3 mistakes that can hinder you from reaching the interview stage

Being in front of the recruiter is the possibility of consolidating your profile for a job vacancy.

The interview is essential for the recruiter to find out a little more about you, evaluate your skills, behaviors and experiences, to understand if you are the right person for the position.

But for this to happen, you need to go through several steps, such as CV selection, tests, exams, etc.

And why might you not be prepared for this? Normally the search for a job opportunity is done on impulse, there is no strategy or preparation, and when this happens you don't get to the interview stage.

These are the 3 most common mistakes that candidates make:

1. Lack of Focus;
2. Inadequate curriculum;
3. Lack of preparation.

Below, I will detail each of them, so that you understand better.

1. Lack of Focus

You may think it's an exaggeration, but most candidates looking for a job don't know what position they want.

They simply send resumes without filters and for any opportunity, even those that don't match their experience and skills.

Did you know that  80% of CVs Are they discarded?

In my trainings I talk about CV SPAM, which is nothing more than the shipping without full control, generating only anxiety, as it does not bring concrete results.

For a job search to be successful, planning and an assessment of your knowledge, experience and professional level are necessary.

And for that, you need to practice the self knowledge and answer some questions:

1. What opportunities can I find according to my experiences, knowledge and skills?
2. What is my current professional level?
3. What salary range do I want to receive?
4. What type of contract or work format am I interested in?
5. Where do I want to work?
6. What type of company and culture do I want to participate in?

By answering these questions, you have an inventory that will direct your search. This way, you will have more assertive opportunities and in line with what you are looking for.

I know life is complicated, but there's no point in getting into a job that pays less or working in something you don't like.

The idea is that you get a job and move on with your career. So, if you can wait, plan and make strategic applications.

In 2019, I worked with a person who sent almost 20 CVs a day for various vacancies: receptionist, administrative analyst, mining technician and production engineering.

And, amazingly, she was a production engineer, but had never worked in the area, only as a mining technician, and had been looking for opportunities for 8 months.

The first thing we agreed on was just applying for jobs in your area. As a result, CV submissions dropped from 20 to 5. And do you know what happened? She started to be called twice a week for selection processes.

So stay focused!

2. Inadequate CV

Imagine talking to someone and having no idea what they are talking about.

The same thing happens with some resumes I receive. It is difficult to understand what position the person wants, how long they worked in previous companies, what they did and what results they delivered.

Keep this in mind: the function of the CV is simply to say whether you have the job profile or not.

It is not designed to tell your entire story, just what is important for the vacancy in question.

You don't need to put in a full-sheet summary, include all your documents, all the companies you've worked at and list all your courses taken since 2010.

This is not what the recruiting person wants to see.

The moment of selection is done to validate that you know how to do what the vacancy requires and have the required requirements.

So, some data that your document needs to have are:

1. Contact details: city, state, telephone, email and Linkedin;
2. Objective: write the position you are applying for;
3. Professional Summary: maximum five lines, according to what is described in the vacancy;
4. Academic education;
5. Experiences: with entry and exit dates, activities and results;
6. Courses.

3. Lack of Preparation

Most people are not prepared for the interview stage

I had a conversation with someone who was distressed because she had sent her resume to a dream company. I was sure I wouldn't be called, but I was and I didn't know what to do. The next step was to fill out a questionnaire and record a 1-minute presentation.

And when that happens, what do we do?

You have two paths: let your dream go or throw yourself into it.

But to play you need to be prepared, you may have to record videos, take tests, create a presentation, etc.

If not, start preparing from now on.

There are many free courses on YouTube, for example, that can help you improve some skills and bring new knowledge about different tools. So, be sure to search and access these contents.

If you need to record a video, practice as many times as necessary with your cell phone, take care of the lighting and sound, don't waste time thinking about editing.

There is no magic formula for who is called for an interview, what there is is preparation.

All stages of the selection process are eliminatory and you need to be prepared for them all.

I hope this knowledge helps you do better.

Do not give up!