Almost every job seeker or career professional shares certain beliefs about work and job search in general. There seems to be this set of ideas that informs how they approach the job market or make career decisions. While we are not saying that these beliefs are 100% untrue (since they may hold some truth in some situations), it is important to call out some of them. Doing this will help you as a job seeker or career professional know what is obtainable in the job market today. In this piece, we look at 20 of these misconception.
It is of a truth that every job comes with specific requirements. Recruiters often add job requirements to let the job seeker know what is required of them before they apply. The idea of the job requirements is also to create criteria with which to screen and find the perfect applicant. Nevertheless, you do not need to meet every job requirement to apply for that job. According to Forbes, you only need to meet at least 40% of the job requirements to apply for that job.
Coding is a key part of tech. Of course, you need to know how to code. But not every tech job requires coding. There are numerous non-coding tech careers so do not let anyone discourage you from going into tech because you cannot code.
View 10 Best Careers In Tech Without Coding Skills
This is one common belief. It explains why many job seekers make the mistake of not writing cover letters when applying for a job. They assume that cover letters aren’t exactly necessary and recruiters do not take them seriously. For emphasis, recruiters read cover letters. In fact, a recruiter takes you more seriously when they see a cover letter in your application.
View 22+ Cover Letter Templates To Land Your Dream Job
It is also a common belief that if you do not have any experience, you cannot get a job. This is not entirely true. You can secure a job without experience. You can do this by aiming for entry-level positions, internships, or even freelancing. You can also work on mock projects to showcase what you could bring to the table.
You have probably been told to do your work and go home. The saying your colleagues are not your friends is a common advisory given to professionals in the workplace. Forbes cites an underlying sense of competition as one of the reasons for this belief. While this may seem true, especially in a workplace where office politics is intense, the notion that your colleagues are not your friends is not entirely true. In fact, many career professionals have met some of the best people in their lives at work. Others have even met their life partners at work. Aside from this, this belief kills the spirit of teamwork and cohesion, limiting organizational success.
It is good to aim for a flawless CV. That should be the goal. However, no CV is truly perfect. A lot of factors influence hiring decisions. While one employer might consider your CV perfect, another might not. The most important thing is to tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for. Include relevant keywords to help you beat Applicant Tracking System. Also, try to keep your CV error-free.
View How to Write A CV In 2025 (Free Sample CV Included)
You have probably heard or thought that applying for multiple jobs, especially at a go can make the difference in getting you a job. Regrettably, that is not the case. You lose your chance when you apply for multiple jobs. What you can do in this case is to apply for at least 3 jobs a day to help you tailor your applications accordingly. You can also make use of an Excel Sheet to track your applications.
According to Forbes, 70% of applicants lie on their CVs to get a job. Some will even encourage you to take the risk and learn on the job otherwise you won’t get ahead. While this may seem like a sensible thing to toy with, it is one mistake that can jeopardize your career. It not only affects your integrity, it also lends credence to why an applicant cannot keep a job. That is why you see the CV of an applicant who has worked in several places in a short time.
View 30 Apps and Websites Every Job Seeker Should Know
Technical know-how is paramount. Employees are expected to have the technical know-how to deliver results on their job. But beyond technical skills, more employers are now emphasizing soft skills because they determine how employees will thrive in a typical work environment. They make up a significant percentage of employability skills recruiters look out for. Job seekers are as such advised to develop soft, people skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability to stay ahead.
This is another hasty generalization that swirls around the workplace. It is important to bear in mind that one of the reasons why companies have a Human Resources Department is to cater to their employees. HRs are in charge of employee relations. They are tasked to support employees by offering a career path within the company. This also includes supporting employees’ health and wellness and offering continuing education opportunities. Although the HR department has an image problem, assuming that all HRs do not prioritize the interest of employees is mistaken.
Often you will hear people say you cannot get ahead financially working a 9-5. This perhaps explains why a lot of 9-5ers are quitting their jobs and hopping on the entrepreneurship train only to realize that it is not as easy as it appears. We are here to tell you that you can achieve financial freedom with a 9-5. One of the highest-paid employees in Nigeria reportedly earns N8.5 million naira per day. You don’t have to be the highest paid to achieve financial freedom. There are many savings and low-risk investments you can start with even if you are a low salary earner.
It may get to a point in your career where you may feel the need to switch career paths. This may either be motivated by value or goal changes. Irrespective, never be scared of pivoting to a new industry because you think you will be starting over again. Career transitioning is far from that. It is largely about transferring your skill set from your previous industry to the new one. Knowing how to do this requires expertise.
View How to Change Careers: 5 Tips from a Career Advisor
Have you heard of the hidden job market? If you haven’t, it will interest you to know that 80% of job openings are not advertised. Most of the jobs are either filled through internal referrals, professional networks, or other unpopular methods. Most of these jobs are usually for executive and senior-level roles. The hidden job market also exists because there are also specialized roles that are difficult to fill. Where can you find these hidden jobs? Alumni associations, professional community platforms, virtual job fairs, and conferences.
It is reassuring to know you are working for a big company. Many job seekers will even insist they cannot work for a company if it is not well established. They compare it to working for a one-man business, small-scale companies or startups where the risk of liquidation is higher. However, being an employee of a major company does not guarantee job security. The true job security lies in the value you are bringing to that company.
While qualifications are important determinants in securing jobs, not everyone gets hired solely based on qualifications. Some recruiters prioritize candidates who can communicate well or possess unique skills and values that align with the company’s culture. In addition, it is sheer ignorance to think that recruiters do not have biases or what is called “recruiter bias” in psychological parlance. For context, recruiters are guilty of this when they form opinions about a candidate based on first impressions. These biases may operate along the lines of ethnicity, race, or even personal experience.
The reception AI has received in recent years is incredible. AI is now being integrated into every facet of our lives. Of course, the idea is to make life much easier. But while some jobs will be eroded by AI, the place of humans at work cannot be substituted.
To answer the question: are internships only for students? It is important to note that the idea of internships was never earmarked for students only. Admittedly, the majority of internships are designed for students. However, professionals at various stages can leverage it. For career changers, they can leverage it to acquire experience in their new industry. Senior-level professionals may also leverage internships to reskill or upskill, especially in rapidly evolving fields like tech.
This is an interesting take on the discourse of negotiations on work and job search. It is believed that companies do not like to discuss higher pay. Some employees also complain about companies preferring to hire entrants with little or no experience rather than increase salary. The truth is even at job search level, most companies have a range in mind and are open to negotiations. If it’s benefits, salary or work conditions, do not be scared to ask for what you deserve. Regrettably, most professionals do not know the right way to negotiate a pay rise.
View 10 Questions to Ask When Negotiating A Salary
Most professionals fail to take advantage of networking opportunities under this pretext. For emphasis, you do not need to have connections to be able to network. You can start and build with platforms like LinkedIn. There are also industry events and conferences you can attend, the majority of which are free.
A resume is not all you need to get a job. Getting a job is a combination of many things. Your resume or CV is one of them. Your ability to ace interviews and communicate your value offering is important in your job search.
Not every generalization is valid. This is why it is important to separate what is true and what is not when it comes down to work and job search. Knowing this will help you make better career and work decisions.
Leave a Comment