Your parents, teachers, and friends all have their own ideas on how job hunting works and over the years, you’ve probably learned a lot from them. They have most likely given you valuable information based on their own experiences, but there are a few common myths about job hunting that you’ve heard….and should ignore.
It’s all about who you know
It’s true that knowing a friend or family member who works at a company increases your chances of getting a job there. The problem is that many people rely too much on this way of thinking and tend to focus their job hunts towards businesses in which they know they have an in. By only looking for work at places employed by people you know, your job hunting skills will start to get rusty.
By relying on your own job-search skills, you are honing your ability to find work posted online and network at local businesses. You’re also not depending on the person you know to get you the job. Instead, you will become an expert at tailoring your resume and cover letter to the different companies you’re applying to. There’s nothing wrong with getting a job because of who you know, just make sure you understand that it’s not the only way to find your next career.
Objectives don’t matter
Some people may tell you that writing an objective at the top of your resume is out-dated and unnecessary. It isn’t always going to get you an interview, but it doesn’t hurt. The objective is the first thing an employer will see and by writing one that fits the company you’re applying to, you may have secured yourself (at the very least) a phone call.
There are also many old-school employers who may still expect you to have an objective, so omitting one could potentially do more harm than not. Even if the person reading your resume immediately skips over the objective and looks right to your work experience, you still played it safe by having one. Just remember, you would rather have one and not need it than need it and not have one.
Employers can’t check your social media
Some think that employers checking your social-media accounts is a myth, but it’s this way of thinking that’s wrong. Not only can they do a background check of your social-media presence, but many of them will probably already have.
That picture of you chugging a beer or that status about how good that weed is can show up in a report covering things like your Facebook or Twitter. Even joking about drugs can make an employer throw out your resume. [1] Many believe this is unfair, and although this may be true, it happens either way.
Don’t just take what you can get
Some of the jobs you’re looking at may not be your dream career, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply. Having a gap in your employment history makes it more difficult for you to get a job; plus, it’s much easier to find work when you’re currently employed. Accepting a job offer from a company you don’t necessarily love, doesn’t mean you can’t keep applying to those you do; however, if the job you take is truly horrible, you can always leave, but by occupying any job you can get, it can help fund your search for the career you’ve always wanted.
The internet is your best job search resource
Taking your job search to online boards like Indeed.com and Monster.com isn’t a bad idea; just make sure you’re looking elsewhere. A large majority of jobs aren’t posted on the internet, so try networking around town at the businesses most likely to have a position in your field. Sure, they may not have any openings at the moment, but it’s worth taking the time to ask. If they tell you that they aren’t hiring at the moment but they keep your resume, they could easily call you the moment a position opens up.
Resources
[1] http://gizmodo.com/5818774/this-is-a-social-media-background-check
