Lost job opportunities because of email, CV

Just graduated from journalism, Lan read the recruitment information for the position of internal communications of an information technology company. With a good degree, good appearance and having participated in many extracurricular activities as MC, event organizer, logistics or cheerleader, Lan considers herself suitable for this position’s job description. She quickly sent her CV.

After about a month of application deadline, Lan did not receive a response, so she directly contacted the recruitment department. They said they responded to every email applying for that batch and also found the right candidate. Employers think that maybe the email sent by Lan has an error or lacks the title, so it should be ignored.

Checking the email she sent, Lan was angry at herself. Lan’s mail is indeed without a subject. “I was too flawed and could only blame myself. It was a great lesson that even now, when I have a similar job at a bank, I still can’t forget it,” Lan said.

Many fresh graduates make the same mistakes. On some forums, many recruitment experts complain about candidates being negligent in sending emails with some common mistakes such as: attaching only CV, no message body; forgot to attach CV; sketchy content of the letter; forward job application emails to several units without editing or changing.

Sharing at the Job Fair – Human Resource Bridge in 2022 organized by Banking Academy on April 28, Ms. Ngo Bao Ngoc, Northern Human Resources Partner Department of Pioneer Commercial Joint Stock Bank (TP Bank), said I know I’ve met many fresh graduates with good expertise but “lost points” because of seemingly very small things like email, CV for a job.

For many years working in recruitment, she received CVs with only her name but no date of birth; no phone number or contact address; no photo or use selfie. “Such CVs do not cause sympathy with employers,” Ngoc shared.

For her, the application email and CV create a first impression, showing whether the candidate is thorough, really goodwill with the job or not. Sloppy emails or CVs, even unintentional, can cost a candidate a good job opportunity.

In addition to the step of submitting the application, Ms. Ngoc pointed out some mistakes that candidates encounter when going to job interviews such as mistakes in dress and attitude. She told about an interview to find a teller – a position that is considered the face of a bank and needs appearance and grooming.

That day, the council held a centralized interview with five candidates entering the room at the same time. One of the five friends wore a white shirt but was not careful, “looks quite shabby”. Another student showed a blank face while the panel was interacting with other candidates. These two friends were then disqualified.

“Having entered the interview room, the way you dress and all your gestures and words are noticed. For example, with a lethargic and unfocused candidate, we think they don’t really respect the participants. Interview with and recruiters”, Ms. Ngoc said.

She also noticed that many new graduates refuse to learn about the job position and business before the interview, making them lack of information, unnatural body language, and unable to ask questions back to the employer. but respond only passively.

Ms. Ngoc wants students to focus on developing soft skills such as communication while at school. “Participating in extracurricular activities, getting a part-time job, and doing internships early in the second and third years are ways to help you improve your skills,” she shared.

Ms. Dang Minh Huyen, Human Resources Director of Military Bank (MB), emphasized that in addition to communication, students also need to equip some other skills such as gathering and solving problems. According to Huyen, Gen Z has outstanding features such as dynamism, creativity, and willingness to learn. Many of you are good at your profession but don’t know how to convince employers with your CV or in about 20-30 minutes of an interview.

“You guys are good at many things, but if you keep talking rambling on your CV or during an interview, you won’t make an impression. Knowing how to choose the right strengths for the position the business is looking for will help you convince them right away. and always”, emphasized Ms. Huyen.

This expert shared that employers in many fields currently expect students to be able to follow new trends in digital transformation and are always looking for candidates with a digital mindset. Equipping these related skills with certificates beyond a university degree will be a way to create an edge.

Duong Tam