Job Hunting Myths!

We’ve all been there: you apply for a handful of jobs and do not hear a single word back. Maybe you received a generic rejection email, but then how do you know what to fix for next time? It feels like you are going in circles and coming closer and closer to compromising important factors of your job search just to get a dang call back already.

Believe it or not, there is actually a very simple fix for many of these issues. Despite what many applicants may think, following up with the company you applied to is actually a good thing! Most of the time, human eyes never see your application at all! When you put your name out there, the employer is more likely to move your resumé in front of an actual pair of eyes to determine if you could be a fit. It’s a much better option than getting lost in an application software system. Below are a few more myths about the job search and hiring process, and easy ways that you can change the way you hunt for jobs!

Keep in mind: the hiring process is not fair. In reality, you are the one who ends up having to do most of the heavy lifting throughout the process. You have to rework your resumé, clean up and be intentional with your online presence, and make yourself as noticeable as possible. Remember that oftentimes, companies would rather promote from within or shuffle people around instead of bringing in someone new – especially with leadership positions.
They want you to meet all qualifying criteria for the position. If you think you can just sit and wait for a position that has every single aspect that you’re looking for, or one where you meet each and every requirement listed, you will probably never find a job! Most of the time, job descriptions cannot completely reveal what the job will truly entail, and is sometimes used as a strategy to weed out certain applicants. Have confidence in your abilities and apply, you never know what might happen!
Passion can take you farther than anything. If you are motivated enough and can demonstrate that to the hiring manager, you will set yourself apart from countless others. Employers want to work with dedicated people who are self-driven and have the desire to see a company succeed. An applicant may have a degree from Harvard, but if they lack the passion to do anything else, they will never be successful in the job market.
Use keywords in your resumé! Set yourself apart from other applicants by choosing three unique words to describe who you are. Anyone can claim that they’re “hardworking and motivated,” but how else can you word it to make you stand out? Bust out the ol’ thesaurus and give your application a leg-up from the competition.

Your job hunt will take some time, but if you are willing to put in the effort, something good will come your way! Even if you do not get selected to interview, following up with the employer may get you more answers than doing nothing. The hiring process is advertised as something linear, orderly, and fair, but when you understand that this is not always the case, you will learn much more from each experience.