Now that you are searching for a job I am sure you are getting tons of unsolicited advice on what you should be doing to land that dream job.
But let me ask you a question: Are you sure the tidbits of advice you have received are not outdated? What if the advice is just downright wrong? Following outdated job search advice will likely hurt your chances of being competitive as a Job Seeker. So how do you find out which advice is sound and which advice should be avoided?
To arm yourself against poor job search advice, take a look at the following top 5 outdated job search myths listed below:
Myth #1: Your resume can only be one page. This is one of the most ridiculous pieces of advice out there! Of course all your content should be relevant; however you should focus on providing enough great job qualification content to show the hiring manager you are competitive for the position. So don’t worry about some arbitrary page limit!
Myth #2: Include “references available upon your request” on the bottom of your resume. This statement is about as relevant to your ability to do the job as you stating you love long walks on the beach and know how to needlepoint. Believe me, if the hiring manager wants references, she will request them! Be sure to only include content relevant to how you meet the job qualifications in your resume.
Myth #3: Include an objective. Including an objective in your resume can be catastrophic. One of my applicant’s resume objectives stated “To obtain an entry level position as a financial analyst in a company where I will be able to grow and meet new challenges”. Not a bad objective, right? The problem is he was applying for a position with me as a recruiter…YIKES!
I recommend leaving the objective off and if you feel you need to craft a message, a well written cover letter will be a million times more effective than an objective!
Myth #4: Mail or fax your resume to perspective employers…or better yet, drop your resume off in person. Believe me when I say you won’t stand out…you will look outdated! It is extremely rare for businesses to accept applications or job inquiries any other way except electronically. I would recommend you not even invest in good resume paper as hard copy resumes are a thing of the past.
Myth #5: Frame your “weakness” as a positive. Being asked to describe one of your weaknesses is probably one of the toughest questions to expect during an interview. When a Hiring Manager asks you this question, she is not only analyzing whether or not you recognize your weaknesses, but wants to know if you have a plan to do something about them.
Answering this question is a chance for you to show your self-awareness as well as your willingness to continually improve as a professional. Spend time preparing for this question so you dazzle your future employer with your maturity. Whatever you do, do not attempt to fluff your way through this question by using a false positive, self-serving statement like “I work too many hours”, “I am too hard on my team”, or “I am a perfectionist”. Your interviewer will see straight through this type of answer and will not be impressed.
I do hope this “myth buster” article has been of benefit.
Investing in a Lifetime of Success,
Angela Roberts
www.craresources.com
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Related articles:
- How to Write an Effective Resume
- How to Prepare for an Effective Phone Interview
- How to Conduct Powerful Phone Interviews
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