Top 10 Job-Hunting MythsCareer World

January, 2002

Pages 22-24

1

All job openings are advertised in the classifieds or with employment agencies <15% of jobs are advertised Huge numbers apply for advertised jobs Same with employment agencies Try networking!

2The more resumes I mail out, the more likely I am to get a job. Waste of time and money 1/1470 resumes received by employers result

in job offers Customize resume to suit each job is more

effective

3The best-qualified people get the job. Also want people to fit in company’s

environment Hire based on personality and “gut feeling”

No experience, no job. You probably have more skills than you realize Make a list of extracurricular activities and some of

achievements Good communication skills Leadership Team Player 4

5No one is hiring. There are no jobs. People get tired of their jobs, move, get

promoted, retire For every person who leaves a job, a position

becomes available Even during hardest of times, 2 million job

openings at any given moment

Networking is the only way to get a job. Important part of any job search Effective job search requires combination of

strategies

6

7If you’ve been fired, you’re toast. The stigma of losing a job, which used to frighten

off employers, is virtually gone. People lose jobs today for all sorts of reasons. Employers will judge you on your attitude today, not

the fact that you’ve been fired. If you are bitter about being fired, though, your anger will

come across in interview

8Keep your resume to one page More important that it is interesting to read Three pages is stretching it, though Should pique the reader’s interest, not bore

him/her to death

9It’s better to look for a job when you still have one. More confidence, feel better about yourself so

seems easier BUT… Unemployed people have more time to devote

to an effective job search As long as you use an effective job search, it

does not matter if you are employed or not

10Job hunting is hard, boring, and no fun at all If you use effective job-search techniques, you won’t be

stressed at all—you’ll be excited! If you think looking is a hassle, that will show in your

efforts and your attitude, and this myth will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Visualize yourself in the job of your dreams Give yourself a pep talk whenever you feel discouraged.

The Most Effective Job-Hunting Methods Figure out your best skills Research employers that interest you and make an

appointment to see the person who has the power to hire you

Apply in person to a place you’d like to work, whether or not they are advertising a position

Ask friends and relatives for job leads Visit Web sites such as www.job-hunt.org or

www.monster.com for more options.

Tell me one thing you learned from the Top 10 Job Hunting Myths presentation.