What NOT to Do when Applying for a Job

At the moment, there are many people out there looking for a job. I work two part-time jobs, and even though I don't get paid much at either place, I feel lucky to at least have employment. One of my jobs is at a bookstore, and every day we get applications. To help my manager, I sort through them to weed out candidates that are obviously not right for the position. Here are a few criteria for applications headed straight for the trash can:

The applicant cannot spell his former place of employment, or the name of the street on which he lives.

If you worked at Sonic, then spell this word out exactly. It is not called "Sonics". Perhaps you say "Sonics" when you speak of it, but do not write this on an official employment document. Check all areas of the application, and if know you have difficulty spelling, have someone double-check it for you. One candidate wrote, in the slot for starting date, "right know", instead of "right now". This is somewhat worse for our particular store, since it is a bookstore, and we expect our candidates to be literate. Another applicant who lives on Wall Triana Avenue, wrote "Wall Traina" for their address. Again, straight into the trash can.

The applicant seems to have a negative attitude toward their former places of employment

On almost every job application, there is a section to write why you left your last job. Be careful what you put here! One applicant wrote underneath every former job, something like, too much drama with the co-workers, didn't get along with manager, didn't like my boss, etc. Everyone, at some point, has had a job where they didn't like someone they worked with, and may have even left for that reason. However, if a prospective employer sees that disagreements follow you wherever you go, they will be wary of hiring you. You should never trash talk a boss in your application or interview: your prospective boss doesn't know the whole situation and may think that he or she might be the next to be put down. Instead write something like, "left to pursue a new type of work, wanted a job where I could take a more active role in making decisions, looking to enter the field of ____, looking for a larger/smaller company, looking for more flexible/fixed hours, etc". Try to come across as an optimist seeking new opportunities, rather than a pessimest harboring resentment.

The applicant doesn't write neatly, or fill out the application completely

When you fill out an application at a prospective place of employment, bring the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all former employeers. Try not to leave any of these areas blank -- you will either come across as lazy, not bothering to gather the pertinent information, or a person with something to hide. Your new boss will ask, is there a reason she doesn't want us to call her old workplace? Writing in a sloppy manner also makes you come across as lazy, someone that doesn't really want the job. In our case, we have a stack of applications a mile high, and my eye goes straight to the ones that are fully filled out in a neat hand.

The applicant is extrememly overqualified or underqualified for the job.

Yes, there is a such thing as being overqualified. In these economic times, this presents a problem for a lot of people. One man I know is educated, and has held high positions in several companies, both of which fell victim to outsourcing and the bad economy. Now, with few places hiring, he has to resort to putting in applications at places like where I work, retail and customer service. Unfortunately, being overqualified is a red flag for prospective employers, who know you will leave for greener pastures when the economy improves. The same goes for those who have no experience at all. If you simply leave your employment history blank, we have nothing to go on ... we don't know what you can do, or what skills you have. If you are entering the work force for the first time, put everything you do have experience in, from boy scouting skills to computer skills. If you are very organized at home, emphasize your organizational and filing skills. If you are a people person, you might be good at sales.

The applicant is poorly dressed or looks unclean.

They say you never have a second chance to make a first impression. I have immediately disregarded applications based on the first impression of the candidate. At the bookstore one day, I was stocking some books on a lower shelf and was suddenly startled by the presence of a man standing right over me, wearing a black trenchcoat and eyeliner. Not only was he standing uncomfortably close, he looked, well, scary. I knew many of our older customers would not feel comfortable dealing with him. If you have a personal style that varies widely from the norm, and you aren't willing to temporarily change it to find work, you pretty much have two options: Hot Topic or a tattoo parlor. Another issue is personal hygiene. If you look or smell like you haven't showered in a while, we are not going to hire you.

If you are looking for a job, don't give up. Remember to give off a good first impression, and appear professional and friendly. Just taking to time to properly fill out your application will give you an advantage over other people competing for the same job.