Top 7 Ways To Make A Recruiter Hate You

If you are looking for a job, you wouldn’t intentionally make the hiring manager hate you. However, you would be surprised at how often we can make an enemy out of the person who is supposed to assist us.

Some mistakes are just irritating while others can make the recruiter shudder at the mere mention of your name.

Okay, I know hate is a strong a word in this case. But if you want to ruin your chances with a recruiter or the company they work for, here are seven perfect ways to do that.

Related: Best 7 Tips for Finding a Job in Kenya 

Ways You Are Blowing Your Job Chances

1. Sending generic CVs and Cover letters

If you want to blow your chances with a recruiter, send them an application that is not tailored to the job you are applying for.

It is not only annoying but it portrays you as someone who does not care or respect the job of the recruiter.

Read more on What Does Customizing Your CV Mean & What Are The Benefits? 

2. Getting too creepy

Just because the recruiter said they will keep in touch doesn’t mean following up twice or thrice a day. In fact, if the recruiter was considering you for the job, this will only lead them to pick the other candidate.

If it’s about following up, do this at least a week after the interview and just once. Just because it has been three days, doesn’t mean you have been forgotten.

3. Applying for jobs you do not qualify for

Before you sit down to craft your application, read through the job description and ensure that you possess the skills the employer is looking for.

Don’t just apply to jobs because you think you can do it. Apply for positions you know you have what it takes to accomplish the tasks.

Related: Understanding The Hidden Job Market 

4. Annoying grammatical mistakes on the application

Okay, I know it’s not an English class but ignoring to correct grammatical mistakes is one way of making a recruiter hate you. Think of it as looking forward to reading that novel your friend has been going on about for months and then not being able to finish one page without careless grammatical errors.

If you want to impress the recruiter, make sure your application has not grammatical errors. Before you send in an application, sit down and do some proofreading.

5. Jobs seekers who never follow instructions

Most jobs will have specific instructions for job applicants and it is up to you to follow them to the letter. If a job requires you send in your CV only, do just that. Don’t accompany the job application with a cover letter.

Be disciplined enough to follow simple instructions.

6. Using your company’s professional email to apply for jobs

This screams unprofessional from very far. A recruiter receiving such an application will not look at it twice.

Always use your own personal email to apply for jobs. And also use a professional email address, not catlover@gmail.com.

7. Forwarding your applications….

This is the most annoying thing you can do as a job seeker – forwarding applications from previous jobs you applied for instead of creating a new message.

This is a complete turnoff to a recruiter and they will not hesitate to trash your application.

There you have it, some of the ways you can ruin a perfect chance at a job. Next time you apply for a job and don’t hear from the recruiter, don’t be shocked.

Related: Top 6 Email Mistakes That Are Denying You Interviews 

Lilian Wamaitha is a Communications and Digital Marketing Officer at Career Point Kenya. Email her via lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke. Click here to like us on Facebook.