There are a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to really get a great paying job and stand out among the hundreds, if not thousands of applicants for one job.
There are some harmful behaviors and beliefs you have when approaching your job search. Good news is, those aren’t entirely your fault. They’ve been perpetuated from friends, family and recruiting teams. These beliefs might be holding you back without you ever realizing it!
At Thriving Ambition, Inc. I work with people who are looking to get a new position within a few months.
Here’s a question for you before diving in. Have you ever said or thought these things below?
“If someone would just give me the chance I know I would be great for the job.”
“I have a lot of experience but I can never get past the pre-screen. I suck at interviewing.”
“Ugh, how could I miss that question? I’ll never get an offer.”
If any of these sound like you, don’t worry. I’ll tell you about some of the common beliefs that might be holding you back in your job search and how you can overcome them.
Addressing these common beliefs will put you on your way to finally getting the job offer of a lifetime!
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash
Myth # 1: A good resume is all I need.
A great resume is one of the first steps to stand out from the other applicants, but that’s not everything. It doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get called for an interview or get a call at all.
Your resume needs to demonstrate your value, not just tasks. A job competition is not the time to be modest. The recruiters have never met you and don’t know what you’re capable of.
Show them by getting comfortable with talking about your past accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to “toot your own horn.” No one will know what you’ve done unless tell them. Talk to a career expert to help you get your thoughts into words so you can dazzle recruiters with your skills.
Myth #2: I have 20 years of experience, they’ll hire me quick.
Years of experience has some bearing on whether or not you get called for an interview or get an offer. But like the resume, it’s not everything.
I remember building up my team after a surge in work. We were moving fast and needed to keep up with the demand. There were gaps in my workforce that I needed to fill fast.
There were multiple talented people with 20 to 30 years of experience that applied. If a person stayed in the same position for more than 10 years, this was a red flag for me.
Why?
Variance of experience matters.
Moving around a couple of times shows that you’re able to jump into new situations and learn your way through.
Yes, it’s tough starting a new job, but today’s job market requires variance.
Been in a job for a long time?
Show your evolution instead. If you’re one of those employees with more than 10 years of experience in one role, make sure you demonstrate that you weren’t just doing the same thing for 10 years.
Illustrate how you innovated and created new processes and saved the company a bundle of money by implementing new strategies and techniques.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
Myth #3: I’ll submit my resume to these 5 job boards.
I’ll let you in on a secret.
You’re wasting your time. The job board is a great way to make you feel like you’re working hard to find a new job.
In reality, you’re not.
With the evolution of the internet job boards have become popular within the past 10 years makes it easy to hit the “submit” button and within minutes and potentially get their resume to a recruiter or hiring manager.
Reality of it is, these resumes sit waiting for already loaded recruiters to sort through them.
Build connections instead. Get from behind your computer and actually talk to someone who might be able to help you.
Sounds scary?
It doesn’t have to be. Think of people you already know who might be able to help. Call them up and start the conversation. Your network is a powerful tool, use it!
What else can you do to make sure that you are not left behind? Which one of these strategies are your favorite? Which one can you implement today?
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