Improve Your Chance Of Securing That Job…

Regardless of your job title or industry, hiring managers have one thing in common: they all have ‘pet peeves’ when it comes to interviews and job applications and they all know exactly what they like and don’t like.

Reed.co.uk asked 300+ recruiters what they found most annoying and what they kept an eye out for when considering a candidate. The following points were the most common annoying traits or candidate presentation habits.

1. Bad Presentation
   obviously qualifications and previous experience are very important when considering a candidate for a job, but the presentation of a CV should take priority as even the best of CV’s can be let down or even discarded due to poor presentation. A logical order should be selected when constructing your CV, taking into consideration good formatting and appropriate length – 91% of recruiters advise that your CV should be two to three pages.
2. Poor Spelling and Grammar 
   Poor spelling and grammar were highlighted by over 50% of recruiters surveyed as the number one annoyance in CV’s. It shows that a lack of time and effort have been spent proof reading their CV. Another CV complaint is those that apply for jobs without the appropriate qualifications or experience.
3. ‘Socialising with Friends”      
   In recruitment, there is not much worse than a generic CV including statements such as “I enjoy socialising with friends” or “I am a good team player” or “I work well in as part of a team as well as on my own.”
4. Arriving Late      
   Although it cannot always be helped, late interviewees are very common, with one in five hiring managers having to wait around for candidates to arrive. The biggest hate is when candidates finally arrive, enter the interview casually and don’t even bother to reply. It is much preferred when candidates have the courtesy to call ahead to inform the interviewer – this could even save the interview!
   A lack of preparation for the interview is a big interview irritation with one in 4 recruiters voting it as their biggest ‘pet peeve’. 
5. Weak Handshake
   And last, but certainly not least, the importance of positive body language and a good, firm handshake. These may seem old fashioned but recruiters still look out for positive body language and a good handshake as it sends out positive messages about the candidate

Written by Laura Miller