Common Misconceptions

1. A resume should always be one page.  Those fresh out of school or with only one or two previous positions should use a one page.  Past that, two pages is appropriate.  But never more. Your resume is your marketing material, not your brochure.  Focus on your relevant experience and forget the rest.  
2. Keep applying online - eventually you will find  job.  While the two best online job sites are Indeed and LinkedIn, the best place to find a job is through your network.  Spend a couple of hours a week at most online, then spend the rest of your time networking.  Not sure what that looks like?  We can help.
3. You should find out the dress code before the interview and dress to the level of the offices.  Always dress at least one step up.  While crazy exceptions will always exist, most hiring managers prefer to see you put the effort into dressing in a suit – or at least business attire – for the interview.  Stand out with your professionalism.
4. It is a recruiter’s job to find me a job.  It is the recruiters job to fill an open position.  Their loyalty lies with the company that hired them.  That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use recruiters, you just need to understand the dynamics.  It is perfectly acceptable to work with multiple recruiters.
5. I can't apply to a job unless I meet all the requirements posted.  Use the 80 / 20 rule.  If you have 80% of the skills listed go for it. It is rare that employers are able to find candidates with 100% of the qualities they are looking for, perhaps you meet the most important ones.  You will never know if you don't ask.
6. I should tell the interviewer what I think they want to hear to improve my chances of getting the position. Telling the interviewer what you think they want to hear might get you the job, but it won’t get you a job for which you are a good fit.  This leads to turnover and having to start the job hunting process over again.  Be truthful and you will have a better chance of landing a great match.
7. Asking questions during the interview is presumptuous and annoys most interviewers. Intelligent questions not only show your interest level, but give the interviewer an idea of what is important to you.
8. Negotiating makes me look pushy and means they might rescind the job offer.  It depends on the offer.  Know your worth, know the industry and region pay range for your job and decide based upon that.  But also remember that 76% of hiring managers expect to negotiate.  That means there is usually room in the budget.