How To Recover from Job Search Blunders, According to Recruiters

This content originally appeared in our Ask Altis: Job Search Icks Edition guide for job seekers.

Let’s face it — we’ve all had a job search blunder at some point. Whether it’s submitting a resume with a typo, forgetting to send a thank-you email or drawing a total blank during an interview, these moments happen. In fact, they’re so relatable that job seekers often ask us for advice on how to recover from job search fails, fumbles and faux pas like these. So, we thought — why not offer practical advice on handling these “icks” and tips to avoid them in the future?  

As a start, we’ve gathered some of the top blunders we’ve heard along with expert advice from our recruiters who see these situations play out IRL. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing their top tips and recovery strategies in our latest blog series, How to Recover from Job Search Blunders, According to Recruiters.

Here’s how to handle three of the most common job search blunders like a pro.

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1. Eek, Resume TYPOS!

It’s happened to all of us. You polish your resume, tailor your cover letter, hit submit on that application and then… you realize the resume you just sent has a typo in it. You really want to land an interview. Is a typo a total dealbreaker?

First of all, deep breath. Whether it’s a sneaky extra “the,” a misspelled company name, or a tragic “manger” instead of “manager” (RIP credibility), typos happen, especially when you’re rushing. Next time you wake up in the middle of the night realizing you wrote “detail-ornamented” in your cover letter, don’t panic. Here’s how to recover.

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Fix it in the moment

• ‍If it’s a minor typo: Let it go. One small mistake likely won’t torpedo your chances.  
• ‍If you’re applying through a portal: Some systems let you re-upload your resume. If that’s an option, swap it out ASAP.
• ‍If it’s a big one (wrong company name, major misspelling in your job title, etc.): Consider following up with a quick, polished email.

Example:

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],  

I just realized that my application for [Job Title] had a small typo. I’ve attached the corrected version here. Apologies for the oversight — looking forward to the opportunity!  

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Prevent this ick in the future

To avoid typo mishaps in the future, Gabriela Pineda, Senior Recruitment Partner at Altis recommends these tips:

1. Proofread, then proofread again. A great way to catch typos is to read your resume out loud. It helps catch errors your brain glosses over when reading silently.

2. Phone a friend. A second pair of eyes can help catch what you miss.

3. Use tech to your advantage. Use an AI tool like Grammarly or ChatGPT to help you spellcheck, fix grammar and punctuation flaws, or even correct sentence structure.

4. Slow down. We’re more likely to make mistakes when we rush. Focus on quality over speed.

“While typos aren’t ideal, one mistake won’t necessarily cost you the job. The key is to catch it early and move on.” — Gabriela Pineda, Altis Recruitment.

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2. Forgetting to send a thank-you email

Do you send a thank-you email after every job interview? How soon should you send one, and how long is too long to wait before following up?

While skipping a thank-you email won’t necessarily ruin your chances of getting a job, it’s a great way to reinforce your interest and professionalism. And forgetting to follow up with your interviewer altogether, especially when other contenders do, can make you seem less enthusiastic or engaged. But don’t stress — here’s how to recover.

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Fix it in the moment

• If you forget to send a thank-you email after your interview, here’s what you can do.
• ‍If it’s within 48 hours: Send the email ASAP. Keep it short, appreciative and professional.
• ‍If it’s been more than 3 days: It’s best to acknowledge the delay and make your message meaningful.

Here’s a helpful template you can use:

Hi [Interviewer’s Name],  

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for our conversation about [Job Title] last week. I apologize for the delayed follow-up and want to reinforce how much I truly appreciated learning more about [Company Name] and the team. I’m very excited about the opportunity and keen to contribute.

Thanks again!

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Prevent this ick in the future

1. Set a reminder. After every interview, set a calendar reminder to send a thank-you email within 24 hours.

2. Have a template ready. Keep a draft thank-you note handy, so you can quickly personalize and send it after each interview. Looking for ideas? Check out these samples.

3. Make it a habit. Always follow up after every interview — it leaves a lasting impression.

“Thank-you emails aren’t just polite; they show professionalism and interest in the role.” — Lernik Baranian, Senior Recruitment Partner, Altis Recruitment.

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3. Drawing a total blank during an interview

Interviews can be nerve-racking and time-consuming, with lots of prep to do in a short amount of time. Sometimes, you might skim over the company history or details of the role only to be asked about them on the spot. The key is staying calm and knowing how to recover rather than stumbling through a less-than-polished response.

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Fix it in the moment

If you find yourself drawing a blank mid-interview, here’s how to regain your composure:

Stay calm: It’s okay to admit that you don’t know everything — you’re human! You could say something like, “I realize I might not have all the details on that aspect of the role and would love to learn more. Would you mind sharing a bit more about [specific topic] so I can gain a better understanding of how my skills and experience apply?”

Offer to follow up with your response: If you don’t have the answer ready, don’t make it up. Instead, acknowledge that you’d like to think about it a bit more and will follow up with a detailed, thoughtful answer after the interview.

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Prevent this ick in the future

The more prepared you are, the more confidently you can handle unexpected moments.

1. Do your homework. Research the company, the role and the interviewer (if you know who it will be). Read up on the company’s major projects, latest announcements, new products and more — you never know when you’ll be asked about them.

2. Practise your answers. Think about the most common interview questions and say your answers out loud (either with an AI tool like ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice mode or with a friend). For tips, see our advice on answering the most common interview questions.

3. Ask questions. When in doubt, ask about the company culture, team dynamics or role responsibilities — this shows you’re interested and invested.

“Drawing a blank isn’t the end of the world. The key is how you handle it — staying calm and engaged makes all the difference.” — Eric Meyers, Senior Recruitment Partner, Altis Recruitment.

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Want advice on your worst job search ick?

Ask Altis! Submit your job search fails, flubs and faux pas to candidatecommunity@altis.com or by filling out the anonymous form here. Your ick could be featured in our next guide!

Now that you know how to avoid the biggest job search icks, you can confidently apply to open roles and ace your next interview. Browse available opportunities on our Job Portal.