No matter what career you seek, finding employment continues to be a challenge. To improve your chances, career experts advise correcting these common misconceptions.
Myth 1: Most jobs are advertised in newspapers and online sites.
Only 15 to 20 percent of job openings are publicly posted, reports Randall Hansen, publisher of Quintessential Careers website. The number of people actually hired through these ads is less than half that, he says.
To add insult to unemployment, many employers have increasingly found e-job applications more of a hassle than a help, says Christine Bolzan, founder of Graduate Career Coaching. “So many people automatically respond to the online offerings that employers are often reluctant to post a job,” she says.
If you search online for a job, Hansen recommends going directly to prospective employers’ websites or searching Google by profession, industry, or geographic area. “Many industry and professional associations also run job boards,” he says. “For example, the American Marketing Association has one for marketing professionals.”
Myth 2: The Internet is the modern way to search for work.
Use the Internet to gather information and promote yourself, but don’t depend on it as a one-stop e-shop for good job opportunities. Instead, focus on getting real face time. “Person-to-person networking has never been more important,” says Bolzan, who offers these suggestions to advertise yourself:
- Sound out friends and family about openings.
- Schedule informational interviews with people in your field of interest.
- Catch up with former colleagues and classmates.
- Get involved in professional organizations.
Myth 3: Resume + cover letter = interview + job.
Today, you have to market yourself and your skills, says J.T. O’Donnell, a career strategist and founder of Careerealism.com. Consider a career-focused website or blog as a way to tell your story, she says.
Use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to promote your experience, research what’s current in your career field, and develop professional contacts.
Myth 4: The more applications in play, the more offers on the way.
Put away the application shotgun and become a job sharpshooter, advises O’Donnell. Study the positions you want and identify the companies that have them. Then, aim carefully by crafting customized resumes and cover letters designed to hit the mark. “It’s a matter of quality over quantity,” she says.
Myth 5: Any job in this economy is a good job.
If the rent is due and your desired line of work still eludes you, taking a career detour may be unavoidable. At the same time, keep the faith with your long-range professional goals and keep your skills current by staying active in related organizations, taking a class to add new skills, or volunteering for an organization that relates to the job you’re interested in.
Myth 6: Experience and qualifications matter more than character.
Most interviewers gauge how well candidates might fit in with their team. At your interview, smile, make eye contact, ask informed questions, and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the position. Never undervalue authenticity and likability in your effort to win the job, advises O’Donnell.
Myth 7: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
It’s more a matter of how well you know them, when you knew them, and who they know, says Bolzan. “You need to stay in contact with decision makers even when they aren’t hiring,” she adds. “You need to let them know you’re still out there by gently touching base every thirty to forty-five days.”
Myth 8: The interview is all about you.
A job interview is more than a one-way audition of your skills and personality. You also need to show genuine interest in the company and position.
Learn everything you can about the company and the person who will be interviewing you; if you can find out that person’s name. Scope out online information about the company through Google searches. Learn about your interviewer through LinkedIn company profiles and corporate Tweeters. Shared alma maters, favorite teams, or professional memberships can go a long way in breaking the interview ice.
