How To Get A Job - Job Hunting Myths That Kill

If you're looking at how to get a job in today's lousy job market, you want to make sure you don't listen to the nay and doomsayers when they try to convince you that the job hunting myths are real.

The 7 Most Common Job Hunting Myths:
1. If you're unemployed, you're up a creek.
While this may actually have been true in some cases in the past, it's not today. Employers realize there are a whole lot of people - good people - currently unemployed, not because of their ability but because of the economy. Don't let this be an excuse you use to avoid working at getting a job.
2. When you're unemployed, you better take whatever job you can get.
Of course, if you're spouse is about to leave you and your kids are going hungry, and depending on how long you've been looking for work, this might be applicable in some situations. But even when things are bad, there might be other options, like temporary work, that allow you to keep looking for a job you would enjoy. When at all possible, still look for work you would like to do and don't just take anything you can.
3. Treat every job opportunity as if it is your last opportunity.
Job leads come in all shapes and colors. While quantity in job leads is usually a good thing, quality is more important. Quite simply, some job leads are better than others. If you only have a few leads, sure, give 'em your all. But if you have a lot, you need to sort them by priority. If you don't, you're likely to burn out pretty fast.
4. Finding a job is harder than having a job.
While find a job is no picnic, it's not rocket science either. There is a finite list of things you need to do like research, list building, letter writing, resume customization, calls, and so on, but it is actually somewhat easy, mundane tasks. Probably the hardest part is the emotional strain part of the process, especially the stress of not knowing what is to come. But, is it harder than a real job. Unlikely.
5. Without good contacts, you're toast.
Okay, I admit it ... contacts do help. There is a big difference between a cold call, a warm call, and a hot call. But, is it the end of the world. Of course not. Contacts you make during your job hunt can be equally helpful if you know how to effectively use the contacts you are making.
6. Your interview skills are the most important skills you need.
Hey, if you don't get any interviews how important are your interviewing skills? I think that's all that needs to be said to prove that other skills - research to generate job leads, killer cover letters and resumes, and effective ways to get the interview in the first place - rank right up there with interview skills.
7. You're too old to get a job. Or too young. Or ...
Mention this at a cocktail party, and you get a pretty animated conversation going really quickly. Older job hunters face different challenges than their younger counterpoints. Different, not insurmountable. Just as young job seekers have to overcome challenges of inexperience with energy and stamina, older seekers must offset their aging with wisdom and maturity.
Bottom line, don't be foolish and believe the job search myths out there. The good news about these crazy economic times is that there are no more job hunting "rules." It's a whole new ballgame. You can either choose to embrace this concept, and make your own rules and succeed. Or choose to follow the old rules, the job hunting myths, and fail. It's your choice.

by J. R. Sebastian