Ten Job Hunting Myths

THE MYTHS:

1. Without an excellent resume and cover letter, you'll never beat the competition and get the interview.
2. The best way to find a job is by using the Internet.
3. Resumes are screened to find the best qualified candidates.
4. If you are qualified and you apply, you deserve an interview. If you don't get the interview or even any response, you are not qualified for that job opening.
5. If you ask everyone you know to help you find a job, someone will find one for you.
6. It's not what you know, it's who you know.
7. If you follow up with an employer more than three times, you are being a pest. And pests don't get jobs.
8. If someone says "No" to you about a job, they mean "No."
9. To win the interview, you have to sell yourself by telling them how wonderful you are.
10. I can't find a job because of the economy. It stinks and the best jobs are going overseas.

LET'S GET REAL!

1. Most interviews come from initial contacts without a resume or cover letter.
2. The best way to find current leads is by using the Internet. The best way to find a job is by developing other leads.
3. Resumes are screened to find keywords and potential problems.
4. Being qualified is not enough. First you need to get noticed.
5. If you ask and expect everyone you know to help you find a job, you'll lose a lot of friends.
6. It's not who you know, but who knows and appreciates YOU.
7. Following up the right way is persistence. Following up the wrong way is pestering. And most leads become interviews after a minimum of 7-10 follow ups.
8. If someone says "No" to you after an interview, they very likely mean "Not now."
9. To win the interview, you have to ask questions, listen to the answers and tell them what they want to hear. Most people can't sell. They talk too much about themselves and don't listen to their customers.
10. There are always jobs for people who develop the right contacts, get involved in the business, and show employers how they can improve the bottom line.

Learn the right way and find the resources you need for your job search success at www.jvsdet.org and www.ParnossahWorksDetroit.org. Join us at NextJobs~JVS Detroit on www.LinkedIn.com.

You can reach me, Walt Tarrow, at wtarrow@jvsdet.org.