If your job search seems to be moving at a glacial pace, maybe you’re buying into common “wisdom” that’s actually not wisdom at all. Much of the job search advice available online — especially the stuff that makes for attention-grabbing headlines — has been oversimplified or exaggerated to the point that it can lead you deeper into job search quandaries.
Here are eight pieces of job search advice that can actually lengthen your search if you don’t view them with skepticism.
1. Cover letters — or even resumes — are obsolete
Online networking and job listings have forced application materials to evolve, but resumes and cover letters are far from extinct. A concise resume tailored to the specific job opening and employer remains one of your most critical tools. Standing out with your resume and cover letter doesn’t require a novel approach. It does require careful revision and targeting.
2. Everything important happens online (or offline)
A virtual handshake shouldn’t replace face-to-face networking. Focusing exclusively on either realm closes you off from a world of opportunities. Use online tools to identify people you can meet in person — or, better yet, to facilitate networking events and groups. Finding ways to serve others is one of the best ways to form lasting relationships. It can also help offset the feeling of isolation that can creep into any job search.