8 Job Search Myths Weve Debunked - Walrath Recruiting, Inc.

8 Job Search Myths Weve Debunked - Walrath Recruiting, Inc. When youre searching for a job, there are so many things to consider, so much advice given and so many rules that seem to pop up. Knowing what advice is accurate, and whats considered a myth can help you with a more successful job search. Check out these 8 myths about job searching, below! 1. Myth: Network/ Connections Are How You Get a Job Utilizing existing connections are a great tool in finding  a job, but thats not the only successful way to do so. Regardless of the myth that connections are the only way, your skills, experience and your personality are ultimately what determines landing a job. If you are the best fit for that position, you will be offered the job regardless of knowing anyone at the company prior or not. 2. Myth: Your Resume Should Not Exceed One Page Stating that your resume should be no longer than a single page is another myth. The goal is not to exclude all of your experiences just so it will fit on one page.  Of course each company is different, however, the goal is merely to avoid getting too lengthy and being too wordy. Resumes should be concise and portray your experiences, education, and skills very clearly. So dont worry if your resume leaks onto page two. Quality over quantity is important here. 3. Myth: Cover Letters and Resumes Are The Same Thing Cover letters and resumes serve two completely different purposes. A resumes purpose is to list your experience, skills, and education in a chronological way. It provides the hiring manager/recruiter with all of the logistical and statistical information needed to understand your background and experience. A cover letter, however, is simply an introduction to highlight why you believe you would be a great fit for the job. So when you do include a cover letter with your resume, use this to compliment your resume as a warm introduction. Not as a way to duplicate it. 4. Myth: Generalize Your Resume to Fit All Jobs One of the biggest myths regarding resumes is to generalize your experience so that it can relate to all of the jobs youre applying to. This may save you time initially. However, the more generic your resume is, the more difficult it becomes for the company/recruiter to recognize if youre a good fit.   If you are applying to different roles that require different responsibilities, adjust accordingly. Its best to elaborate on past positions youve had that relate  to that specific job and increase your chances of having the experience theyre looking for. 5. Myth: Rewrite Your Resume Each Time You Apply to A New Job Going off the previous myth, rewriting your resume for every job you apply to is also a complete waste of time. While you do want to make sure you are elaborating on your job experiences that relate to positions youre applying to, you also dont need to rewrite your resume every time. Instead, tweak positions that may be more relevant to a job youre applying to. For example, if you have sales experience, you may want to elaborate on the job responsibilities for that specific job to highlight as much as you can about your experience in sales. 6. Myth: Sell Yourself Although you want to make a great impression in an interview,  you also want to be honest.  Interviews should be lead like an open conversation. The more open and honest you are, the more the company/recruiter will be able to determine whether or not youre a good fit. If you are completely against be a cold-call sales representative, its better, to be honest, and upfront, than to just say yes because you think it will get you the job. It is not your responsibility to say all of the right things, its your job to find out if your experience and what you have to offer lines up with what the company is looking for. 7. Myth: Higher Education Will Get You a Job While higher education is required for some job positions, it’s not for all. For some industries, having experience is MORE important to employer’s post-college than say, having a Masters Degree. Office or real-time experiences can give you more of an advantage than extensive years of education. So before you enroll in extra education because you think it will affect your success in landing a job, check the industry first so youre aware of the requirements. 8. Myth: The More Experience The Better Luck Youll Have On the other side of the coin, theres a myth that the longer your experience at a job, the more likely youll score a position. However, it can also do the exact opposite. In today’s society, a few years of experience at different companies shows you are learning, diverse and can adapt to different ways of doing things. So dont discredit yourself if you dont have 7+ years at said company. Your 3 years at one position may say plenty.