Job hunting rumours set straight – SEEK Career Advice

There are lots of rumours that flow into concerning the job searching course of, so one of the crucial helpful steps you may take in the direction of discovering your dream job is to dispel any myths that could be holding you again. Right here Paul Hallam, founding director and CEO at Six Levels Government, helps to set the file straight on among the most typical job searching misconceptions to make sure your job search is successful.

Delusion 1: Each job is marketed. In accordance with Hallam, the digital age has modified the best way hiring managers and recruiters function. Some jobs aren’t even marketed as employers are more and more counting on worker networks and on-line profession profile websites reminiscent of SEEK Profile to proactively discover the fitting candidate for a task.

“Networking and being proactive on social media are two of the best job-search instruments,” says Hallam. “Even if you happen to’re beginning out in your profession, there are a selection of how you may construct your on-line presence and discover out about openings earlier than they change into identified to the general public,” Hallam suggests becoming a member of an organization’s Fb group and protecting your on-line profession profiles updated to make sure potential employers can discover you if they arrive wanting.

“It’s extra vital than ever to verify your job search is targeted and focused. When you can exhibit the place your expertise aligns with the wants of an organisation, you have obtained a a lot better probability of success than if you happen to simply ship out your resume en masse.”

Delusion 2: The extra jobs I apply for the extra probability I’ve of getting employed. In accordance with Hallam, casting a large internet and hoping for the most effective is unquestionably not the most effective job searching technique.

“It’s extra vital than ever to verify your job search is targeted and focused. When you can exhibit the place your expertise aligns with the wants of an organisation, you’ve obtained a a lot better probability of success than if you happen to simply ship out your resume en masse.”

Delusion 3: Searching for a job is just too time-consuming. It doesn’t should be. In accordance with Hallam, you solely must spend at some point a yr to maintain your resume and on-line profession presence up-to-date. “When you dedicate at some point a yr to creating certain your social media presence is powerful and your resume is up-to-date, you’ll be prepared to use for jobs which are of curiosity to you, and what’s extra, the roles may even come to you.”

Delusion 4: Your resume ought to solely be one web page lengthy. “The ‘one-page resume’ is the best way it’s completed in America, however in Australia and New Zealand, most hiring managers recognise you can’t successfully get throughout your abilities, achievements and who you might be in only a web page,” Hallam says.  

Ideally, if you happen to’ve been working for 10 years or extra, three to 4 pages is suitable. Most significantly, make certain your resume focuses in your current key obligations and achievements. “Highlighting the main points in roles you undertook greater than 20 years in the past is just not related, so be sure to omit any outdated and irrelevant info.”

Delusion 5: Your cowl letter is an important a part of your utility. “Cowl letters actually aren’t the be all and finish all – except they’re too lengthy or poorly written,” says Hallam. “My recommendation to candidates is to maintain your cowl letter brief and spend extra time getting your resume proper. Recruiters obtain tons of of resumes day-after-day, so they are going to be specializing in the obligations and achievements that relate to the place they’re making an attempt to fill.”

When writing your cowl letter Hallam suggests to:1.   Maintain it brief and punchy – one or two paragraphs is enough2.   Clarify in a sentence why you’re making use of for the job and why you’re a great match for the role3.   Spotlight key factors out of your resume that match the job on supply

Delusion 6: You may’t discuss wage in an interview. Hallam says your recruiter must be managing your wage for you however if you happen to’re interviewing immediately with an employer, wait till the second interview to speak about wage. Crucial factor is to be clear on what your wage is, together with base wage, tremendous, plus some other bonuses reminiscent of medical insurance, motorized vehicle allowance, and so forth. and what your expectations are.

“Additionally it is price letting them know if and when you’re anticipating a wage overview,” Hallam provides.   

Delusion 7: You might be required to reply each query in an interview. One of the vital frequent areas of confusion within the job searching course of is round what questions recruiters and potential employers can and might’t ask, so it’s essential for candidates to know what their rights and obligations are on the subject of answering interview questions.

Hallam says candidates ought to do not forget that in Australia there are legal guidelines to make sure that employers can’t ask discriminatory questions reminiscent of faith, marital standing, race, however there are additionally some much less apparent questions that candidates aren’t be obliged to reply, reminiscent of age (except it’s related to job efficiency) and whether or not you might be planning to have a child.

“All you ought to be sharing on the interview is info that’s related to the job you might be making use of for,” Hallam says.