4 job search myths you should know about

If you’re currently looking for a job and have hope that you will land the role of your dreams, it’s important to be aware of the current market and what you could do to improve your employability. 

While you may feel hopeful that you’ll get an interview offer after submitting a job application, it’s worthwhile being aware of the myths that may be holding you back from making the most of your job search. 

Depending on your industry, you may have to do a lot of the grunt work during your job search before you land an interview. There are no “secrets” behind looking for a new job - it’s all a matter of submitting a tailored resume and cover letter to be considered as a potential candidate for a job.

Top 4 resume mistakes Australians make 

According to an article published on news.com.au in January 2018, job site Adzuna analysed 50,0000 resumes submitted to the site. It was found that 91% of applicants were making common resume mistakes that were hurting their chances of moving to the next stage of the recruitment process, which is an interview. Here are some of the mistakes that were found in their resumes:

• Incomplete employment history
• Incorrect file format and name
• Length was too short or long
• Spelling errors were found

To help avoid these common resume mistakes, Australians need to make the conscious effort of improving their applications by having an extra pair of eyes that will look over their resume, as well as review any sections that are considered to be irrelevant or not necessary. 

An employer who receives a resume including the mistakes above will most likely not consider you as a serious candidate, so it’s important to ensure that you submit a quality job application every single time.

If you want to help improve your chances of securing an interview for your potential dream job, here are some job search myths that are worth knowing about, according to The Muse: 

4 job search myths you should know about

1. Your passion will outweigh your lack of qualifications.
2. You will get a response from every job you apply for.
3. The hiring manager will know I’m a great fit.
4. If the job was meant for me, it’ll happen.

1. Your passion will outweigh your lack of qualifications.

Passion is a strong word but it’s not enough to get you over the line if you’re simply missing out the key qualifications you need to get you an interview for your ideal role. 

If you know you have a skills gap or you’re in an industry where a qualification can help you stand out from your competition, it’s important to take the next steps in your career and study a course. While passion is good to have, you’ll most likely be overlooked for a position if you don’t have the key qualifications and experience required for the role. 

Upskilled has over 80 qualifications which are Nationally Recognised you can choose from to help you upskill. They have an excellent range of courses in IT, business and community services. They are designed to be completed within 12 months or less, depending on your progress. 

With their flexible online delivery, you can juggle study so you don’t have to travel to and from a physical campus since you can work on your course from the comfort of your own home.

2. You will get a response from every job you apply for.

Rejection is tough and there is no doubt you’ll experience it during your job search. It’s important to have self-care practices in place so you don’t experience job search “burnout”. 

In most cases, you’re considered lucky if you get a response for a role you’ve applied for. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not every employer will have the time to respond to your initial job application. Depending on the role and industry, people who are trying to fill a position may get hundreds of applications that flood their inbox, simply making it an impossible task to respond back to everyone. 

The key to successful job searching is to be patient. If an employer is considering you for a role, expect to hear from them soon but if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks, it’s a sign that you should move on. If you genuinely want feedback in your application, contact the person responsible for recruitment and send them a follow up email. Keep it short and sweet and wait for a response accordingly. 

Again, it’s important to not take it personally if you do not get a reply back straightaway. Recruiters are busy people so it’s best to make use of your time and apply for other job opportunities in the meantime. 

Try not to dwell on the fact that you didn’t get an interview for your dream job. Some doors are just not meant to open for you!

3. The hiring manager will know I’m a great fit.

The hiring manager you send your job application to isn’t a mind reader. They won’t know you’re a great fit for the role unless they are genuinely interested in meeting you for a job interview. 

Even then, they still don’t know whether you’re a great fit. Just because you’re excellent on paper, you may not give the answers they want during the interview process, indicating that you’re not right for the role. It’s important to not assume that you’re suitable for a position until you finally have a sit down and chat with the hiring manager. 

Having an interview will help you learn more about the company and what they offer in terms of workplace culture, professional development and other benefits. 

4. If the job was meant for me, it’ll happen.

Having the mentality that a job was “meant” for you is a naive way of thinking. You need to be capable of recognising what job opportunity will play to your strengths and provide you with other skills that could increase your credibility for other roles.
 
Don’t bank on the idea that getting a new job opportunity is bound to happen because you believe so. Given that you meet the criteria for the job, it will become available to you if you’re at least aware that you’ve played your cards right during your job search.

Want your job application to stand out?

Whether you’re changing careers or simply on the lookout for a new job opportunity, Upskilled has a great selection of courses that will help expand your skill set and prepare you for future job roles. 

Start your course search and have a look at the range of short courses, diplomas and certificates on offer and see what career outcomes you can achieve with an Upskilled qualification. 
 

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