At last check, LinkedIn hosts accounts of almost 800,000 experts that describe themselves as a Career Coach — even more with the title of Employment Coach or Resume Writer.
Between the advice of all of us “experts” and the well-meaning feedback given by those in our inner-circle, it’s not a shock that there are so many myths out there about the job search process.
Myth Busting
When it comes to myth-busting, my own job search advice is grounded in data, research, and frequent communications with LinkedIn trainers, HR pros, recruiters, and hiring managers.
Below are 3 common myths – BUSTED!
#1. I don’t want to limit my options – I need a resume that can target multiple roles.
Aside from good books or magazine articles, almost all other reading occurs when people are in a rush. The often-cited study by The Ladders backs this up and shows that most first-round reads of resumes last a total of 6 seconds.
That means you must make spell out immediately:
1) the role you are targeting.
2) how your skillset aligns closely with job requirements.
3) the achievements or accomplishments that cement for the reader that you know your stuff.
In other words, spell it out for the reader because when in a rush, it is unlikely they will connect the dots.
#2 Job hopping sets of red flags
Years ago, hiring managers valued long-time loyalty, and those that left every two or three years had to work hard to convince hiring pros that they were not a flight risk. Flash forward to today, however, and this is no longer the case.
While jumping from job to job every year or so still raises eyebrows, it’s fast becoming the norm that employees will begin a new job search once the challenge faced before them is complete. Share on XFor instance, if you were hired to build or turnaround a new sales territory, and you show that the territory is in good health or thriving, it is unlikely that the reader will question your job search. In other words, when this challenge is laid out in the resume and the verbiage indicates that it is resolved – readers accept that it is time to move on.
The stats also back up the notion that staying with a company long-term may hurt your salary potential. A 2016 ADP analysis shared in this Quartz article, reveals three interesting stats:
- Big salary bumps come after employees stay at least two, but not more than five years.
- After five years, your pay growth will be smaller when you do finally jump to a new role with a different company.
- Large pay raises are less likely when your experience takes place with one company.
#3 My resume is the most important thing I’ll need for my job hunt.
Decision-makers are searching for you online, and the data backs this up. In fact, the majority of employers (70%!) use social media to screen candidates according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey.
This means a powerfully-written resume is often not enough to land an interview.
Why? If there’s no digital proof to back up your resume claims, alarm bells may sound. Additionally, if your social media includes controversial posts – you risk the 
chance of hurting your reputation, getting a callback or making it to the next round of interviews.
I recommend the “grandmother litmus test.” If your grandmother wouldn’t approve, don’t share it online. This includes rants, venting sessions, and inappropriate pictures.
Instead, capitalize on the power of social media and use it to your advantage by including posts that cement your expertise and skills, and cast you in a positive light.
Again, the numbers back this up – with 37% of hiring managers indicating they looked for information online to support a candidate’s qualifications, and 33% reporting being impressed with a candidate’s professional image.
Common Job Search Myths are Avoidable
As shown above, the stats indeed bust the myths and back up the strategies articulated for how job seekers can increase their chances of impressing a hiring manager, getting a callback and landing a job.
Published originally in Job-Hunt.org.
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In need of some career advice, a refreshed resume or rebranded LinkedIn?
As the founder and chief writer at Virginia Franco Resumes, offering customized executive resume and LinkedIn profile writing services for high achieving job seekers, I’d be happy to chat!
VAFrancoResumes@gmail.com | https://www.virginiafrancoresumes.com
Call/Text: 704-771-8572