Top Mistakes That Can Cost You the Job, According to Hiring Managers

The current job market is extremely competitive, and even small mistakes can cost candidates opportunities. Here are some of the biggest blunders that can immediately disqualify applicants, as shared by hiring managers from major companies.

One of the most common mistakes candidates make is speaking negatively about their former employers. According to Sean Barry, vice president of talent acquisition at Allstate, it’s unprofessional and raises red flags. Speaking harshly about a past employer can make hiring managers question why the candidate left the job, even if the criticism is understandable.

In today’s job market, companies are hiring at a slower pace, and applicants are competing against each other for fewer available positions. This makes even the smallest errors stand out. Barry points out that some candidates, eager to submit multiple applications, often make simple mistakes like addressing their cover letter to the wrong company or hiring manager.

At Exelon, chief people and equity officer Denise Galambos said an avoidable mistake she sees often is applicants misnaming the company in their resumes and cover letters. Such small mistakes give hiring managers an easy reason to dismiss an application, especially when they are sorting through hundreds of candidates.

Some candidates also struggle with discussing their work experiences during interviews. Verizon’s Spring Lacy emphasized the importance of being prepared to talk about everything listed on a resume, even work experiences from years ago.

Another issue that many hiring managers have noticed is the lack of research candidates do on the company or role they’re applying for. Mathias Rech, head of people and performance at Kraft Heinz North America, explained that understanding a company’s culture and history shows genuine interest, while generic applications suggest a lack of preparation.

At Google, candidates who don’t match the minimum qualifications for a role may hurt their chances. A company spokesperson shared that applying without clear skill alignment can significantly impact an applicant’s success.

The growing use of AI-assisted applications is another trend that raises concerns. While tools like ChatGPT are used to optimize resumes and cover letters, some job seekers have taken it too far by using AI during interviews, such as apps that feed real-time answers. Google has updated its guidelines to make clear that using AI tools in interviews will result in disqualification.

Allstate also uses technology to flag AI-generated applications, though some still slip through. Barry expressed concern that AI could inflate a candidate’s skills or experience, leading to wasted time during the interview process. He noted that gaps between an application and a candidate’s actual qualifications typically emerge during the interview.

Lastly, there’s a growing trend of dishonesty in the competitive job market. Barry mentioned that exaggerating roles in projects or implying a degree was earned from a college that was never completed are common examples of dishonesty that can lead to disqualification.