Application mistakes
the common ones and how to avoid them
Small mistakes with a big effect: what weakens an application and how to fix it with little effort.
Updated
Most applications do not fail because of missing experience. They fail because of small things that are easy to avoid. Here are the mistakes we see most often, each with a fix.
1. Wrong phone number or email address
It sounds trivial, but it happens a lot. One swapped digit and nobody can reach you. Fix: Call the number on your CV once from another phone. Send yourself an email at the address you listed.
2. An unprofessional email address
“partyking99@…” does not make a good first impression. Fix: Create a free address with your first and last name and use it only for applications.
3. Job titles without tasks
“Warehouse worker, 2021 – 2023” does not say whether you picked orders, drove a forklift or booked in goods. Fix: Add two to four specific tasks under every position.
4. Overstated German skills
“German: fluent” on the CV and then trouble on the phone. That costs trust. Fix: An honest self-assessment from A1 to C2. If you are taking a course, mention it.
5. Unexplained gaps
A year with no entry invites guesses. Fix: One line is enough: “2022: moved to Austria, German course B1”.
6. One CV for every job
If you apply for a production job, put machines, shift work and quality checks first, not your time in a call centre. Fix: Before each application, check which experience fits this job best. List it first and describe it in more detail.
7. Wrong file format or unreadable photos
A photo of your CV on the kitchen table is hard to read and looks unfinished. Fix: Save your CV as a PDF. Free templates are available from Europass or in any word processor.
8. Sending unnecessary documents
ID copies, bank details or health information do not belong in a first application. Fix: Send only your CV and, if requested, references. Everything else is handled later, when it is actually needed.
In short
A good application does not need to be elaborate. It needs to be correct, readable and show what you have actually done. Take five minutes to check it before you send it. That pays off more than any good-looking template.
Open application
A few details and your CV. We check which roles fit your experience and contact you when we have something for you.
