The nature of work and the job market are always shifting, but the same can’t always be said for the nature of job-seekers.  A lot of people with great qualifications are scuffing their chances at landing a job or an interview by using tactics that should have been left in the ‘80s along with spandex and jazzercise. 

Liz Ryan, of Bloomberg, has a short list of job search strategies that you should avoid like a sparkly, rhinestone-studded plague.

1) Using Dedicated Resume Paper/Envelopes – Unless you’re applying for a creative position like Graphic Design, overly fancy or colorful stationary is only going to make you amateurish and out of touch.  Most resumes are read electronically, and simplicity and readability is the key when it comes to proper digital formatting.

2) Dated CV Language – This is something you’ve heard time and time again, but it can’t be repeated often enough.  If you’ve got to address someone in a letter, address them by name and not by title.  Employers are gonna see a thousand pieces of paper with the words “dear sir” or “dear hiring manager” written on them, so this is an easy way to stick out and make a good first impression. 

3) “Why You Should Hire Me” – Don’t beg.  It’s just not becoming in any situation, let alone a job interview.  People often think it’s a good idea to sell the idea that you’ll do anything for your employer once hired, but they’d much rather have someone who is confident and straight forward in addressing their ability to do the job right.

4) Not Dodging the Bullet When it Comes to Bullet Lists – Keep it to two or three bullet points for past jobs if you’re going to use them.  One of the cardinal sins in a modern resume is simply offering too much information by going through an endless regiment of responsibilities instead of accomplishments.  Past occupations offer a great opportunity to tell a story and create a meaningful connection between you and the person reading your resume. 

5) TMR – No, it’s not a new offshoot of TMZ; TMR refers to the all too common phenomenon of job-seekers doing “too much research” on a potential employer and then trying to show it off to the point where it comes across as desperation.  If you really want to wow your interviewer, then stick to researching the things that are actually relevant to you making an impact on their business.  If one of their competitors recently launched a rival product, for instance, discussing that would be far more relevant than trying to earn a gold star for memorizing company policies. 

Photo: Above photograph used under CC license

This article was inspired by a Liz Ryan piece entitled “Five Out-of-Date Job-Search Tactics” that originally appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek.