8 Harsh Truths About The Job Search

Finding a job is hard work. It’s a time consuming process that can be incredibly frustrating. Typing up cover letters, tweaking resumes, finding appropriate job listings, sending off applications, attending interviews, and networking with other professionals is all par for the course. You better get ready for your big job search.

Unfortunately, finding a job isn’t always a cookie cutter process. If it was, the job hunt sure would be easy. As a job seeker, it’s important to brace yourself for some unfortunate and harsh truths about the job search:

1. Your name directly affects your success. – Your name has been your name since birth. It’s what everybody calls you and it’s full of important information. It can also be one of the major factors holding you back from getting called back or even getting hired. Find out how your name affects your life path.
2. Companies are hiring. – If you can’t find a job listing, you need to revamp your job search method. Why not check out the JobMonkey Job Board? There are thousands of cool job listings there just waiting for people like you to apply.
3. You might not be the best candidate. – According to the Experteer Blog there are an average of 250 CVs received for every job listing. While you may be the best candidate, the competition for jobs is fierce. Make yourself stand out.
4. Your web presence can cause you to NOT get hired. – Did you know that 1 in 3 employers rejected candidates based on what they found out online? Over 68% of employers will check out your Facebook page according to Experteer Blog. Don’t let your web presence hold you back. Google yourself to discover what employers might learn about you. Be prepared.
5. Recruiters may only spend a few seconds looking at your resume/cover letter. – According to Business Insider, recruiters spend about 6 seconds scanning your resume. They tracked this with eye tracking software. It’s amazing how fast a recruiter can make a decision about you.
6. One single typo can get your resume tossed in the trash. – You know you need to proofread. Read your resume and cover letter twice. Have a friend critique it. Over analyze it. The last thing you want is to lose out on your dream job because you wrote it’s instead of its.
7. Most jobs come from who you know, not what you’ve done. – Who you know is more important than what you’ve accomplished. Even if you have the world’s best resume, you still need a solid professional network, impressive references, and sometimes an insider’s referral.
8. You’re the only one who can get you a job. – We all wish that a magical job search genie could give us our dream job. It’s never going to happen. It’s up to you, and you alone, to complete the job search. Figure out what you need to do and get it done. Don’t procrastinate. Be determined. You can do it.

We know the job search is tough. We have some great advice on JobMonkey to help steer your job search in the right direction and set yourself up for success. You can and will find a job, but be aware of these harsh truths about the job search. It’s better to know them now that to be surprised later.