How to know if a job application is worth your time

We all know that job hunting takes a lot of time. Before you even lock eyes with an application form, you need to construct your search criteria, scroll through countless adverts (that somehow still manage to be 30 miles away, even though your radius states 15), until you find yourself an hour later with a tab bar that’s so crowded you have absolutely no idea what to click first.

But when you do look at an individual advert, how do you know if the job application is worth completing? When job hunting, your time is precious – and not only is it frustrating when you’re faced with multiple application forms that differ ever so slightly, it expends your energy, and leaves you feeling de-motivated if you keep running into dead-ends.

So, let’s de-bunk it – and find out what the red flags are when looking at job listings.

Unrealistic Pay

We have all been there. The job title is perfect, the location is spot-on, the job description seems in-tune with your abilities and professional aspirations – but the pay leaves a lot to be desired.

There’s a balance to strike here – in some industries, internships and placements are necessary to get your foot in the door and collect necessary experience for your CV – and if you’re searching for low paid or minimum-wage work, that’s your personal choice. (Just remember that most unpaid internships are illegal).

But if a position is asking for 2-3 years’ prior experience in a similar role, your own transport, efficiency in computing programs and a proven track-record in the industry to name but a few, if the pay does not meet your expectations, back away.

Only scurrilous businesses will choose employees solely on how low a wage they will accept – so you need to be vigilant, and ensure that the remuneration is equivalent to your skillset and ability.

Bad Spelling

This is something that feels like a kick in the teeth. When a job advert asks for someone with an eye for detail and precision, yet the advert itself is littered with errors, it’s a definite red flag – and needs someone with a red pen to come along to highlight their mistakes.

It’s important to note that sometimes job adverts are created externally, so the mistakes may not have been made by the business. But, there is a level of quality-control that should come into it. If the gatekeeper to the job has created a listing with errors in it, what does that say for their judgement of your application?

Save your time and apply elsewhere.

The Location

Before applying, work out your potential commute. Is it something you can see yourself doing 5 days a week? Take into consideration rush hour traffic and hold-ups. The distance you are willing to travel is a personal preference, and what may irk someone may not affect another – but it’s still something to consider.

And if a job is just that little bit too far away, take time to weigh up the pros and cons in your mind before producing the application. You need to be as certain as you can before applying, otherwise it’s a futile activity.

Be Honest

Finally, look at the job specification and focus on each individual point in the essential criteria. Do you match up? Answer this honestly – ask yourself right now, could you execute the tasks?

If the answer is anything other than an absolute yes, pass the job by. It’s not only time wasting for you, but for the employer, too. Negotiation comes into play with desirable experience, but if you’re not hitting the essentials 100%, move on.

It’s good to note that if you keep getting let down by one area of expertise, find out how you can further that skill. Use job specifications as a personal check-list to highlight your areas of weakness, and then take steps towards strengthening them. Not only will it brighten up your CV, but it’ll unlock more job opportunities, too.