Most Common Job Search Myths That You Need to Forget

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3 years ago

Looking for a job and worried you will never one? Perhaps you are concerned because you believe one of these common job search myths…

Most Common Job Search Myths That You Need to Forget

1. I have NO experience in this industry. They’ll never hire me!

You can certainly be hired at a company that is in a different industry. Often, companies want people who are “outsiders” and have broad experience from other industries that they can bring into their own company.

I don’t want to ignore the fact that — at times — there is information and experience you may lack when you transition industries. So, you may need to take a position at a level below your current position or a role that you may have already done previously in your career.

So, I won’t say that there aren’t trade-offs to consider when switching industries, but I can say that you can absolutely do it!

2. That company is laying off people so they can’t hire me!

You very much can still get a job at a company that is going through layoffs. Often companies are letting people go in one area in which the company’s needs are decreasing. However, this is often due to changing priorities and focus….which often means that needs and opportunities are popping up elsewhere in the company.

I have personally experienced a situation in which my department was downsizing and my job was being eliminated, but I was quickly hired into another part of the company. I was lucky; often, skills aren’t transferrable across departments. In this case, the company will absolutely be hiring externally.

So, YES, you can get a job at a company that is laying people off!

3. All you need is a good resume. If I’m the right candidate, my resume will get noticed.

Nope, not true. A resume is really the entry requirement into a job search. But, it alone will not be enough. Your resume and experience could be perfect for a specific job, but if no one sees the resume, you’ll never get hired.

You need to complement your great resume with networking! You should make connections at the companies you are applying to and schedule informational interviews with current employees there. Ask them key questions such as:

What are the responsibilities of the role?
What does good look like for a person in this role?
Where do people go after this position?
What do you like/dislike about the job?
What advice would you give yourself when you were just starting in this role? Or to someone just starting?

Be sure to explain your interest in the role and if you think it’s a good next step for you. This may turn into a real interview for this position, or a similar one at the company down the line!

So, yes, you definitely need more than a good resume in order to get the job. You need connections to help you get your resume noticed!

4. I’m TOO OLD to get hired!

I can’t lie and say that ageism isn’t an issue when it comes to hiring. Yes, great candidates can be overlooked because they are older than the typical employee for that role and, as such, can be perceived to be not hardworking or won’t fit in with younger employees.

That said, older employees tend to have extensive experience. They have acquired a wide variety of skills in their years in the workforce and have had many successes and failures. Employers would certainly want that type of employee working for them!

So, if you can show how your extensive experience will help you succeed in this role and that you are eager to have it, then you have a good shot at getting hired!

5. No one will hire me if I’m out of a job!

Certainly, that isn’t the case during a global recession! Many qualified people have found themselves without a job and/or looking for different employment opportunities.

But, what about in a good economy?

As long as you explain credibly why you are looking for a new job, this shouldn’t be an issue. People always look for new opportunities, especially in a rapidly evolving economy.

If you were fired for cause, you may not want to bring that up to the front and center of your discussions with a potential employer. I certainly wouldn’t lie, because they mind find out somehow (e.g., through previous employees, etc). However, you can say something like, “I had a disagreement with my previous employer about ABC, and I was let go.” Quick, to the point, and then move quickly to emphasize why you are a good fit for the role for which you are applying.

6. You have to meet all the job requirements in order to be considered

You should view the job requirements as a “wish list” for the hiring manager. They would certainly like a candidate that possesses ALL of those skills and experiences. However — I can tell you — as a hiring manager, people that possess ALL of the skills and experiences in my job description often do not want the job I’m hiring for.

Why would they? They already have done everything that the job entails.

So, I look at the “required” skills and experiences in a job description as guidance. You should certainly have some of them on your resume. However, if you don’t have all of them, just be prepared to explain 2 things:

Why you want those skills and experiences?
How do you plan to grow in the areas where you have deficits?

If you don’t have all the skills BUT you are interested in obtaining them, AND willing to learn, then you will go to the top of the list of candidates for the job!

7. You need to be an extrovert in order to get a job

This simply is not true. Introverts are very powerful and effective employees. They are often exceptionally smart, critical thinkers who are able to influence others in a sublet, yet effective way. Often, they just need to approach communication a little differently during an interview than they are used to in order to demonstrate the unique value they bring.

As an introvert, the more you practice your responses to key questions and prepare for the “small talk” required in an interview, you will do well! When introverts get the chance to prepare, they are amongst the most formidable candidates because they’ve studied the job description, have done a ton of research, and learned a great deal from informational interviews.

How about you? What job search myths have you heard? Which ones are actually true?!

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