At Business Insider, we have interviewed hundreds of job applicants.
We are usually impressed with the calibre of candidates. Most people we meet seem smart and accomplished, and applicants "get" our all-digital, fast-paced, anti-boring way of handling business news.
But ... young people are human, too. They make mistakes. And the following mistakes have cost them the jobs their CVs and résumés otherwise said they were good for ...
20. Typos in your cover letter, CV, or résumé.
Your command of written English — spelling, grammar, and punctuation — is a shorthand test of your intelligence. Or at least, of your ability to memorize the rules of the language. Typos make you look unintelligent, even though smart people make mistakes all the time.
Tip: Get someone else to edit your letter and CV before you send them.
19. Having bad breath.
Everyone suffers from dry mouth at the office.
Tip: Chew a piece of gum and then remove it five minutes before the interview.
18. Not telling a good story about your life.
Who are you, what are you good at, and what do you want to do with your life? We want a quick, clear history of your life and career so far. At Business Insider, storytelling is literally what we do, but at any company, communication is key. If you cannot communicate who you are quickly, you're not getting the job.
Tip: Write it down beforehand and rehearse with a friend.
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