Common Mistakes to Avoid When Apply for Entry-Level Jobs

Written by Cherie Simms BASc, CVRP - Career Advisor and Employer Liaison with Student and Graduate Employment

So, you’ve just graduated and you’re looking for a foot in the door to that perfect entry-level job. If you’ve been applying and not getting any calls back or, attending interviews that are not leading to employment, it might be time to review your approach. Here’s a look at common mistakes to avoid when applying for entry-level jobs:

Lack of Tailoring:

I’ve heard it too many times, the term “generic resume”. If you’re using the same resume to apply to every job, you could be hindering your chances of getting called for an interview. Analyzing the job posting and highlighting your relevant skills and experience that align with the job requirements, is crucial to the application process.

Tips:

• Use the highlights of qualifications section on your resume to respond to the requirements listed in the job posting.
• Analyze the duties/responsibilities section on the job posting and use that to tailor your experience statements in your work history.  Eliminate points that are not relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Avoid sharing experience on the resume that will over-qualify you for the position. For example, if you have a lot of managerial experience, consider the more relevant, non-leadership aspects of your previous role(s) (i.e., collaborating with team members, resolving customer concerns, etc.,).
• Don’t eliminate work history, tailor it! That’s right keep jobs like McDonald’s and Tim Hortons on your resume, employers like to see it. Just remember to keep your experience statements relevant (i.e., assembling burgers vs. working at a fast pace, operating a cash register vs. delivering excellent customer service), keep it relevant!

Having Eliminating Factors on Your Resume:

In addition to tailoring your resume, you want to avoid having any of the following eliminating factors. These factors can automatically disqualify you from the hiring process. Check out this list of what not to do on your resume:

• Spelling errors and typos
• Inappropriate buzzwords and industry jargon
  • Synergy
  • thought leader
  • paradigm shift
  • low-hanging fruit
  • pivot
  • disruptive innovation
• Acronyms (i.e., DIY, OTC) and abbreviations (i.e., approx., et., min., no.)
• Wordiness (exaggerations)
• More than 2 pages
• Multiple fonts
• Meaningless objectives - “to obtain a position that allows me to utilize my skills and grow within a dynamic company”
• Poor readability
• Lack of white space
• Sloppy and disorganized presentation
• Gimmicks like photos and bright paper 
• Personal information (date of birth, marital status, religion., country of origin, etc.,)

Not being Realistic:

There is nothing wrong with aiming high - ambition drives success - so keep striving towards that dream job. An effective way to get there is actually through an entry-level job. It’s about getting a foot in the door and then leveling up to where you want to be. Applying to jobs that you are not yet qualified for can deflate your confidence especially when you’re not getting calls and receiving rejection letters.

Tips:

• Pay attention to the job requirements not just the job title. Use this highlighter method to determine if it’s a realistic job to apply to now:
  • Green: for requirements you currently have 
  • Yellow: for requirements that are not mandatory and you do not have yet but are working towards and/or can acquire with training.
  • Red: for requirements that are mandatory and you do not have.
• If after using the highlighter method, you find that the majority of your highlights are yellow, or if you have a red, it could mean that this is not a job to apply to right now.
• If you have mostly green and no red then you have the green light to go ahead and apply.
• Create a pathway, if you’re not qualified for that dream job now, look for an entry-level job that you are qualified for within the same company or equivalent.  For example, if you want to work as a Medical Administrator at the Hospital consider first gaining experience at a local walk-in clinic.
• Interview people working in your dream job to learn about their career trajectory and gain insight into different pathways.

 Underestimating the Power of Networking:

In today’s labour market, the job hunt takes more than just passively submitting your application to jobs and then waiting for a call. Nowadays, it takes a lot more leg work. Networking has become increasingly popular and we can all thank LinkedIn for making it easier to connect with hiring managers, HR personnel, and other career professionals across the globe.  Connecting with people through various social media platforms and also at in-person networking events can give your job search a serious boost.

Tips:

• Follow the company you are interested in applying to on social media, especially LinkedIn. Engage with the content they post; comment or re-share with a line about your take on the material.
• Connect with people on LinkedIn. Here are some sample greetings you may use:
• "Hello [Name], I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your experience in [industry/field]. I am currently seeking new opportunities in [specific role/industry] and would love to connect with you to learn more about potential opportunities at [Company Name]."
• "Hi [Name], I noticed that we share a mutual connection in [common connection's name] and thought it would be great to connect with you. I am actively looking for opportunities in [specific role/industry] and would appreciate the chance to discuss any potential openings at [Company Name]."
• "Hello [HR Professional's Name], I came across your profile and was impressed by your experience in the HR field. I would love to connect and learn more about your work. Looking forward to connecting!"
•  "Hi [Professional's Name], I noticed we share a mutual interest in [specific role/industry] and thought it would be great to connect. I'd love to hear more about your experiences and insights in the industry. Let's connect!"
• "Hello [Professional's Name], I'm interested in expanding my network within the [specific role/industry] community and your profile caught my attention. I would appreciate the opportunity to connect and possibly discuss industry trends. Let's connect!"
• Research associations or clubs within your industry, become a member and learn about networking events or professional development seminars.
• Check the CareerReady calendar for public event listings or view Mohawk College’s event listings on CareerConnect and the Events Calendar. 
• Google career-related events for your industry or check out event listings on Eventbrite.
• Create “resume business cards” with a high-level summary of your qualifications, your contact information, and links to your branded social media pages.
• Google yourself and eliminate any content that may represent you in a negative light. Brand yourself in the way you’d like to be seen by hiring managers.
• Develop a sincere approach to networking. It’s not about adding names to your list its about fostering a connection. Stay in touch with the people you connect with. Check-in once in a while with a warm greeting.
• Family members, friends, professors, and peers are all good contacts to stay connected with. Let them know that you are looking for work and the types of opportunities you are interested in.

Not Doing Research

Companies are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a genuine interest. They can tell when someone knows little about them and what they do. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition, do your research! Get to know the ins and outs of the company, its clients, its people, and even its competitors. This will certainly leave a lasting impression.

Tips:

• Go to the company’s website and look for press releases, review the About Us section, see who their partners and sponsors are, check out their Google reviews, and do a comparative analysis to see what their competition is doing.
• Conduct informational interviews with people who are currently working there. This could be a person working in a similar role to the one you’re applying for or an HR person or hiring manager. It could also be someone working in a similar role at a different company.
• Review the Labour Market Assessment for your occupation to be aware of forecasts and also salary ranges. You can find labour market information on the Government of Canada’s  Job Bank.

Moving Slowly:

I’ve learned that it can take up to three months of active job searching to land employment. Active job searching is a full-time job of waking up, getting dressed, and applying for at least 10 jobs per day. This includes a combination of tailoring your resume, applying to jobs in-person and online, and networking. It may also mean upskilling to meet the labour market demands.  If you are not in a position to put in full time hours for your job search, that is ok, you just need to be aware it may take longer to find the job you are hoping for.

Tips:

• Compile a list of common job postings and identify common themes regarding specialized certifications, training, or experience.
• Research ways of acquiring training or gaining exposure to those specializations.
• Consider volunteering or job shadowing.
• When lacking experience, consider offering your services to a small business, family members, or friends for an opportunity to practice your skills and demonstrate experience.
• Remain active while looking for work. Employers will appreciate the activities you’ve invested in to keep yourself current.

Not Preparing for an Interview

Interviews can be nerve-wracking especially if you’re walking into it unprepared. In addition to researching the company be sure to get your internal inventory in order and reflect on your past experiences and examples of your work. 

Tips:

• Store a copy of the job posting, study it, and pinpoint the top 3 to 5 competencies you believe are needed for the job.
• Think of 1 to 2 examples from your work and academic history that will demonstrate those competencies.
• Create a journal of your (SAR) success, action, and result stories that reflect your greatest attributes.
• Use AI such as ChatGPT to generate sample questions based on the job posting or position you are interviewing for.
• Meet with a Career Advisor for a mock interview and to learn the most effective methods for responding to interview questions.

Lastly, not looking for help when you need it!

The Student and Graduate Employment team offers individualized support with the following:

• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• E-Portfolios
• Interviews
• Networking
• Job Search
• Consultation

If you are a student or graduate and you’re struggling to land an entry-level job, book an appointment on CareerReady at https://careerready.mohawkcollege.ca and we’ll be happy to help you.