by Thomas Moran, CEO of Addison Group
It’s inevitable that new job hunters will run into a plethora of career advice, both wanted and unwanted. As the job market continues to be tough and technology is increasing competitiveness the dos and don’ts of job searching are changing.
But while career advice is a useful tool in the job hunt, it can also be extremely outdated and counterproductive. Think about what makes sense and is current; the best advice is fresh, new and integrates technology we use in everyday life.
Here are five job hunting myths I’d like to debunk:
1. Avoid Social Media.
When used properly social media can be a very beneficial tool for potential employees. While LinkedIn is the obvious professional social media outlet, I suggest you follow companies on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with recent happenings.
Interacting with company pages or top employees on Twitter or Facebook can catch the attention of the company. Of course, you want to keep the message professional and relevant to the company or brand.
2. Resumes Should be One Page.
This is a good tip for those new to an industry; keeping your resume brief and to the point is suggested in that case. However, for veteran job hunters with more than two previous positions a longer resume may be ideal.
The main tip for resumes is to keep them relevant to the position at hand. If you’ve had multiple jobs with relevant experience then include them in your resume, even if that means going over one page. However, if you’re listing all of your experience from a high school restaurant job to a post college position in marketing, you’re missing the point and employers may miss the pertinent experience.
3. Always Stay for Two Years.
Longevity, company loyalty and stability still look great on a resume, but the need to stay at a job for at least two years before moving on isn’t the case anymore. Companies are recruiting more and people are taking advantage of social media and networking to stay on the look for new opportunities. Job hunters should be careful not to burn bridges when leaving and make the most of current positions.
4. Apply for Everything.
Applying for jobs across the board is a strategy that will likely help land a job quickly. However, this can also result in landing a less than desirable job that will put the job hunter back in the job hunt in a short period of time. I suggest targeting the job search, fine tuning resumes and being diligent with all communication.
5. Staffing Jobs Pay Less.
While some may assume a temporary position doesn’t offer as much compensation as a full-time position, this is a baseless claim. Jobs placed through a staffing firm offer a competitive paycheck, and many times come with a benefit package. With resume assistance and access to jobs not on traditional job boards, staffing firms can be a great assistance for job hunters. In addition, they are a great way to get a foot in the door at a company and temporary positions often lead to long-term opportunities.
Thomas Moran is the CEO of Chicago-based staffing firm Addison Group. Addison combines a national network and localized service for broad reach with a personal touch. Specialized practices deliver the right candidate at the right time in Administration, Engineering, Finance & Accounting, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Information Technology.
