The job search can take a while depending on a variety of factors. In some cases, while friends and colleagues’ efforts to guide your search can be successful, it’s just as common that their advice is based on incorrect myths that have been around for years. Sometimes they can even distract you from the right things to do. In any case, it’s a good idea to second-guess some advice if you hear it in a certain way.
US News and World Report found that one prime example of a job search myth is that a resume has to be an end-all, be-all representation of your entire career, as there’s no telling what minor detail could draw attention from the right hiring manager. However, in many cases, those hiring managers would consider most of this material fluff that distracts from and overwhelms pertinent and important information.
Instead, the news source said, you should consider the resume a piece of marketing, almost like a movie trailer. As compared to filling it with information that sounds good but might not be directly appealing, you might do better to target key information that is directly relevant to the positions you apply to. If instead of seeing your high school and college work history, a manager only sees your professional experience, he or she is more likely to take you seriously. Focusing on skills and accomplishments directly relevant to a specific position can be a big long-term boon to your chances of finding a great job.
The interview is a back-and-forth
Another common misconception that the news source has found is that too many people focus on preparing only for their end of the interview, thinking about potential questions and missing out on important information. Instead of a direct one-way questioning, the interview is instead intended to lend itself to a rapport, with a fair and balanced back and forth conversation. Whether it means asking the interviewer if one of your answers was what they were looking for or coming up with your own questions in the process that can allow you to learn more about the company itself, doing so can give you better insight and make your interviewers think of you in a more positive light.
By considering the interview an even-handed process, you’ll likely be able to better relate aspects of your experience and learned skills in the discussion, allowing you a clearer chance to explain your past and giving you a better opportunity to stand out from among the competition.
Online connectivity should stand out
LinkedIn is often considered to be an extension of the resume, but the news source said it needs to be much more. The website allows users to complete every section easily, and gives opportunities to add everything from PowerPoint presentations to portfolios of work, as well as skills and languages. It’s also OK to drop third-person writing, instead keeping things personal by writing in the first-person.
Business Insider added that many people consider online networking and real networking to be an “either-or” prospect, where one can detract from another. The opposite is true. Online networking can go hand-in-hand with in-person networking to help job seekers reach better results. Meeting people in-person can be used to extend your network, while online friends can easily be met in person. It’s not just about making a connection but maintaining and keeping it together, which is why both versions of the process can work in harmony.