How much of a job-hunting expert are you? Do you know your old wives tales of recruiting from the best practice today’s employers demand? Read over these 5 myths and misconceptions about job-hunting and see how many of them you believed in and how many you knew were mostly misdirection. Once you know a few of the tricks to job-hunting, you should be in a position to expect more job search success — and experience far less of that job search stress!
Myth 1: Scouring the Job Ads – On and Offline – Will Help You Find Most of the Suitable Vacancies
It remains one of the most alarming job search facts: only a very small percentage of available vacancies are ever advertised. Employers frequently source candidates internally, through their contact networks, via referrals and recommendations, as a result of speculative applications, or simply by headhunting candidates with the right skill set through social networking. For candidates, this changes the game, and means today’s job hunter has to work harder than ever to stand out from the crowd. So, what can you do to find those elusive opportunities, we hear you cry? Research, constantly developing your online and offline networks, and maintaining a professional presence on social media are all key to success.
Myth 2: The More Job Ads You Respond to, or Job Boards You Register With, the More Interviews You’ll Get
One of the most common job hunt misunderstandings we hear here at Adzuna Towers is that the quantity of applications you send out, or the number of online sites you register on, corresponds to interest from employers. Successful job-seekers are proactive in their job search. Not only do they pick the opportunities that fit them best, and tailor every application, they also follow up each and every lead with a call.
Myth 3: Job-Seekers Who Change Jobs Often are Frowned Upon by Employers
Many candidates we chat to fear the idea of being perceived as the dreaded “job-hopper”. The truth is, from an employer viewpoint, it is very much a question of perception. For candidates with multiple roles on their CVs, it is a question of positioning your reasoning: to get ahead and gain new skill sets, job-seekers often need to make multiple moves. Most employers recommend avoiding really short stints though — anything under a year — but outside of that there is no need to be concerned if your work history has several components – the key for future employers is to understand how each of your roles put you in an even better position to contribute to their business.
Myth 4: A Cover Letter is Not as Important as Other Job-Hunting Materials
A well-crafted cover letter does far more than tell your future employer why you are interested in the role. It demonstrates skills, communication skills, a thought pattern and your enthusiasm for their company in a way no other part of the job application process does. It is your chance to shine! A cover letter that stands out tells the employer concisely what you can contribute to their team, rather than why YOU want the job. Most important of all it is highly specific to the job they have on offer, or to their business, if it’s a speculative application.
Myth 5: Having Lower Salary Demands Makes You a More Attractive Job Candidate
The key word here is “reasonable”. Offering your services for far under market rate simply in order to add to your appeal for employers can in fact quickly have the exact opposite effect, making you appear desperate for the job, and may well result in you not getting the job offer. As long as your salary demands are within acceptable range for the job you’re seeking, as well as the industry and location of the employer, there is no harm in a little light negotiation. A word to the wise though – never be the first to bring up salary; let your future employer be the one to raise the question.
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