BYETEACHING - 4: Avoid these resume and application mistakes to land interviews

If all you have been seeing are rejection letters so far and no interviews, then this lesson is meant for you!

I will share with you the key to landing an interview, and how to market yourself properly on the job applications. So you might want to grab your notebook and pen and turn off all the distractions.

First, the key to landing an interview is getting your resume and cover letter to show how you are the perfect fit for the role.

Here are the resume mistakes you want to avoid:

Writing a resume that is all about you and not about what the employer is looking for.
- A resume that does not have any industry specific keywords
- A resume that only has terminology from your previous industry (words like: school, teacher, district, lesson plans)
A resume that looks like everyone else’s resume and does not stand out
A resume without a cover letter

Prefer to watch? Click the video below!

Here is how to fix those resume mistakes mentioned above:

Think about it from the employer’s point of view. If you are applying for a job as a trainer in a company that delivers training, look at the job responsibilities and then read your resume with a fresh set of eyes. Would you hire you? If not, then fix your resume to include the skills that the employer is looking for. The person reviewing your resume will only spend 10-15 seconds on your application, and if you are expecting them to spend hours trying to guess how you might be a good fit for the role, then you have already lost the job. It is your job to use industry specific terminology on your resume to ensure that your resume speaks the same language that the employer understands.

Use a template that makes your resume eye-catching and appealing. Google docs has several free templates that you can use. Visit docs.google.com

So many people make this rookie mistake of submitting a resume without a cover letter. This is like serving food without a plate and fork. The plate and fork are absolutely necessary for you to pick up the food and enjoy your meal right? The cover letter is also absolutely necessary in order for the employer to hear your story, and see your communication skills! The cover letter is an opportunity for you to share how you are the perfect fit for the role and how you can help the employer in their goals.

Here are the cover letter mistakes you want to avoid:

A cover letter that simply brags about you and does not make any connection how your skills are applicable for this specific role

A generic cover letter that you send out to everyone for every job

A cover letter (and resume) without your contact info! Make sure the employer has the correct phone number and email address.

A cover letter that has spelling and grammar mistakes. This will reflect poorly on your future performance and speaks volume about your communication skills, your ability to use spell-check, your thoroughness and the quality of work that you produce.

Second, how do you get your resume and cover letter to be read by the decision maker?

You have to use the right application strategies.

Most people make these mistakes when applying for jobs:

Hitting easy-apply to 100 jobs a day expecting to hear back
Applying to jobs that they are not really qualified for
Applying to jobs with the wrong resume
Not using their network to help them apply for jobs
Not following up enough times with employers and jobs that they have already applied to
Applying to one employer only once

In the next lesson, we will discuss LinkedIn and Indeed and how to use these platforms to find your next job!

If you are seeking support from an expert to expedite your job search, please use this link to schedule a call with me or someone from my team to help you!

Lesson 5: Key to landing interviews and a job outside of education

Previous Lesson: Drawing parallels between education and other careers