Friends and acquaintances may not be the most reliable source for job hunting tips. Chances are the things they know about job hunting may not be so different from what you know. What’s more, some of them may even be wrong. So before you submit to such beliefs, check out the list below.

Here are some common myths you (or your friends) may have heard about the job search:

Applying for advertised positions is the best way to find jobs. Indeed the Internet has made our lives more convenient and can offer a lot of resources for things we try to find. But what you might not be aware of is that the competition for online jobs is way higher than jobs that are not highly advertised. Because of this, your chances of getting a job on job search boards can be slim to none. Fact is, only about 20% of the jobs available are advertised publicly. Your chances of landing a job faster may really require you to use some elbow grease and do a lot of research to discover the hidden market.

The most qualified applicants will surely get the job. This is one of the most common myths that job seekers believe. Don’t be discouraged. Though other shortlisted applicants may be more qualified than you, you still get an equal chance of showing your value if called for an interview. Being referred by a credible source can also give you an edge and improve your chances over the best qualified applicants too.

Lowering your demands will make you a better choice. Yes, it’s a tough market nowadays. However, it doesn’t make it a reason to downsize yourself. Demanding just the right amount of salary or even higher can reflect your confidence in your abilities. Just be open for negotiation to show your flexibility. Don’t lower your demands too much because you will be miserable in the end if you can’t make ends meet. That can be stressful, to say the least. Know what you are worth and stick with it.

You’re too old for the job. Even if you’re tied to a bed or a wheelchair, you definitely can still get a job of your choice. There’s a job that suits everyone. Find yours. It doesn’t matter if the job you like is mostly pursued by younger applicants. If you’re qualified, there’s no reason why you won’t be given a fighting chance. You’ll never know if you’re too hesitant to try.

Companies don’t process applications on holiday season. A lot of applicants slack off or put off their application during the holidays or even the summer, thinking that companies are not actively processing job applications. But hey, jobs are available all throughout every year! People get promoted and a lot of companies experience turnovers (hence a shortage of workers) even during holidays. Don’t make this an excuse to sit on your bum and put your job search to sleep.

If any of these myths have kept you from going after that job or changing your career, then it is time for a change of mindset and start working on that resume and cover letter like…yesterday! Good luck with your job search.

Tags: career change, cover letter, job, job hunt, Job Search, job tips, new job, Personal Branding, professional, Resume, resumes

This entry was posted on Friday, August 6th, 2010 at 9:03 am and is filed under Applying for a Job, Career Changes, Free Advice, Job Search Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.