An effective job search today requires specific knowledge of how this all works. Of course, one can try and go one way or another; such an experimental approach doesn't often lead to success. Many job hunters feel confused when they don't get expected results as they don't really know how to sneak in today's highly competitive market. People who desperately seek employment are often misled by popular job search myths and as a result, fail to find a decent job. In this article, we would like to address some of the popular job search myths that keep people from getting hired. Obviously, we cannot cover all of them (we assume we don't know about all of them yet), but we think that addressing the most popular ones will be a good start.
The very first myth is related to resume writing. There is a misleading idea that a resume or CV is about you. While it is true that you are the subject, it is certainly misleading to claim that this is only about you. The influence of this myth is so strong that it often leads to the deadly mistake - wrong resume writing approach. When you develop your resume with the purpose of just explaining who you are (from a professional perspective) you can expect whatever you want, but unlikely get it. The key aspect in understanding effective resume writing is to present yourself in the context of the specific job opening. The thing is that every resume you write is for an employer, not for yourself. And when employers review your resume their task is not to check your background and the list of duties you used to be responsible for but to figure out whether you have what it takes to be a good fit for the position. SO there is a huge difference between listing your skills, experience, and qualifications in a vacuum and in the context of a specific position. In other words, presenting yourself isn't the right approach to resume writing. Presenting yourself in the light of a company needs is the whole different story, which can land you an interview.
The second myth is about interviews. Many people feel honored to be invited for an interview. Unfortunately, many job seekers believe that things about the company and potential employment will clear up during the meeting itself. It is a big mistake to assume that an interview is a time and place where a company will sell on the opportunity. It is also wrong to think that in an interview you will get to know the company better. An interview is a meeting where you should demonstrate value to the company. It is also extremely important to do your homework - learn about a company or the opportunities it can offer. If you believe an interviewing authority is to sell you on the position, you have just failed to make use of a good chance at the company.
Lastly, there is a wrong assumption that all you can do after an interview is wait hoping you get a call. That is not so. There is a far better option. After you came back fro the interview you may want to consider writing a follow-up letter, which is meant to demonstrate your interest in the position. Sometimes it can make the difference between you and other candidates. You can start the letter by expressing gratitude for having a chance to talk to the company representative. If you discussed any problems that a position offers, you can reassure that you are willing to address the challenges discussed. Don't create a generic cover letter, similar to the samples available throughout the Internet. Try to be specific and address the issues you discuss during the interview.
As we have said earlier, there are more myths. These three are among the most common ones. If you manage to avoid making such mistakes you will significantly increase your chances to find a decent job.
