There are so many myths floating around on the internet and conversation about the best and current protocols during the job searching process.
Here are a few that I have heard from some of my clients:
- Myth: Finding a job, the job you really want is hard, it may take years
Truth: Not necessarily. Much of it will depend on your focus, your location, the job for which you are searching and the biggest of all – your beliefs about finding the job. You see, if you really know what you are looking for in a job / career / position and have written down a clearly defined statement as to what you want, why you want it, how you will feel when you have it, why you believe you can have it – that, my friends will provide you with a clear focus.After you do that – write all that down – then, the next steps are to follow the gentle nudges, gut feelings, or what I call intuition about where to call, who to call, which companies may have an opening. You may be thinking about now that I have lost my mind and must live in some dream world. Hardly is that the situation. Just read the about me and yes, I currently coach career transition clients and when they follow what I suggest to them – they find a job – not just a job, but a career and just possibly the one of their dreams. It has happened on more than one occasion.
- Interviewing
Myth: You don’t have to dress up for an interview or write a thank you note after the interview.
Truth: Yes you do on both accounts.
Dressing appropriately for an interview is a must. That means that if you are interviewing for almost any job other than construction, assembly work, chain restaurant you must wear: Men – a suit or dress slacks / blazer / nice crisply ironed shirt and polished shoes. Women – a suit or dress slacks / skirt / blazer or jacket / polished shoes. If you are interviewing for construction or other types of jobs where the dress is much more casual, it is still appropriate to wear nice slacks / skirt or khakis and a nice blouse / shirt, even a polo type shirt and closed-toed shoes. NEVER wear flip flops or sandals. Thank you notes are a must – hand written is the best. Many HR professionals have told me that they would prefer to receive a hard to read hand written note that a brief email. It’s just not that hard to do and it doesn’t take that long. - Resumes:
Myth – Post your resume everywhere, your chances are better.
Truth – Just as I said in the first area – a focused job search plan is key. The key websites used for job searching are Linkedin.com, Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com unless there is a specific industry such as medical / educational / technical where these are posted.
These are just a few of the job searching myths out there – don’t get sucked by rumors or other people who are having difficulty. Keep you focus / network / reach out to companies where you would like to work and build a relationship.
And always, best wishes for your successful job search and if I can be of help, do not hesitate to contact me.
