How NOT to Get a Job

I am currently running a search for a client who needs a Director of Communications–a job I know more than a little about–especially in the non-profit sector. Let me just say that it has been a very enlightening process.

Of the 85 applications (resumes + cover letters) received so far, 73 are immediate "no-s." There are none in the "maybe" pile. Yikes! What’s going on here? Am I being just a tad ruthless? You bet– as a Director of Communications aspirant, your submission better be Perfect, and that’s with a capital "P."

Take heed: here is my advice for how NOT to get the job you want, in any industry, much less make it into the first round of interviews…..

1. Misspell the person’s name that you are writing to.
2. Address them by their first name in your cover letter.
3. Address them by their title only (as in Dear President…..).
4. Send a resume as an attachment to an email with no corresponding cover letter.
5. Use your email as your cover letter.
6. Apply for a position for which you have zero experience.
7. Try to convince me in your cover letter that unrelated experience somehow qualifies you for the job.
8. Apply from out of state or out of the country if the position clearly requires a familiarity with a specific local. (My favorite so far came from Italy).
9. Email or call to "see if your materials have been received." Trust me, they have. Some companies will acknowledge receipt; some won’t. Move on.
10. Send a follow-up email asking for the salary range. If you need to ask before we’ve even met, I will automatically hit "delete."
11. Re-submit your materials for a position that has been re-opened. There’s a reason we didn’t call you the first time.

If all of this sounds harsh, that’s because it is. We are looking for reasons to eliminate you. You cannot afford even the smallest misstep (awkward language, weird formatting, bizarre self-revelations, etc. etc. etc). There’s plenty of time to shine later on–once you make it past all the hangers-on at the gate. That’s your opportunity to knock my socks off. But more about how to do that in a later post.

Hint: It’s all about your BRAND.