positive light. Company Human Resource managers have told horror stories about receiving resumes filled with spelling errors, grammatical problems and other obvious mistakes. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly proofread your resume, or better yet have someone else do it.
2. Failure to customize your job search materials. Every job is different, and it is important that every cover letter be unique as well. It is important for job seekers to thoroughly research each potential employer, and to include information from their research in the cover letter and other contact materials. In addition to being a smart way to get an interview, this research will pay off big when the date of the interview arrives.
3. Arrogance - It is always a mistake for a job seeker to display arrogance or a sense of entitlement, whether in a resume, a cover letter or any other communication medium. Using terms that could be construed as arrogant is sure to turn off any manager who reads your resume.
4. Providing too much (or too little) information. If your resume stretches over more than two pages, chances are you are providing more information than the employer needs to make an interview decision. It is best to include only the highlights of your accomplishments and leave the rest for the interview itself. On the other hand, providing too little information can also prevent you from getting that interview. Phrases like "used Windows XP" for instance could mean anything from you used Windows XP once to you know the inner workings of the beast. It is important for your resume to convey enough information so that employers can make an informed decision.
5. Placing the focus in the wrong place. It is important for job seekers to focus not on their own needs but on the needs of the employer instead. It is of course important to look for a job that suits your needs, but the focus of the job search and the contact materials should be on how you can improve the operation of the company.
6. Focusing only on large employers. While large companies have many advantages, there are plenty of smaller undiscovered companies looking for quality IT talent. It would be a mistake to pass up the opportunities these companies can provide.
7. Failing to harness the power of the network. It is important to use all of your connections, personal, business and professional, in order to land those interviews. This type of networking is an invaluable asset, and one that all too many job seekers fail to take advantage of.
8. Failing to follow instructions. It is essential for those in search of a new job to thoroughly read the instructions that accompany the job posting. If the job posting says that a text format resume is required, do not send it in document format. It is important to pay attention to the details of the job listing in order to prove that you are detail oriented and a team player. Those who fail to follow the rules can expect to find their resumes, and their chances of getting an interview, discarded.
9. Relying solely on Internet job postings. While the Internet is a great place to search for information, and for employment, there are still plenty of jobs that are gained the old fashioned way. From networking to newspaper classified ads, there are plenty of ways to look for a job. Browsing the online job boards is a smart idea, of course, but it should not be your only source of job leads.
10. Not following up on your communication. It is important to follow up with would be employers to be sure that they received your application, cover letter and resume. This tactic allows you to stand out from the completion and increases the chances you will eventually get that interview. This type of follow up also signals to the employer that you are willing to go the extra mile to get what you want.

Of course it is also important for job seekers to have plenty of relevant training, experience and IT certification to put on those resumes, and CBT Planet is here to help with that important part of the job search. CBT Planet is proud to provide a variety of self paced computer based training, courseware, books and instructor led computer training programs. These programs are designed to allow students to get the training and certification they need, quickly, easily and conveniently. CBT Planet offers a variety of courses for Microsoft, Cisco CCNA, CompTIA A+, Oracle, Red Hat, Sun, IBM and others, as well as training and certification programs for Microsoft Office and a variety of other desktop applications. Contact CBT Planet today to discuss all your training, certification and career development goals.