Applying for jobs can be overwhelming. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina recruiters review every application for the hundreds of jobs filled every year. As one of the largest employers in the state, this keeps our dedicated team of recruiters busy. 

Yoshimi Cobb-Ellis, a senior talent acquisition partner at BlueCross, shares common mistakes that candidates make when applying for jobs and how to land a position here. 

1. Do the research.

It is a common refrain when applying for jobs, but Cobb-Ellis says researching the company can be key to getting an interview or getting an offer. 

Check out the company’s history or community involvement. You can find more about our company on our social media pages. 

“Then be prepared to highlight any strengths in your resume to capture the hiring team’s attention to see how you can fit into our mission,” she says. 

2. Check for errors. 

A common mistake Cobb-Ellis and the hiring team find are basic misspelling and grammar mistakes. Be sure to double check your resume and other hiring materials. A good tip is to read it out loud to yourself. You can pick up mistakes that you might not see otherwise. 

3. Tailor your resume. 

It takes time to apply for jobs. Stopping to make sure your resume matches each position you apply for is important. 

“It doesn’t take long to take that time to tailor your resume to different positions and not use a generic resume for every role,” Cobb-Ellis says. 

4. Show your career growth. 

To get to the top of Cobb-Ellis’ stack of applications, be sure your resume shows a clear career path and growth in each position. Your resume should follow your career from the beginning to where you are now and how you have progressed with each new title. 

5. Use social media. 

Making the most of the tools online can be key to getting ahead in a job hunt. Using social media to learn more about the company can help. It can also be a powerful tool for making contacts. 

If you plan to use social media to help find a job, make sure your profiles are polished and professional, Cobb-Ellis says. Make your profile aligns with the industry you are pursuing. 

6. Meet the requirements. 

One of the first things our recruiters look for is that candidates meet all the requirements for a position. If a job calls for five years of experience and a college degree, candidates must meet that before moving through the process. 

7. Be concise. 

The old rule about a one-page resume still rings true, according to Cobb-Ellis. She recommends keeping a resume to one page and no more than two pages if necessary. Avoid excessive wordiness, she says. 

8. Practice makes perfect. 

Practice your pitch. Prepare for the interview. This is where doing the research can be helpful. Take notes for your interview. Have answers ready for common questions. All of this will be clear to the recruiters when they meet with you for an interview.