8 Lies You've Been Told About Your Job Search
Posted on November 30, 2018 by Krystal Yates, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
There is a ton conflicting advice out there for job seekers. This article breaks down 8 of the most common misconceptions.
1. A resume should always be one page.
Those fresh out of school or with only one or two previous positions should use one page. Past that, two pages are appropriate. But never more. Your resume is your brochure, not your catalog. Focus on your relevant experience and forget the rest.
2. The more online jobs you apply for, the better your chances.
While there are great online sites, the best place to find a job is through your network. Spend a couple of hours a week at most online, then spend the rest of your time connecting with networking.
3. You should find out the dress code before the interview and dress to fit in.
Always dress at least one step up from the office norm. While crazy exceptions will always exist, most hiring managers prefer to see you put the effort into dressing in a suit – or at least business attire – for the interview. Stand out with your professionalism.
4. It is a recruiter’s job to find you a job.
It is the recruiter’s job to fill an open position. Their loyalty lies with the company that hired them. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use recruiters, you just need to understand the dynamics and understand that you are their product, not their customer. And remember, it is perfectly acceptable to work with multiple recruiters.
5. You can’t apply to a job unless you meet all the posted requirements.
Ask yourself if you can reasonably do the job and use the 80 / 20 rule. If you have 80% of the skills listed go for it. It is rare that employers are able to find candidates with 100% of the qualities they are looking for, perhaps you meet the most important ones. You will never know if you don’t ask.
6. Tell the interviewer what they want to hear to improve your chances of getting the job.
Telling the recruiter what you think they want to hear might get you the job, but it won’t get you a job for which you are a good fit. This leads to job turnover and having to start the job hunting process over again. Be truthful and you will have a better chance of landing a great match. Besides, most recruiters can tell when you aren’t being sincere and are less likely to consider you for future positions that may be a good fit.
7. Asking questions during the interview is presumptuous and annoys most interviewers.
Intelligent questions not only show your interest level but give the interviewer an idea of what is important to you helping you to find exactly the right fit.
8. Negotiating makes you look pushy and could cause them to rescind the job offer.
It depends on the offer. Know your worth, know the industry and region pay range for your job and decide based upon that. But also remember that most hiring managers expect to negotiate. That means there is usually room in the budget.
