Knowing what to do and what not to do during your job search
enables, you, the job seeker to have some advantages over uniformed
job seekers in the job marketplace. Furthermore, when you are
well-informed it is less stressful for you while searching. The
following is a list of the eight most common job search myths to be aware
of.
Job Search Falsehood #1 - Don't bother with a
cover letter since employers rarely read these anymore. Don't kid
yourself. Unless the employer says that a cover letter is not
required or specifically states not to send one you should always
compose one that targets the position you are looking at.
Job Search Falsehood #2 - You can be a more
attractive job candidate by lowering your salary requirements.
Unfortunately, this is a common misconception when it comes to
landing a job. When you do this, you're telling the employer that
you are not worth the money and/or that you are desperate.
Job Search Falsehood #3 - The only time to
schedule an interview is between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday
through Friday. This is another misconception. Granted the majority
of all job interviews happen during that time frame and on those
days, however if you're what that employer is looking for, there is
a good possibility that he may interview on and off-day or during
off-hours.
Job Search Falsehood #4 - You'll get interviews
as long as you keep posting and sending cover letters and resumes.
This is a passive job search strategy and does not work, unless you
are targeting the tightest of job markets.
Job Search Falsehood #5 - Always make sure to
list your progression of past employment and responsibilities.
Although this is fairly important, that prospective employer is
more concerned about your skills versus where you've been employed
prior. Studies have proven that an employer spends 20 seconds or
less looking at a person's resume. Therefore, focus on what is
important namely, your acquired skills.
Job Search Falsehood #6 - The majority of jobs
available are usually listed in the newspaper's classified ad
section. This is totally false. Generally speaking, only about 15%
to 20% of all the available jobs are ever listed in print. The
largest percentage of jobs are found in the closed or hidden job
market. The best way to find these jobs is by networking.
Job Search Falsehood #7 - You'll receive
multiple job offers when you post your resume at several Internet
job boards. Despite the fact that, you, the job seeker should post
their resume at these sites, they are not magical and there is no
guarantee that you will receive any offers. Typically, the success
at finding a job is not always relative to this one aspect of job
searching. With that being said, using several job boards expands
your reach. Think about it...each job board has a market share;
assuming the market share of each job board doesn't overlap, your
exposure is the cumulative total of the job boards or job sites you
use. The key is to minimize or eliminate the job boards with
overlapping market share. A look into a job board's affiliations
can help reveal the job sites with overlapping market share.
Job Search Falsehood #8 - Employers have the
tendency to frown on "job hoppers." The notion of employers shying
away from people who have had numerous jobs over a short period of
time is almost non-existent anymore. However, whenever possible,
stick with a job at least a year before moving on.
Author: Eliese Taylor