1) An email from an applicant whom I have never met starting without a greeting or with "Hi". (toss)

2) Blatantly ignore what I've requested be part of the application. (toss) 

3) An email saying "Hi, here's my resume" is NOT a cover letter. (toss)

4) A photo of said applicant front and center on the resume (all sorts of issues with HR laws). (toss)

5) A well crafted (read: spell checked) cover letter outlining those soft skills that won't be reflected in the work experience. (read)

6) A thoughtfully formatted resume (work experience first is prefered, but not a deal breaker) that has been updated and spell checked. (read)

7) If the applicant has never actually held a paying job (which is generally a deal breaker for me) there ought to be a statement as to WHY. (read)

8) A reflection of WHY the applicant wants to work at my site (beyond "I need an internship for class credit") -- either it is reflected in their cover letter as a career goal, they have family in the area, or they want to see what is the best fit for them. (read)

  

The list, to me, seems simple, but I work with a great many students and some of my high school seniors don't know how to even properly address an envelope (not making this up) and the college students don't have a clue how to write a letter let alone an email.  Schools, at all levels, are FAILING kids when it comes to the business world.