A national online survey of a representative sample of 3,244 full-time employees from May 11 to June 7 found job seekers more confident in landing a job and in how technology has made it easier to reach employers. But 54% acknowledged not tailoring their resume for each employer and 84% don’t bother finding out the name of the hiring manager and directly applying to them on the application.
“…Just because they are able to submit an application easier, doesn’t mean candidates can skip basic steps--or requirements--like submitting a cover letter or customizing their resume,” said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer for CareerBuilder. “These items get the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, and leaving them out of the process can hurt a job seeker’s chances of securing a new job.”
Other gaffes include:
- 45% neglect to submit a cover letter
- 37% don’t circle back with the employer after applying
- 57% fail to send a thank you note