Prior to COVID-19 (or “BC” before Corona), in my role as an Executive Resume Writer, I worked with many contemplating career moves to test the job search waters. Post-corona or “PC” countless more have been forced to take a hard look at a career pivot as part of emergency planning, layoffs or furloughs.
These last few months mark a time when all – especially job seekers – feel overwhelmed and probably more than a little confused by all the conflicting advice available to them about job hunting.
When it comes to sifting through it all, it can be comforting to look to stats for clarity to determine if job search advice is myth or truth. This article focuses on the stats.
Myth #1: Job Hopping Will Hurt Your Career
While leaving several roles every 12 months can still set off alarms, the idea that one needs to stay at a role for 3+ years for fear of not appearing loyal is nothing to worry about. During the 2008 Recession, when many had been laid off or accepted gap roles, while there certainly hiring managers that were real jerks about it and looked sideways at gaps, in my experience there were many more that understood that times were rough and cut a people a break.
The truth? The stats favor those who hop. A 2016 ADP analysis highlighted in this Quartz article actually suggests that by NOT hopping you may be hurting your career. The authors note the following:
- Those who stay at least 2 years will get a larger salary boost than those who stay longer than 5.
- When you do leave your role or company, career change or otherwise, you will see less pay growth if you had stayed more than 5 years.
- You are less likely to get a big pay bump if you stay with the same employer.
The bottom line when it comes to job search? Leaving a role no longer carries with it the stigma it did decades ago.
Myth #2: If I Have a Strong Resume, I Can Make a Career Change by Applying Online
While job postings published in the past few weeks do have some urgency to them, competition from those who respond will be even greater. According to the stats, the odds of job seekers dramatically increase when they have a personal referral. According to Undercover Recruiter:
- Employee referrals account for 40% of all hires.
- 67% of employers and recruiters surveyed say the recruiting and hiring process is shorter for those that come in via referral.
The bottom line? A referral can act as a champion and/or be willing to take a risk on someone who’s experience is not 100% aligned with a job posting. Have you ever heard of ATS taking a risk? As an Executive Resume Writer, I can attest that the answer is no – because it is not programmed to do so.
Myth #3: When Making a Career Change, I Can Change My Resume But Leave LinkedIn Untouched
70% of employers use social media to research prospects, according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey. LinkedIn is imperative for social proof that your skills and experience are transferrable as a career changer.
3 Job Search Myths Busted and What They Mean for Career Changers Share on XWithout “proof” on social media, usually LinkedIn, that the expertise and accomplishments you claim on your resume are real, people may question those claims.
For those looking to keep their career change aspirations under the radar on LinkedIn, below are two approaches to consider depending on how you intend to pivot:
- If looking to change job functions, I recommend a headline and About section that includes key skills and areas of expertise common between your current and targeted role.
- If looking to break into a new industry, but in a similar role, I advise you to remove industry references from your LinkedIn to position yourself as industry agnostic.
The Bottom Line
Job search for career changers is tough, but not insurmountable, and there’s a great deal of advice out there to guide you. The above busts 3 common myths and shows why a job seeker’s greatest shot at success lies with networking to gain referral relationships, remaining on LinkedIn to show social proof of skills and expertise, and by remaining unafraid of outdated job-hopping misconceptions. 
Updated and previously published on job-hunt.org
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