The job market is improving, it really is. A recent study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that employers plan to hire 13% more new college grads this year than last year -- with business, engineering and computer fields taking top priority.
That's good news if you or someone you know is preparing to make the move from library stacks to a corporate cubicle. But it doesn't mean the perfect job will just fall in your lap. And misconceptions about job hunting, the working world and the entry-level employee's role can easily bog down a young professional's progress.
Improve your chances of finding your dream job. Don't get sucked into these 9 common job-hunting myths:
1 | Finding a job after college will be quick and easy
Although the job market for this year's college grads looks rosier than last year, don't expect the job offers to come rolling in. Finding work may be a cinch for a select few, but for the vast majority, it will still take serious effort.
The length of your hunt will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The job market
- Your location
- Your qualifications
- The amount of time you dedicate to your search
- Your interviewing skills
- The types of resources you use to find job openings
If it takes a while, don't get discouraged. The average job search lasts four months, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas. To make ends meet in the meantime, you may have to take a less glamorous (and lower-paying) gig. A few of my friends have worked in call centers or flipped burgers for a couple months after graduation -- just until they landed a job where they could use their degree.
2 | I'll make at least x Amount at my first job out of college
As graduation nears, you're probably fantasizing about the wads of money you'll make as a member of the working world and how you'll spend your new-found cash. As such, you'll be happy to hear that according to the NACE, 2004/05 grads can expect higher starting salaries than last year's. There's nothing wrong with a little planning, but make sure your expectations are in line with reality.
3 | There's no room for negotiation with an entry-level salary
With some jobs, this may very well be true. But most employers leave some wiggle room in their offers to new employees, even those that are fresh out of school. The bottom line: You won't know unless you ask.
4 | The person who gets hired is the one who can do the job best
If you've got the skills, you're a shoo-in. Right?
Not so, says Hansen. More often than not, it comes down to interviewing skills and your rapport with your interviewers. Your qualifications, education and experience will usually get you an interview, but then "you need to prove why you are the best person to fill the job."
Make a good first impression by showing up on time and looking clean and professional. Act confident but not cocky. Use concrete examples to illustrate your qualifications. Maintain eye contact and relax.
5 | A well-designed resume will boost my chances of getting noticed
A snazzy resume may actually be a hindrance. Most employers accept resumes via email, but many won't open resume attachments either out of laziness or fear of contracting a computer virus. Your chance of getting noticed: zilch.
The solution: Create two copies of your résumé. The first one should be a simple version you can paste into the body of an e-mail -- sans formatting. That means no fancy fonts, bolds, italics, underlines or special characters. Keep each line under 65 characters and replace bullets with plain old asterisks, Resume Builder (see Sample) The second resume should be nicely formatted for you to carry in-hand to your interview.
6 | What I think of an employer doesn't matter as much as what s/he thinks of me
Of course you're eager to impress. But in your zeal to get hired, don't forget that the employer must pass your screening too. Many first-time job hunters overlook this key point until it's too late. Think about this: There are 168 hours in a week. If you spend 40 of those at work, that means you'll pass one-quarter of your week there. You better make sure you like the place
7 | If a company isn't currently hiring, I can't get an interview
One of the most powerful job-hunting tools is an informational interview. You can arrange an informal interview with people working in your field to learn more about working in the industry, get expert career advice and, most importantly, build a network of contacts in your field.
A friend of mine in college was interested in working in the insurance industry, and he'd heard good things about an employer in the area. It wasn't hiring at the moment, but he set up an interview with one of its executives to talk generally about a career in the industry. He took a copy of his resume with him, and the exec offered to keep it on file should an opening arise. Two weeks later, he was called in for an interview for an opening that the firm hadn't even advertised yet. And he got the job.
Not all informational interviews will result in a job offer, but they're time well spent. It may not pay off immediately, but later in your career, you may reap the benefits of the contacts you made and advice you received.
You can find more on Dubai Hiring trends by posting a Question to Anna - the career guidance expert @Jobs In Dubai
Happy Job hunting.. Post a comment if you need any further help.
Thanks
Santosh Koshy
