“You MUST follow up every single day, or else HR will forget about you!”
Have you heard something like that before? It’s just one of the many wives’ tales that come from the topic of job hunting, and statements like this regularly keep job seekers from finding their next career as quickly as they would like.
Our recruiting agency works has worked with job seekers for over 20 years, and we’ve heard it ALL when it comes to misconceptions about what it really takes to land the job you’re looking for. We decided to review some of the 5 most common myths, and see how they stack up with reality.
#1 : “Cover letters aren’t needed anymore.”
In the digital age where documents are being passed around online, many people we have worked with assume that cover letters are a thing of the past and they’re no longer needed. While the online world has made the hiring process so much more efficient, cover letters are still more popular than ever. A cover letter is a way for you to use your voice and explain what the potential employer will see in your resume. Plus, it shows that you are willing to go the extra mile to give the company all the information they need in order to make a responsible decision on who to hire.
#2: “I’ll get a response to my application.”
Many people expect to either receive an interview request or a response detailing why they were not picked for the position. This just isn’t true. Several places you apply to will send an automated email response informing you that they received your application, but not every business will reply, even if you follow up. It’s important to not let this discourage you, and just move on to the next. The job hunting process can be extensive and sometimes requires a lot of effort to land the position you’re looking for. You must learn how to handle rejection and no responses.
But if you do hear back, click here to learn some tips on honing your interview skills over Zoom. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote interviews have soared in popularity, so it’s certainly something you should be more than familiar with.
#3: “The hiring manager will be able to figure out if I’m the right fit for the job.”
While hiring managers have way more access to learn all they can about their potential candidates due to the Internet, you should never expect them to “figure things out.” Your resume and cover letter should have more than enough information about who you are and what your credentials are. You want to take as much heavy lifting away from the hiring manager as you can, so you can leave a tremendous first impression.
#4: My passion for the position will make them forget that I’m not exactly qualified.”
Companies certainly respect an energetic and interested candidate. But you are much more better off going for positions that are closer to your qualifications. For example, if a business is looking for a bare minimum of 10 years experience, they want to stick that number as closely as they can, because that position carries a ton of responsibility and requires experience. It’s important to stay in your lane and work on building up your resume before you start shooting for the stars.
#5: “All jobs are advertised.”
With sites such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed and Monster.com, people automatically assume that all the job positions they need to know about are on sites such as these. The truth is that only roughly 50% of jobs are filled on a more informal basis, which means that there was zero advertising involved or that someone was hired from within. It’s crucial for you to focus on your networking skills and also excel at the position you’re in, so more opportunities that you aren’t even aware of may come your way.
If you’re job hunting right now, we would love to assist you. Click here to read some helpful interview tips, or reach out to us by phone at (501) 812-5627 if you’re in need of professional assistance from a recruiting firm.
Carter Recruiting and Associates is one of the largest independent recruiting and outplacement companies in Arkansas. Our headquarters, located in Little Rock and our satellite office in Conway, both service accounts nationwide. We have satisfied clients and references from some of the largest companies in the state. With over 50 collective years of experience in the recruiting business, we have a vast amount of resources and knowledge to ensure a job well done.
Cherie Richardson
President
Cherie is the owner and president of Carter Recruiting and Associates. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Mississippi and has over 30 years of experience in the recruitment of executive and manufacturing professionals. Cherie’s work has been instrumental for new plant start-ups, as well as building and maintaining relationships throughout the region and state of Arkansas. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives and the National Association of Women Business Owners.