Tips to avoid disqualification in a job-application process
Dear Sam: I have had four interview requests within the past six weeks. While this is encouraging, the application process may be disqualifying me as a candidate. The application reveals my age by asking for my birth date. I handle the age issue by reminding the interviewer that I do not intend on retiring for many years. When the application asks for my past salary history, I am answering honestly, potentially disqualifying me from the lower-paying jobs I am applying for. Do I leave my salary history blank? — Cal
Dear Cal: Salary questions are so touchy. The school of thought is that whoever brings up salary first loses. If you do not have to include salary-history data, I would avoid providing that information. Unfortunately, however, many applications require those fields, and if completing the application online, sometimes the application will not proceed to the next question without answers being completed. When this is the case, if there is a space for comments — or if you have direct access to the employer via an introductory email or in-person interview — I would make it clear that while your salary history reflects a certain level, you are not seeking compensation in that range for your next role. Being forthright can only help your chances in this case, given that you feel you are being disqualified based on this information.
Another thing you may be able to do is not provide information on every job you have held since the infancy of your career. Be sure to read the application language carefully. If it calls for you to enter every position ever held, you must do so, but perhaps it is only asking for 10 years, or maybe the past five jobs. Just be sure you are not giving away more information than is required, based on a careful review of the application language. I do understand, however, that when an application asks for your birth date, there is little you can do not to convey your age. Sometimes I find that candidates expect to have to present “everything” on an application when the language doesn’t demand such detail. Try to emulate the more strategic picture you have created on your resume, when at all possible, to ensure that the application does not serve as a potential disqualifier. Best of luck.
— Samantha Nolan is an advanced personal branding strategist and career expert and is the founder and CEO of Nolan Branding. Do you have a resume, career or job-search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at dear sam@ nolan branding. com. For more information about Nolan Branding’s services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 888-9-MY-BRAND or 614-570-3442.