CFOs Share the 10 Worst Job Search Mistakes

Job candidates have long been urged to put their best foot forward when applying for open positions. It’s simple advice, yet many job hopefuls fail to heed it.

In an Accountemps survey, one-third of CFOs said the most common mistake people make in application materials is failing to customize them for the position; 24 percent of executives said typos or poor grammar are the most frequent blunders. The biggest slip up during the interview is not knowing about the organization, the surveyed CFOs said.

CFOs were asked, “What do you think is the most common mistake candidates make in their application materials?” Their responses*:

They’re not customized to the job the candidate is applying for	33%
They contain typos or poor grammar	24%
They focus on job duties and not accomplishments	21%
They include irrelevant information	21%
	99%
* Total does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

CFOs were also asked “What do you think is the most common mistake candidates make during job interviews?” Their responses*:

Little or no knowledge of the company	27%
Unprepared to discuss skills and experience	22%
Unprepared to discuss career plans or goals	16%
Lack of enthusiasm	16%
Late arrival	11%
Lack of eye contact	9%
	101%
* Total does not equal 100 percent due to rounding.

“Employers are looking for job candidates who provide the ‘wow factor’ and can immediately demonstrate the value they bring,” said Bill Driscoll, district president for Accountemps. “Sending a generic resume or showing up for the interview unprepared tells the hiring manager that the applicant has little interest in being hired.”

Typos and grammatical errors can also send a message that a job seeker lacks follow-through and attention to detail. Following are real-life mistakes seen in job applications collected by Robert Half, parent company of Accountemps:

Skills: “Writing/listening/eaking. I can engage in intellectual conversations with a myrad of professionals.”
Job Duties: “Assisted company executives with travel arraignments.”
Education: “Currently perusing a master’s degree.”
Job Duties: “Communicate financial projections to steakholders.”
Cover Letter: “All I ask is for you to consider my perspicacious aspiration to become an erudite factotum in your organization.”

Accountemps identifies eight of the biggest job search mistakes and how to avoid them:

Adding irrelevant information to application materials: Stick to only the facts employers would be interested in, which are typically your credentials, experience and accomplishments. Keep your resume and cover letter concise.
Skipping proofreading: Even one or two resume typos can eliminate a candidate from consideration. Review your materials thoroughly, and ask a confidant to read them, too.
Failing to prepare: Research the company by exploring its website and searching for recent news articles. Incorporate what you learn into your cover letter and interview responses by making the connection between what the company needs and what you offer.
Lying: Be honest. Fabricating or overstating your experience is never acceptable.
Having an unflattering online presence: Conduct an online audit of your social media pages and remove any posts that could be perceived as unprofessional or inappropriate.
Being caught off-guard during salary discussions: Consult industry resources such as the 2017 Robert Half Salary Guides to learn about compensation ranges for jobs in your field. Understanding market trends will help you know what your skills and experience are worth.
Relying solely on technology: Look for other ways to find job openings. Attend industry events, join professional associations and ask your current contacts for introductions to new ones.
Going about your job search alone: Partner with a staffing firm and let them open doors for you. Be open to different types of positions, including temporary work.