Like anything else that has existed for a long time, job hunting as a practice also has a few myths associated with it. The moment you start recognizing these myths, you would suddenly be looking at a brighter career and will certainly have a lot more options in front of you.
Myth #1 if you dont see it, it does not exist A common thought process amongst job seekers but still inaccurate. As per the Federal Employment Service in CA, as much as 85% of opportunities are not marketed or made available through the traditional channels that include newspaper ads, federal and state employment agencies, private agencies or even search firms. HOWEVER, as per one of the white papers from First Advantage, 07 - there are 44 million GenXers in the workforce to replace 77 million retirees. There are millions of executives who get new jobs every year.
Myth #2 registering at several internet job boards will result in multiple job offers One of the most prevalent misconceptions in job-hunting is that job-hunting on the Web is some magic elixir that will result in employers lining up to interview you. While job-hunting on the Web should be one component of a job search for most job-seekers, it should not be viewed as having any higher success rates than applying to help-wanted ads in the newspaper or trade magazines. Only about 5 percent of job-seekers obtain jobs through ads. Read more about job boards and job-hunting on the Internet.
Myth #3 want ads and other job posting represent the majority of jobs available Based on stats, only about 15-20 percent of all available jobs are ever publicly advertised in any medium. The vast majority of job openings are part of the “hidden” or “closed” job market. And the higher the position and salary, the less likely the position will be advertised at all. How can job-seekers discover these jobs? Networking is by far the most effective job search tool you can use. It is all about building relationships with people or agencies that can help you in your job search; it doesnt mean that you need to ask everyone you know if they have a job for you.
Myth #4 job-seekers who change jobs are frowned upon by employers The notion of “job-hoppers,” those job-seekers who had multiple jobs with short stays listed on their resumes, has been disappearing for years. Ever since the great “downsizing” and “rightsizing” of companies during the 1980s and 1990s, employers have recognized that there rarely is any logical progression — or corporate ladder — within any one company anymore. To get ahead and gain new skill sets, job-seekers often need to make multiple moves. However, avoid really short stints or frequent short stints under a year.
Myth #5 lowering your salary demands will make you a more attractive job candidate Job-seekers do not need to lower reasonable salary demands because doing so will just make you appear desperate for the job and may result in your not getting the job offer. And even if you got the offer and accepted it, you would most likely never be happy thinking that you could be earning more. The key is to know the industry level and have reasonable expectations that are within acceptable range for the job you are seeking along with the location of the employer. And never be the first to bring up salary; let the employer raise the topic. Read more about salary negotiation.
Myth #6 you have to schedule interviews between 9am - 5 pm Even though a lot of in person interviews still happen during the core business hours, most of the employers do recognize the need to be available during off hours to accommodate candidates who are already working on their current jobs. And its often better to interview during these times because there are fewer distractions.
Myth #7 the most qualified job-seekers get the best jobs Probably the biggest misconception about interviewing, it is not always the best qualified person who gets the job, but the job-seeker with the best mix of qualifications, interviewing skills, and rapport with his or her interviewer(s). If you get a job interview, its because the employer thinks there is a strong enough match of your skills, education, and experience to do the job. At the interview, you need to prove why you are the best person to fill the job. Read more about interviewing strategies.
Myth #8 when times are tough, take the first job offer you get Job hunting can be as strategic as buying or selling a house. You may get a great deal one day and may not get any options for weeks. You have weeks where you interview for positions and you are sure you will get an offer and no offer ever comes, and then there will be weeks when you get multiple interviews and perhaps multiple offers. Its important to be non impulsive about your decision making in which job to pick, only if you are sure that the job and the compensation represent the right career move. If not, a better offer will come along — and as long as you are not facing a critical situation, give yourself some more time.
Myth #9 hr screening interviews dont really matter, dont need preparation An hour is as important for the interviewer as it is for you. Even a non technical HR interview is held for a reason and more often than not ends up either filtering 30% of the candidates or at least passes on the feedback to the subsequent rounds which can easily be a deciding factor in case of a close competition with another candidate for the same position. Treat every interview opportunity — including an impromptu phone screen — as a pass/fail situation.
Myth #10 its pointless to request an interview with a company that isnt hiring 80% of companies would not like to miss a rock star candidate even if they did not have an immediate need. Dont miss an opportunity to set up a meeting with a company and get all possible information about short and long term business goals. Many employers will be willing to sit down with you if you show genuine interest. An informational interview probably won’t result in a job offer, but you will build your professional network and, in the process, may learn of future opportunities with the firm.
Myth #11 if you dont hear back from employer, the position is closed Just because a company hasn’t contacted you doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. It’s not uncommon for hiring managers to be so busy, they delay contacting candidates for as long as two months after posting an employment ad. Don’t let this discourage you; instead take action to see where you stand. An overwhelming 94 percent of executives surveyed by Robert Half International said candidates should contact hiring managers after submitting application materials; 82 percent of respondents recommend doing it — whether by e-mail, a phone call or personalized letter — within two weeks of submitting a resume.
Myth #12 theres no room for salary negotiation in todays job market Demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply in a number of specialties, and candidates with industry experience and expertise often receive multiple offers. Researching how much those with similar qualifications in your area are being paid will help you choose the best opportunity and negotiate a reasonable rate. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook is an excellent resource, as are industry publications, such as Robert Half International’s annual Salary Guide.
Myth #13 employers have all the power It is true employers have the power to hire and fire, but most employers are as concerned about finding good employees as job seekers are about finding good jobs. In fact, recruiting costs are a major concern in all industries. Part of the problem is that many job seekers postpone screening until after they are hired. Too many job seekers find out that their jobs are not what they thought and end up quitting. The Moral: Employers need good people as much as you need the right job. Do not just go after a job. Instead, run a focused Career Market Campaign and go after a number of job offers. Even though employers have the power, you just might be in the driver’s seat.
Myth #14 the best-qualified people get the best jobs Not necessarily! People who are hired are the ones who know how to get hired and then practice that skill. Your career is the key to most of the things you want in life. If you are serious about job hunting, get access to someone that can coach you on how to get hired and who has your best interest at heart.
Myth #15 a resume must show a logical progression of jobs and increased responsibility The most important part of a resume is showing that you have the skills, education (or training), and experience that the employer seeks. Most employers will spend less than 20 seconds reviewing your resume, which means you need to focus on the key components of your resume that will result in getting a job interview.
Closing To sum it up, if you are looking for a job be assured that there is a job there for you already. The key is to use the right channel to find that job and have the right approach towards reaching out to it. IdeaReboot has the resources, experience & technology to be that channel for you.