Our job search and recruitment strategies are often based on the words of our peers. Unfortunately, many of these suggestions are baseless and irrelevant; in fact, they are often easy to believe because they are based on some widely held notions of job search and recruitment processes that in effect end up damaging the job seekers. One of the major weaknesses with this advice is me-centeredness which means that most of it is subjective and not objective.
In addition, such advices may no longer be relevant in today’s upgraded job market. In these cases, it is vital to dispel myths about job search and recruitment process that maybe limiting your chances of success. For example, there is a common bad advice to hide keywords in headers and footers of your resume to manipulate search results. This is not only a futile effort as the Application Tracking Systems (ATS) exclude headers and footers to prevent such manipulation, but it would also be viewed as unethical, resulting in your resume being flagged with ‘Do Not Contact’.
Thus, in today’s advanced and complex system of recruitment, it is essential for job applicants to clear myths about job search and recruitment process, and curate resumes accordingly. This blog aims to address all those myths and misunderstandings related to job search, which would ultimately increase your chances of getting hired top industries globally.
11 Common Myths about Job Search and Recruitment
Following are 11 common myths and misconceptions about job search and recruitment
1. Job hopping is not liked by employers/you should not change your job frequently in a year
In the past, switching jobs frequently was perceived as an unfavorable characteristic in workers since it demonstrated an unwillingness to stay committed to a position. Contrarily, in today’s fast changing and temporary employment trends, the conception of job-hopping as a problem is almost a thing of the past.
Moreover, often it happens that after joining a company you feel like that you have made mistake, and want to change your company. But due to conventional wisdom, you continue to stick to your job. But in reality it is fine to change your jobs frequently when they no longer meets financial needs and offer any growth.
Additionally, as freelancing and remote opportunities have expanded career choices, job hopping has become more frequent and common. Many professionals address their short-term employment contracts with remote jobs and focus on their transferable skills.
2. Applying to many jobs increases your chances of landing your dream job
This is another prevalent myth regarding job search and recruitment that applying to many jobs would land you to your dream role. Unfortunately, that is not true. Instead, your time and energy must be invested in searching for roles that attract you, and better fir your qualifications and skills.
Another important aspect of job search and recruitment is learning about the company you are applying for. You should then tailor your resume accordingly to best fir the role. By submitting fewer job application that are tailored better to match the job role, you can enhance your chances of getting hired.
3. You must meet all the job requirements
During job search and recruitment process job applicants avoid applying to jobs unless they meet all the job requirements. But this is a wrong decision. Job descriptions include all the ideal requirements required for a role, and the company is aware that they may not find the ideal candidate. Therefore, if a job role interests you, and you have the relevant skills and experience you should apply for the role and try your luck.
4. Only Big Companies hire in Dubai
Mostly, during job search and recruitment process job candidates emphasize on applying to large firms or organizations especially in the oil and gas sector. What most do not know, however, is that Dubai accommodates small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs). These SMEs offer many excellent job opportunities, providing faster career growth and diverse responsibilities. Thus, as a job seeker you must not miss out SMEs hiring in UAE.
5. Career change is impossible as you age
Career change is impossible as you age. This is one of the greatest myths about job search and recruitment. Many people think that career change is impossible especially if you have crossed your thirties. However, in today’s dynamic world this is not true. You can change your career at any age. In fact, many people change their career in fifties and begin a new job search and recruitment journey . To transition your career, you must focus on learning the right skills, making the right use of your previous experience.
For instance, Julia Child was a bureaucrat when she published her first cook book at the age of 50. Novelist John Grisham wrote his first novel at age of 34 after being in law for over ten years. Martha Stewart is another prominent example in this regard. She initially began working as a stock broker at Wall Street. However, she changed her career to catering business and became a famous lifestyle guru. Martha Stewart founded a company called Martha Stewart Living which became worth many millions.
You will also have to develop new abilities and keep an eye on the current trends within your area of interest. Recruitment agencies, such as RFS HR Consultancy, provide specialized guidance that help you scale in your career.
6. Updating LinkedIn is not important
Updating your LinkedIn account is a primary step towards your job search and recruitment process. If someone is telling you that updating LinkedIn is not important, or you cannot get recruited through LinkedIn, that person is giving you a bad advice. About 93% of recruiters begin their search for recruitment using LinkedIn Recruiter. And in order to be found by recruiters your profile must satisfy two conditions: be ranked as “All Star” and seen as “Active”. This means you must be doing something on the on your profile every day or two. It can be as small as reacting to a post or as big as writing a post.
Moreover, LinkedIn offers tools that help you in your job search and recruitment process by finding jobs relevant to your skills and experience. Additionally, many recruiters visit your LinkedIn profile after shortlisting your resume to gain more information about your work history and details of your previous roles. Therefore, recruiters always advice that your resume and LinkedIn profile must be aligned and consistent.
7. Applying online is enough, Skills and Experience would get you hired
This is hardly true that skills and experience are enough for job searching candidates to get hired. According to studies less 5% of jobs not requiring any certifications or licenses are filled by candidates who had applied online. This is because of the Application Tracking System (ATS) that process applications of thousands of candidates. Most of the times, ATS is unable to identify your resume due to incorrect phrasing even if you are well-qualified for the job role. Thus, before embarking on job search and recruitment journey, you must make an ATS friendly resume.
Furthermore, another problem with online applications is that you could be applying for a job role that an employer could not other fill. Thus, you should diversify your network pool, and target employers so that you enter the hiring process before they post about the vacancy. An easy way to diversify network pool with employers is to connect with recruitment agencies.
8. Company is not hiring so there is no point in applying
According to a research, every company expects at least a 6% turnover per year. This means that they would be needing a replacement for these vacant positions even during a hiring freeze. The company just won’t advertise those positions as new hiring requests have to be approved by higher ups like Vice President. So instead of going through all the paper work hassle, companies tend to be hiring silently. This is also true when companies are having layoffs. Therefore, as a candidate in a job search and recruitment phase, you should be sending your resume to companies and recruiters.
9. Job listings are only way to find a job
Job portals are a great source to embark on a job search and recruitment journey. However, they are not the only way to secure a job. A crucial aspect of job search and recruitment process is networking. Networking is equally important and effective in competitive job markets such Dubai’s job market. Many companies and organizations rely on internal referrals for hiring. Thus, expanding your professional network is crucial to securing opportunities that never make it to public listings.
In order to increase your professional opportunities, it is important to participate in industry events, meet professionals and recruiters in your industry via LinkedIn and others. Also, you may consider contacting a number of recruiting firms in Dubai, for there are always some jobs in the UAE that are not overtly advertised but only filled through such agencies.
10. Lower salary expectations to land the job.
When looking for a job, the employer’s decision in respect of your being hired will be largely influenced by your capabilities, prior experience, and qualifications. In case you think that your chances of getting recruited will be higher if you downsize your pay expectations, there is no guarantee that this will hold.
Contrarily, it may affect your salary if do get hired. In addition, lowering salary expectations would make you a desperate candidate. Therefore, it is best your do the market research during the job search and recruitment phase to get an idea about the salary range for the positions you’re applying for and stick to that range.
11. Recruitment agencies only work for employer
One of the frequent fallacies is that employers’ recruitment agencies do not pay much attention to job seekers since they seem to be concerned only with the employer. But that is not true all the time. For instance, RFS HR Consultancy and other reputable recruiting firms also help job seekers in their recruitment and job search activities.
Besides, the recruitment firms also have knowledge of job vacancies in some specialized areas, for instance the oil and gas industry. Therefore, to smoothen your job search journey you must connect with recruitment agencies specializing in your industry, like oil and gas job search firms.
12. Accept the first job offer as you might not receive another
One of the most prevalent myths about jobs search and requirement is that you should accept the first job offer. Getting a first job offer does not mean that you will not receive more offers and you’re stuck with this offer. This is not true. If you have the relevant skills and qualifications to get the first offer, you could fit other job roles too. They key is to keep applying and do not accept job role that do not meet your financial needs nor satisfy your professional growth. That is, do not accept offer letters just for the sake of having a job.
How do I approach recruitment agencies in the city of Dubai?
Approaching recruitment agencies based in Dubai is very simple and easy. You should often check their sites, and look for the opportunities that catch your interest. Also, you may reach out to the recruiters by way of LinkedIn and the agency can be connected.
There are a number of Recruitment agencies in Dubai having diverse pool of candidates all across the world. This means that they also have rich job opportunities, many of which do not even make it to public listings. Therefore, it is always advised to connect with recruiters and recruitment agencies in Dubai.
Connect with RFS HR Consultancy
RFS HR Consultancy is a reputable recruitment agency based in Dubai, having clients in various different industries across Middle East. RFS HR Consultancy places equal value in job applicant and provides specialized services to help you gain your dream role in your desired industry in Dubai or elsewhere in the region. In our years of service, we have helped hundreds of applicants in getting hired in reputable organizations and companies. If you are job applicant looking for job opportunities in UAE or any specialized sector such as oil and gas job, you should reach out to us. Contact us and elevate your career growth opportunities in UAE.
