Google is our friend when it comes to job hunting: it can supply an abundance of relevant vacancies, high quality job boards and top-notch career advice at the click of a button.
However, googling ‘GET ME A JOB’ and scrolling through 15 pages of search engine results can lead to graduates stumbling across some pretty questionable advice which could actually hinder rather than help the job-finding process.
Here is some of the worst career advice on the web (and what you should do instead):
Wait for the company to call you
They say patience is a virtue, and while this is generally fairly sound advice, this is not the case when it comes to job hunting. It sometimes pays to check in with the firm a few days after sending your CV rather than waiting on the other end of the phone. Remember that your application is sitting in a pile potentially with hundreds of others – so it doesn’t hurt to familiarise employers with your name.
Don’t postpone a phone interview
Many people are under the impression that they have to take a phone interview wherever they are and whatever they happen to be doing. However, you are likely to make a better impression if you arrange to talk at a time that is convenient for you, when you are stress-free and not tied up thinking about or doing other things.
Don’t bring up the subject of money
Salary negotiation is always a tough one to call. Some maintain that the person who brings up a figure first is most likely to lose out, while others insist that bringing up money by the second interview is essential – on the grounds that it is best to let employers know your salary requirements sooner rather than later. Read more about salary negotiation here.
Don’t send paper copies of your application
While this does show that you are computer-savvy, sending your application through the post could earn you brownie points. Everyone loves getting a letter that doesn’t result in them writing a cheque or paying off a bill – so you are more likely to get a friendly response (or selected from the graduate talent pool!) than you would if you took the easy online option. Emails are also at risk of being ignored or spam-filtered.