The 4 Deadliest Job Search Myths

By Rita Fisher, Certified Professional Resume and CEO of the Fisher Career Group

Myth #1: Using the Internet is the #1 way to find a job.
Not so. The Internet is great. For research. Not for posting on job boards and expect to be contacted tomorrow. Those days are over.

Myth #2: The Internet is useless in the job search game.
Just like some people believe that the Internet is "God" when it comes to job search, others believe that the Internet is totally useless. No, it isn't. As mentioned before, you can use the Internet for doing research on companies, job opening, salary data, relocation information, and a host of other useful tidbits to assist in your job search. What other uses does the Internet have in the job search game? Consider these:

• Social networking sites, like LinkedIn, MySpace, Friendster, Care2, Zaadz, others are great to network with likeminded (and not likeminded) professionals. Be active in these!
• Your blog is an awesome way to get the word out about your "job availability". It is also great for showcasing your writing (and marketing) abilities.
• Job boards are a great way to find out who is hiring and then you can go to the company's website for a (hopefully) much better job description and further job opening listings. Plus, the company's website will have great information as far as who to contact, etc.

Myth #3: Slap a resume together in an hour
Not so fast! It's amazing how many bad, bad resumes I see on a weekly basis! Most of them our chronological data dumps, riddled with grammatical errors and are nothing more than bare-bone listing of job duties. They don't contain any information that answers the potential employer's question: "why should we hire YOU?" Resumes - well-written resumes - take time and expertise. That is why people hire professionals like me. It's just like hiring any other professional, like an accountant, etc. We know our craft and we are good at it!

Myth #4: Throw the resume at HR and you are good to go.
Wrong. You NEVER want to send your resume to the HR director (unless you are applying for a job in the HR department.) You want to send your resume to the hiring authority. For example, if you want a job in sales, send it to the VP of Sales, etc. Good research skills come into play here. Go to the company's website to find out the hiring authority's name. If the officers are not posted there, you can still do a search on a couple of various sites or you can call the company and politely ask the receptionist this question: "May I have the name of the VP of Sales, please? I would like to mail some correspondence to that person.”