Are you hearing all sorts of conflicting information about job search and are starting to wonder what you should do to find your next job, possibly even your DREAM JOB?
The reality is that times have changed and job searching today is an entirely different task than it was even just 5 years ago!
Technology and the information super highway have changed things so drastically that it’s hard to keep up with it all, especially if you’ve been with the same employer for a number of years…
I get so many questions from anxious and confused job seekers who are baffled and overwhelmed at the prospect of figuring it all out, especially if they’re currently out of work or actively looking for something new, being unhappy with their current situation.
In today’s post, I dispel some of the most common job search myths that exist today and highlight for you, what works best in this market.
# 1: NOTHING HAPPENS OVER THE HOLIDAYS This is where A LOT of job seekers go wrong and ruin their chances of getting a great role.
COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT CANDIDATES TO FILL ROLES, ALL THE TIME.
It doesn’t matter that it’s holiday time or that it’s winter or summer of whatever time of year it is. Roles become available for a variety of reasons, at all sorts of times of year. Maybe….
- Someone just quit and they were in charge of managing their top account, and they need to find a replacement immediately, or risk losing or jeopardizing significant revenue!
- The company is gearing up for massive growth in the coming year or even quarter and they’ll need more people to get the job done and meet their commitments
- One of their key supervisors had to suddenly retire early due to a family emergency and they have no one to cover their desk
Events like these happen all the time and managers often have no control or way to anticipate them which is why they might have to scramble to fill positions fast.
And the holidays are a period where a lot of job seekers make that mistake of putting their search on hold: this means there’s more opportunities available for those that stick it out! I saw this myself in my own job search a couple of years ago. My busiest time came right before and after the Christmas Holiday season.
I EVEN HAD A FINAL INTERVIEW ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, WHERE I HAD TO BE FLOWN 500 MILES AWAY TO THE COMPANY’S HEADQUARTERS FOR A PANEL INTERVIEW!
You read that correctly, on December 31st at 2 pm in the afternoon. I’m on a plane going in for that important interview…. one of 2 candidates to make it to the final round from the hundreds that applied on LinkedIn.
The reality was that this was the only day that top management could meet with us, they were just so busy due to the additional workload that the sudden vacancy on the team created.
All this to illustrate that if you’re serious about your job search, you must stay in the game and that gives you a distinct advantage over other candidates.
# 2: THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES GET THE BEST JOBS
Sure, employers are looking for qualified candidates to fill their job openings and they also want ones that will have just the right level of experience.
But THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY that employers are looking for ultimately is for the RIGHT FIT.
This may sound cliche to you but it cannot be underestimated. Most often, when a new employee fails in a new role/company, it’s not because of their lack of talent, skills and experience, it’s because they were not the right fit.
What does “FIT” mean? It means that they:
- Fit in with the existing team
- Embody the corporate values and the ones of the company’s leadership
- Seamlessly know how to act within the corporate culture
- Don’t clash with the “old guard” of employees that may have been with the company for 10 + years
- Make other employees at ease and are seen as a joy to work with
- Don’t make unnecessary waves, especially if they’re very new with the company
- Exhibit a “can do” attitude which is so desirable to employers
How can you position yourself to be a “FIT” for your target companies?
The best way is to make that list of dream companies that you’d like to work for and devise a strategy to meet with hiring managers there. You want to look for companies that have values that you can relate to, a culture that inspires you, and a workforce that you can see yourself thriving with.
# 3: IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW
I’m sure you’ve heard this one time and time again and to be honest, there’s some truth to it.
The reality is that building and nurturing a network is important not only to your job search but to your career in general.
However, when you leverage the best strategies for today’s job search it becomes about much more than just who you know.
For a successful job search today, you need to employ multiple strategies in conjunction with creating some tools that will help market you to the hiring team at your target companies. Yes, you can get an “in” by leveraging your network but you should not solely rely on this as your one job search tactic. Plus, it can be extremely discouraging to you as a job seeker to focus on this myth especially if at the present time you have a small network.
So rather than focus on your small network, focus instead on consistently building your network and, ramping up your job search activities and expanding your reach through LinkedIn, recruiters and targeted job boards.
# 4: THERE ARE NO GOOD JOBS AVAILABLE IN THIS ECONOMY!
You know the saying: you are what you eat? I like to think you also are what you think and you bring about what you think about. And the truth is that if the filter with which you look at your job search is “all the good jobs are taken” or “the economy stinks right now”, then you’re very unlikely to find that dream job you’re seeking.
Sure, we’ve gone through some tremendous challenges over the last several years in the job market. Yes, tons of people have lost their jobs. I went through it too. Wallowing in self pity or negativity however does nothing for your mindset or your odds of having a breakthrough with your job search efforts. How do you get over all the doom and gloom?
One of my favourite job search mantra’s is: “PROTECT YOUR MINDSET”… AT ALL COSTS!
It’s crucial to a successful job search plus it’s a great way to live a happy life too.
What does it mean to “protect your mindset”? It involves actively examining and managing a range of thought patterns and behaviours.
For example, if reading a negative news article about the job market gets you down, then guess what? Maybe you choose not to read those types of articles! Going to a particular networking group meeting doesn’t inspire and motivate you? Then maybe you should quit that group and find a better use of your networking activities.
Some of this may sound like common sense but I found that when I was looking for work, I had to actively remind myself to focus on thoughts and actions that supported and nurtured my mindset in a positive way.
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