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10 Job Search Myths That Can Hold You Back From Landing A Job by AnsaCareers: 1:12am On Aug 17, 2016 |
So, i just wrote a LONG article with 10 Job search myths and realities career experts won't tell you. I thought it could be useful to many of you here. Enjoy: http://www.ansacareers.com/10-job-search-myths-realities/ Lemme know if you want me to copy/paste the whole article here. It's like 1,700 words so might be a bit long. Cc Lalasticlala Ishilove Semid4lyfe Obinoscopy Iyangbali Introvert Lady F
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Re: 10 Job Search Myths That Can Hold You Back From Landing A Job by Nobody: 4:40pm On Aug 17, 2016 |
The job search is perhaps the most difficult job that
has been done in ones life. Although there are
thousands of ways and tools to search the desired
job, most candidates often have some
misconceptions about the right way they should
search. We analyze the following job search myths
and truths about finding a job and provide solutions
for what we need to do to find the dream job you are
looking for.
Job Search Myths and Realities
Image credit: source
Myth #. 1: Your CV should have a certain length
depending on your years of experience.
Truth: it is a matter of quality, not quantity!
Tip: Include information that relate directly to your
role and duties in the past, and with the duties of the
position to which you’re applying. There is no
absolute rule that defines the size of a CV – but there
are some general rules you should pay attention. If
your CV is long, with multiple pages, it is very difficult
for the employer to see your achievements with a
quick scan. For those who have significant work
experience, this means that you should omit or limit
non-related work experience. If your CV is very small,
the employer may not understand what you have to
offer and they’re will not look further to find out
further information.
Myth #. 2: your application will be read very
carefully.
Truth: You have just six seconds to impress your
employer before passing to the next candidate.
Tip: Most employers will take a quick look at your
resume before taking their decision. If interested,
they will read below. To immediately turn heads,
make sure that all the important elements of your CV
is visible on the first page and is configured so that it
is easy to read. Split into sections in your resume,
make sure you’re titles are correct and read the
advert properly to see if you have included all the
required information. Also, make sure there are no
typos, syntax or spelling errors, as such errors can
directly get you out of the game.
Myth #. 3: The cover letter is not required unless
requested.
Truth: The cover letter is one of the most important
tools in the job search and should always be included
in the application.
Tip: While it is true that employers often do not read
cover letters, a targeted cover letter should every of
your application. The cover letter is usually read after
the employer decides that you are capable for the job
or seen something interesting in your CV, but has not
yet decided with the job offer. As you stand, the
cover letter is an essential element of your
application and helps the employer to decide
whether to hire or not. Without the cover letter, the
employer has questions about your CV that go
unanswered (This is why you should always send a
cover letter that is targeted to the position you’re
applying).
Myth #. 4: A CV can be used for all jobs.
Truth: Your résumé should be targeted based on the
position in which you’re applying.
Tip: Most candidates make the mistake and use the
same CV for all positions in which they apply. If you
want to distinguish your CV, do the necessary
research and target your CV depending on the
position and the company to which you’re applying.
The majority of large multinational companies use an
automatic control system which filters the candidates
CVs before its seen by the employer. Target your CV
using the same keywords that appear in the advert,
focusing on concrete achievements and skills
relevant to the position, and make sure they meet all
criteria written in the job ad. This way, you are more
likely to pass to the next stage and to have the
opportunity to prove yourself in the interview.
Myth #. 5: If you follow up on your application, this
means that you are interested in the position in the
eyes of the employer.
Truth: If you’re a good candidate, the employer will
call you.
Tip: The information in your application (CV + cover
letter) should speak for you and to exemplify as a
possible candidate. To contact the employer to “show
your interest” in the position, is not going to change
his opinion as to whether you are fit for this position.
Instead of doing a follow up via Tel. or email, start
following the employer/company on Twitter, LinkedIn
– not to compel the employer to get an instant
decision at that time. Although some employers will
respond right away, others may take even weeks to
reply, in accordance with the recruitment procedures
that follow – so if you have news, this is bad news! Be
patient, and if you are the right candidate, the
employer will call you.
Myth #. 6: There are certain questions that you need
to ask in an interview.
Truth: Ask anything in concern.
Tip: You get 1–2 hours from your employer for the
interview in order to decide whether you’ll be hired –
make the time to count on your side! Make questions
relevant to the position to which you’re applying, and
which will make you understand what role / duties
you’ll take in the company. To start asking mundane
questions just to pass the time does not serves
anyone and is a waste of time for you and for your
employer.
Myth #. 7: all questions must be kept for the end of
the interview.
Truth: The interviews should be interactive and you
should ask questions when necessary.
Tip: Many employers will tell you politely that they’ll
answer all your questions at the end of the interview,
but generally an interview should flow like a normal
conversation. If the employer asks a question,
answer is needed. Reciprocating frequent asked
questions–answers you will be able to get answers
on specific issues to employ and to deepen the topics
in concern – otherwise you will wait until the end of
the interview and you’re most likely to have forgotten
what you wanted to ask.
Myth #. 8: The best way to get a job is to is to apply
through job websites (job boards).
Truth: Networking and social media is the best
means to get a job.
Tip: most companies pay handsomely, thousands of
dollars every year, to put their ads in large job
boards, until recently. Today, the situation has
changed. Although many employers are putting even
job ads in major job boards in Nigeria and abroad,
others have gone to active research candidates via
social media. See relevant pages and groups in social
media – especially Twitter and LinkedIn groups – in
order to find the right candidate. And also effectively
exploit their network of contacts. If there is a
particular company that you are interested in, don’t
wait till when they open the position that you are
seeking – there may be a hidden positions in the
company that is perfect for you! Connect with HR
Managers and decision makers of your dream
company, talk to them, ask for the position you are
interested in. connect with people and build a
professional relationship with them. Also, you can
enter into various groups on LinkedIn, where various
professionals are focused and to follow up on
discussions, make comments or questions that you
probably have. Whatever you do, it is important to
know that your network of contacts can help you find
your next job.
See: How To Use LinkedIn To Get Your Dream Job:
The Best Tips!
Myth #. 9: Do not discuss anything related to your
salary before the proposal for the job.
Truth: Do your research! That is why there is
Glassdoor.
Tip: The discussion of salary is always a difficult
situation. Most advice suggests that it is better to
leave this piece for the end of the interview. It is a
difficult decision, if you ask for more money than
they can give you, you can automatically get Unlisted,
if you ask very little money, it is very difficult then to
get a pay rise within a reasonable time. Most
candidates want to hear a certain amount in order to
accept the job – if you arrive at the third interview
and hear something less, you’ve wasted your time
and the company. If you are in this situation, it is
good to clarify your position early on, giving a range
of values for the desired salary you would like to
receive. Otherwise, do a market survey and Keep in
mind the monthly wage received by workers in the
same position in other companies, as well as for the
company. So, if you need to answer to a press
question, “What salary would you like to receive” –
your response will be within the payroll of the
company to be able from there to negotiate your final
salary.
Myth #. 10: Promote yourself in every way to win the
attention of the employer.
Truth: The skills will ensure your job – not the tricks.
Tip: employers are bombarded daily by thousands of
requests that all aim at the same position. And if your
tricks, make your application stand out, more often
than not will be a negative impact. In the final, your
skills are among the most important sections in your
CV.
If the prerequisite skills and professional experience
are not sufficient
, it doesn’t matter if you include a cover letter in
which you write that you are “the ideal candidate for
the position,” or you go personally to give your CV to
the company or you sent the employer a box of
chocolates (Tip: never do any of the above!)
Bonus job search myths
Myth no. 11: If you follow the rules, you will
immediately get a job.
Truth: There is no “secret recipe” to get a job.
Tip: Every job is different, every company is different,
and each employer is different. There are some rules
used by employers in their search, but in fact, every
employer is looking for something specific that,
either have or not. If you do not receive replies to job
applications, find what is to went wrong, changed
and continued until you find the recipe of success for
you. As we said earlier, the days we made
applications blindly and finds jobs are over – so used
all the tools you have in your hands in order to build
a professional CV and submit it to the right
companies. |
Re: 10 Job Search Myths That Can Hold You Back From Landing A Job by casttlebarbz(m): 5:02pm On Aug 17, 2016 |
666......booking number |
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