Job Search Myths

It is important to examine your beliefs about job searching and to separate myth from fact. The way you will conduct a search depends upon your perceptions, so eliminating misperceptions and false beliefs will enable you to get positive results more quickly. Below are a few myths and their corresponding facts. If you have questions about these or other job search issues, contact Career Development and Employment Services (CDES) to speak with a counselor.

MythFact

The Internet is the #1 way to find a job. Networking accounts for 60+% of how college grads find their first job in America. About 5% of job seekers find jobs through ads (Internet, newspaper, trade magazines). Posting resumes on multiple job boards may increase your spam, not job opportunities.
The Internet is useless in the job search. The Internet, when used wisely, is a valuable job search tool. It is great for researching companies, salary, and relocation information. Using targeted job boards and company websites increases your chances.
Finding a job will be easy. The average job search takes three to six months, longer if the economy is struggling. Factors influencing the length of a job search include: job market and the demand for your major (local, regional, national), flexibility in relocation, qualifications, time spent on the job search, interviewing skills, and the types of resources used in the search.
It is best to look for a job only in the U.S. Due to changing economic conditions, it is best to conduct a job search in the U.S., as well as in other countries.
I can put a resume together in an hour. An American style resume is your advertisement and it needs to be designed to get the employer’s attention. Getting help with developing a quality resume will result in more interviews over time. In today’s job market, you may need two resumes - a simple one (no fancy fonts, bolds, italics, etc.) for on-line posting, and the other prepared as a Word document to be used when mailing or emailing as an attachment. Use the CDES Resume Guide.
The most qualified get the best jobs. The best mix of qualifications, interpersonal skills, and interviewing skills will lead to the best offers. When offered an interview, the employer believes you match the basic qualifications of the job. How well you interview often will determine if you get the job offer.
The only jobs available are in the want ads. Only 20 to 30% of all job openings are in the want ads (Internet, newspaper, or trade magazines). The want ads are one tool and are good for locating information on job demand in a specific region.
I am on my own in my job search. CDES has counselors and resources that can make your job search more effective. The more people involved in the job search, the more opportunities you will generate.

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