I know, I know...the reason you are struggling to secure interviews is because all the hiring companies require either more experience than you have or you are over-qualified for positions. Right?

Well, it sounds very reasonable doesn’t it?  Except, of course, that a surprising amount of the time it is nonsense as the company in question is actively interviewing people with your experience. Surprisingly often, the real reason you have not been selected is because you have committed one of the common job application errors that inevitably lead to rejection.

Computer Forensics is a highly competitive area where currently the number of applicants far outstrips the positions available. To be successful you need to stand out from the crowd.

I appreciate that in reality it can be tough to make each application stand out. However, at the very least you can ensure that every single application you make avoids the most common mistakes which inevitably lead to your CV going in the recycle bin and your dream job being taken by somebody else. Below, I have highlighted the ten most common job application errors that I see day after day...


1. Delivering your application

I am going to assume that all your applications are electronic as in this sector there is absolutely no reason at all why anybody should ask for a handwritten application. If someone advises you to send a handwritten application my advice is to smile politely and ignore them as, frankly, it is just a pain for the recipient then having to call to ask for an emailed CV so it can be managed on a company system.

Please avoid all gimmicky applications as, sure, they do make an impression, but usually for all the wrong reasons. Not so long ago I received a posted CV in an envelope filled with confetti – as I was on my hands and knees clearing up the mess I really didn’t feel compelled to call that person.


2. Your email address matters

In the last three months I have received applications from, amongst others, ‘x-ratedstud@’ ,‘beer-monster86@’ and ‘sweatygirl72@’. Now, I have no wish to pry into your private life but please do bear in mind that you are applying for a professional role and every aspect of your application must reflect this.

Avoid the shame and set up a simple email address based around your name for job applications and keep the more, hmmmmm, exotic email addresses for outside pursuits!


3. Where to send your application

Always send your email to a named contact not ‘info@’ or ‘CV’s @’.

There is no excuse to not find the correct email address as addresses are usually easy to find online.

As you will normally be emailing a recruiter or the manager of a team you will find their details with little effort through a variety of means such as articles they have written or conferences where they have presented. If they are more tricky to find then this is fantastic news as they will receive less speculative emails due to most people not being bothered so it increases your chances of success!

Unless you are replying to a specific job advert, if you are sending a speculative CV to a contact in HR I would argue that you haven’t done your research.


4. Covering note

Please don’t address the email ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘To whom it may concern’. If you really cannot be proactive enough to find out the name of the person you are contacting then there really is no point making the application. I bin these instantly without looking further.

There are numerous online articles about writing a strong covering note which I suggest you follow but please, keep it short and to the point without the rather tedious strings of general nothingness in flowery, descriptive language: ‘I am achievement-orientated and highly motivated to succeed in all I do’ etc, etc . Stay focused and concentrate on accomplishment rather than description.


5. The importance of your CV

OK, I know I am obsessed with CV’s and mention them in almost every article but that is because they are your selling tool. Let’s be absolutely clear. If your CV isn’t up to scratch, you almost certainly won’t be interviewed – game over before it has started.

Make it stand out (for the right reasons) and I would strongly suggest you use all the information available on the internet or follow my templates in past articles.


6. Spelling

I was talking with a company MD last month who was trying to recruit a CF graduate for a placement year.  Now, as those of you who are looking for a placement will know, these opportunities are very difficult to find. Well, this MD was appalled by the basic spelling errors found on the majority of the CV’s and every single one that contained a spelling mistake was instantly rejected.

Computer Forensics people are expected to be detail-orientated and not running a spell check is really just basic sloppiness.


7. Fonts/layout etc

Why oh why have blue lines, pink writing or numerous shaded boxes running through your CV? Why have different fonts scattered all over the place? All it does is distract attention from the content. You aren’t applying for a role in graphic design so keep it simple and clear.


8. Photos

Confession time here as these are my personal favourites – for all the wrong reasons. I love seeing the photos people put on their CV’s as they are generally hilarious. Unless specifically asked, don’t do it. Trust me.

As an aside, I would also suggest you are careful about the photos you put on LinkedIn or other social networking sites: sometimes I wonder just what sort of a message people are trying to send with their choice of photo. Often, I imagine the impression conveyed is very different from the one intended...


9. Be easy to contact

Supply your personal email address (never your current employer) and provide your mobile number.

Make sure you have voicemail and check it regularly: on a number of occasions I have had a certain number of interview slots to fill and if someone hasn’t returned my call within a few hours they have missed out. Oh yes, and please have a simple, professional voicemail message rather than the absolutely hilarious Jay-Z cover you recorded with your pals at 3am last Saturday...


10. Ad-hoc, unprofessional approach

Your job search should be approached in a methodical manner. The hiring cycle is often unpredictable, erratic and incredibly slow – as are some of the hiring managers/recruiters. It is vital that you keep accurate records following every application, call or other recruitment activity.

The real benefit of keeping extensive records is this enables you to keep following-up on all activity. Many applicants don’t follow up enough as they are concerned about being seen as pushy or aggressive but this really shouldn’t worry you so long as you are professional in your approach. In my experience, it is often the job-seeker who stays in contact with recruiters/prospective employers who secures a role when the time for hiring finally arrives.

In short, avoiding the ten mistakes outlined above makes it so much easier for a hiring manager to invite you to interview. Once there you just need to avoid the ten most common interview mistakes which I will be covering in a future article.

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