Welcome to the very first version of our new interview sequence Recruiter Reveals with Christy, our resident HR professional and former recruiter! 

This time, we’ll discuss job search myths. As a result of there are too lots of them floating round! As an example, do you have to actually reduce your resume to at least one web page? Or omit the quilt letter? Who is aware of?

I’ve compiled a listing of seven frequent job search myths and requested Christy to assist me debunk or affirm any of them. We’ll additionally talk about every subject extra in-depth.

Are you able to get to know the true fact behind fashionable job-searching recommendation?

On this interview, we’ll discuss these job search myths:

• Ought to your resume be one web page lengthy?;
• Do recruiters scan resumes in 6 seconds?;
• Do certified job candidates get previous ATS?;
• Are cowl letters actually lifeless?;
• Do most jobs by no means get posted?;
• Can your Instagram value you a job?;
• Is a thank-you observe after an interview a should?

Many sources, resume builders included, suggest having a single web page resume. After all, apart from managers. Are longer resumes routinely dismissed?

This one’s a fantasy. A one web page resume is completely acceptable in case you’re a scholar or contemporary graduate. Additionally, in Silicon Valley, there’s this development in direction of one web page resumes as a result of they are saying you need to have the ability to challenge your expertise on one web page. However I’d say that having a two web page resume is customary. After all, it additionally depends upon the business and the extent of expertise. As an example, in academia, two pages could be most likely too quick as a result of they often embody issues like publications or tasks.

What number of pages is simply too many then?

Basically, greater than two pages is an excessive amount of. However once more, this depends upon the business, stage of expertise and typically on the nation too. However let’s say that with two pages, you’ll be able to by no means go unsuitable.

The longest resume I’ve seen was 16 pages lengthy — from a trainer who stuffed his resume with all his shows and publications. Isn’t it higher to make use of a portfolio in such circumstances?

Sure, it might be nice to make use of a portfolio or to easily put a title and a hyperlink to the publication in your resume and neglect about prolonged descriptions. The rule of thumb is to maintain it as quick as doable. Simply because it’s there within the doc doesn’t essentially imply that the recruiter’s going to learn it. If you happen to make it simpler for hiring managers to search out the knowledge they need, the extra doubtless they’re to learn it.

Talking of resume studying, is the 6 seconds resume rule true? Do recruiters actually spend solely 6 seconds taking a look at every resume?

This one’s somewhat little bit of a fantasy. It takes about six seconds to display the resume for the important thing data that I’m in search of, akin to location, abstract, key phrases, or if there’s a expertise part. Inside this timeframe, I ought to have the ability to get a really feel for who you’re and what you’re in search of. Nevertheless it’s primarily about six seconds for me to select the essential data I would like. It doesn’t imply that I’m going to spend simply six seconds on it or that I gained’t proceed studying after.

Doesn’t it additionally rely upon resume design? As an example, when you’ve got two candidates and one resume was made in a phrase processor whereas the opposite has a horny design, do you routinely favor the prettier?

As a human being, I believe that in case you see one thing good, it’s going to be extra engaging to you. Nevertheless it doesn’t imply that the content material is definitely appropriate. Somebody might have a Phrase doc which is completely high quality so long as it’s clear and straightforward to observe. Nevertheless, if the resume design seems to be nice and the content material matches what I’m in search of, then sure, it’s most likely going to provide an additional edge to them. Particularly if somebody’s making use of for a job in a inventive subject, then a pleasant design is unquestionably a bonus.

Let’s now speak a bit about making use of for a job. Is it true that the majority jobs by no means get posted? 

It’s considerably true and it may be for a lot of causes. Possibly an organization has a task that’s accessible and so they have already got somebody internally who may very well be a superb match. Maybe they know somebody by way of networking who could be appropriate. Or perhaps they’ve discovered an acceptable candidate of their ATS database. They could go to a recruitment consultancy, which could have candidates already. Or they could have a head hunter who will discover the very particular kind of particular person they’re in search of. It’s simply that for some corporations there’s no want for them to promote. 

Did one thing like that additionally occur to you whenever you have been working at Hudson as an operations supervisor, as an example? 

Sure, it might occur infrequently. Promoting may be an extra value. And for this reason ATS systems are nice as a result of recruiters can retailer all resumes there. So, if there’s a brand new place opened, we are able to first test candidates in our database and if we discover somebody appropriate, we are able to contact them instantly and don’t essentially must promote.

What’s one of the simplest ways to use for a job then? Firm’s profession web page, LinkedIn, or?

It depends upon the business, what kind of corporations you need to work for, what job you’re in search of. Even the nation you’re in (for instance, LinkedIn is fashionable in lots of international locations, however not in others). If somebody needs a really particular job at a selected firm, in that case I’d strategy the corporate instantly or the supervisor on LinkedIn. Or see if anyone in my community is linked to them and check out that route. However in case you don’t know what you’re in search of, then you’ll be able to strive completely different job boards.

Is it a bonus to seek for a hiring supervisor on-line and speak to them instantly, as an example, by way of LinkedIn? 

It depends upon the dimensions of the corporate and whether or not you recognize any individual there. If you recognize any individual within the firm or somebody can join you, then sure, it may assist.  Additionally, if it’s a smaller firm or a startup, they’re much less prone to be utilizing an ATS, so direct is an effective way to go. But when it’s an even bigger firm, they nearly definitely use an ATS (with a number of exceptions) and they should ahead your resume to their ATS anyway. So, you continue to might get rejected by the ATS, plus you could annoy the hiring supervisor as a result of it’s one other little bit of  admin for them to take care of.

Oh, the dreaded ATS! 😀 What do you concentrate on the parable that you simply’ll get by the ATS in case you’re certified for the job? 

These are literally two job search myths. Firstly, each resume makes it by the ATS. It’s a fantasy that ATSs filter out resumes. What they do is filter all incoming functions in opposition to the job description vs. the particular person’s related work experience, hard skills, education, and so forth. At that stage, your utility will likely be rejected or given additional consideration. In the long run, it’s about whether or not it’s ranked properly and seen by the recruiter. 

And secondly, you’ll be able to have a job seeker who is an ideal match for the place however maybe gained’t rank excessive sufficient within the ATS as a result of they fail to make use of key phrases successfully on their resume. So, you need to at all times tailor your resume to the particular job opening, even in case you take into account your self certified for the job.

However on account of this, corporations might also miss good candidates. Are ATS methods dependable then?

That’s a superb query. And it’s additionally barely sophisticated. In concept, they’re fairly dependable, nevertheless, you’ve all completely different practices of how recruiters use them, how custom-made they’re, how exactly the filters are set, or how conscious job seekers are of tailoring their resume to ATS-friendly practices. So, whereas the expertise itself is comparatively dependable, it’s the human facet that’s not essentially dependable.

Do cowl letters go by way of ATS too? And is it true that cowl letters are lifeless and so they by no means get learn?

They’re not lifeless, as such, and it’s nonetheless thought of a courtesy to ship one. Conversely, it’s fairly true that they don’t at all times get that a lot consideration. They undergo the ATS too, however they’re not as closely weighted as a resume. As a result of that truth, the quilt letter might not get seen anyway. Additionally, folks typically repeat the identical content material they’ve on their resume, slightly than telling the reader why they’re an incredible match for that particular firm and job. I do know it takes time to tailor a cover letter, and it’s irritating as a result of it will not be learn. Nevertheless it’s higher to err on the facet of warning, particularly if it is a job you actually need.

So, they’re not lifeless and so they’re checked out typically, however you need to write them properly and want to incorporate related key phrases with out repeating your resume. Simply get to the purpose and spotlight what’s related for the place. 

What if an organization doesn’t ask particularly for a canopy letter within the job description? Is it nonetheless a plus to ship one?

I’d most likely ship one anyway if the job utility permits me to ship an extra file. Nevertheless, we’d like to keep in mind that larger corporations have large HR groups, ATS methods, so they won’t learn it anyway. But when it’s a smaller firm, it may make you stand out and it’s extra private. 

Let’s now change the subject to social media. Is it true that your social media exercise can value you a job? Did you ever reject somebody due to what you noticed on his/her social media?

It for certain does occur that somebody will get rejected due to their social media. I wouldn’t say that I’ve rejected any individual myself for that particular cause, however I’ve form of felt that perhaps somebody wasn’t one of the best match. However I slightly interview them first as a result of some folks simply do silly stuff on-line. But when it was one thing actually unhealthy, as an example racist, then sure, I’d most likely reject them. 

The reality is that your social media activity can cost you a job even when you have already got one. I  keep in mind after I was working in Germany, I personally knew of an organization which employed any individual and solely later checked the particular person’s Fb profile and located racist feedback. That particular person was working with foreigners. For sure, they misplaced the job in a short time. 

Ouch! However I’d have an interest to see what a daily job candidate’s on-line test seems to be like. I think about that many job seekers wish to know extra about it, too.

Just about each recruiter will take a look at your LinkedIn as a result of that’s a enterprise networking web site. It is best to undoubtedly have a profile there and it can provide you extra credibility when you’ve got a robust profile or related connections. Then again, for recruiters it’s additionally a great way to fact-check. Generally folks write some issues on their resume and on their LinkedIn, it’s a totally completely different story.

With regards to issues like Fb or Instagram, some corporations will test you out. Nevertheless, it’s a private factor and I really feel like no firm has the appropriate to ask you to see it (regardless that some ask anyway). So, be very cautious about your different social media profiles, ideally make it non-public. In case you make it public, then it’s essential bear in mind {that a} recruiter might test it out.

What in case you seek for a candidate on LinkedIn and discover out he/she doesn’t have a LinkedIn in any respect? Is it a pink flag?

I’d most likely be a bit suspicious why they’re not there at the present time. Nevertheless it’s not a cause to not interview any individual or reject them. It’s simply one thing that may go away a query mark.

When a job seeker already makes it to the job interview, is it actually anticipated from him/her to ship a thank-you observe after it? Does it take them a step nearer to getting employed?

It’s not anticipated, however it’s at all times a courtesy. Some recruiters might say “Oh, he didn’t thank me” and a few don’t care. It actually depends upon the recruiter. So, I believe it’s a courtesy and when you’ve got time to do it, do it. As a result of not everyone will and it may make you stand out. However on the similar time, corporations are additionally not essentially thanking job seekers for coming to a job interview. I believe it’s a two-way avenue. I at all times say to my shoppers that the way you get handled at an interview is how you’ll most likely get handled on the firm. 

Key takeaways — what job search myths are true?

Did any of that shock you? Right here’s a rundown of what job search myths are true and which ones are false:

• Your resume must be one web page lengthy. — false. A two web page resume is a regular, however it additionally varies based mostly on business, profession stage, or nation. Longer resumes aren’t routinely dismissed.
• You solely have six seconds to impress the hiring supervisor together with your resume. — false. It takes six seconds for them to scan your resume for fundamental data. Nevertheless it doesn’t imply they gained’t proceed studying after.
• Most jobs by no means get posted. — partly true. Firms might discover a appropriate candidate of their database, by networking, or internally. There’s not at all times a necessity for them to promote. Every time you’ve an opportunity, strategy your dream firm instantly.
• You’ll get previous ATS in case you’re a superb candidate. — false. Even in case you’re an incredible candidate however fail to make use of related key phrases in your resume, it might be ranked low by the ATS.
• Cowl letters are lifeless, so don’t hassle writing one. — false. They don’t get as a lot consideration as resumes and typically they might get neglected, however it’s at all times a courtesy to ship one. Particularly if it’s a smaller firm, it may make you stand out.
• Your social media exercise can value you a job. — true. You have to be solely seen on LinkedIn and make different social media profiles non-public, at the very least throughout your job search.
• You’re anticipated to ship a thank-you observe after the interview. — partly true. Some hiring managers count on it, some don’t. However you’ll be able to by no means go unsuitable with doing so.

About Christy Morgan

Christy Morgan has over 20 years of expertise working inside worldwide recruitment, HR, and candidate assist. She started her profession at Hudson, becoming a member of as a Staff Coordinator in Australia earlier than working her method as much as senior administration in Eire and Ukraine as Operations Supervisor. She additionally spent 7 years in Canada, the place she labored as a Candidate Assist Marketing consultant and Exterior HR Advisor. Now based mostly in Slovakia, Christy assists shoppers everywhere in the world with resumes, CVs, cowl letters, company bios, LinkedIn, and interview teaching. She can be Kickresume’s Resident HR Knowledgeable.

Do you’ve any job search questions? Or would you prefer to see a selected subject mentioned in Recruiter Reveals?  Be happy to drop me an electronic mail on nika@kickresume.com 🙂