This is
first in my series on most common "dumbest mistakes" you're probably making when applying for job after job.Mistake 1
Employers get so many resumes and letters saying same worn-out things and using same tired old phrases, that it's hard to see difference between applicants. Phrases like: "I'm good with people," "I'm a good learner" and "I love a challenge" appear on nearly every application that's ever been written, and simply makes you part of crowd. Weed these cliched phrases from your application and instead replace them with powerful reasons to hire you.
As you know, job doesn't always go to person with best skills � it usually goes to person that sells themselves best. It's difference between tunnel-vision and funnel-vision. A person with tunnel-vision writes short-sighted letters telling employer what a good X they are, and how much experience they have.
To apply funnel vision, start at small picture � "they need an X" and work toward bigger picture � "they need an X to help make/save them money either directly or indirectly and to satisfy their customers' needs."
You be judge. Imagine you're an employer looking for a secretary for example. Would you employ someone who says they can type 90 words a minute, or someone who says they will:
"Be perfect ambassador for business, always smiling and cheerful both face-to-face and over phone. Able to do multiple things at once and can take care of mundane tasks to free other staff to spend more time doing what they do best. A salesperson should be selling � not photocopying...
A secretary with funnel vision will show an employer what THEY can do for THEM. A person with tunnel-vision will keep looking for work, or stay where they are.
Mistake #2
Employers hate trying to decipher information in resumes to see if you can be matched to a position they're trying to fill. An employer needs to see benefits and results to them from skills listed in your resume. This can be hard to do without sounding like an egotist, but some of our readers who've gotten it right have received phone calls within hours of employer receiving application.
