Eight Job Search Myths: Debunked

MYTH #8: I MUST LIMIT MY RESUME TO ONE PAGE. 

Fact: It is perfectly acceptable to have a two-page resume. Just avoid letting it go any longer. 

Many tout this myth, but the fact is: It’s preferable to have a slightly longer, easy-to-read resume rather than a cramped one-pager where you use extended margins and a small font.  

You can strategically trim your resume by cutting down on school activities and details of what you did during long-ago jobs. Focus on your recent relevant credentials to show what value you offer to potential employers.  

For more, read: Is a Two-Page Resume Ever OK? by Yolanda Owens (The Muse)  

MYTH #7: I NEED TO TALK TO EVERY HEADHUNTER WHO CONTACTS ME. 

Fact: Not every headhunter is worth your time.  

Be especially cautious when dealing with cold calls by headhunters. Often, searches they’re calling about are posted on the firm’s website or on a jobs board in which case you don’t need them. And while some search firms will tell you that they have an exclusive with the hiring firm, this is unusual so ensure that you work only with a vetted recruiter.  

If you want to consider working with a headhunter… 

Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations so as not to become entangled with an unscrupulous recruiter. Work only with someone who observes the NALSC (National Association of Legal Search Consultants) Code of Ethics and confirm by email that they will only submit your details or resume with your express written consent.   

For more, read: When the Headhunter Calls, Here’s What to Say by Liz Ryan (Forbes) 

MYTH #6: I SHOULD EXPECT A RESPONSE TO EVERY APPLICATION I SUBMIT (AND IF I DON’T, I NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON MY APPLICATION). 

Fact: Unfortunately, only a minority of employers nowadays will reply to every applicant. Following up with an internal recruiter or HR professional is generally not a good use of your time. 

This is especially true for online applications submitted through jobs boards and hiring portals. Being ghosted by organizations, even after you’ve interviewed, can be frustrating but is unfortunately commonplace. While it would be polite and likely not very time-consuming to acknowledge receipt and update the status of each application, it is not likely to happen. Rather, spend your time finding a contact in the relevant practice or legal department or someone who might be able to get your resume out of the applicant portal and into the hands of a decision-maker.  

For more, read: Top 5 Reasons You Never Hear Back After Applying For A Job by Meghan Biro (Glassdoor) 

MYTH #5:  I DON’T WANT TO BOTHER PEOPLE IN MY NETWORK. 

Fact: People want to connect, and they want to help! 

Do not hesitate to reach out to your network and schedule a call, an in-person or a virtual coffee, lunch or happy hour. Tell them you are beginning a job search, ask their advice, ask them what they are seeing in the market, ask them to keep their eyes open, and at the end of your conversation, ask if they can think of someone else you should contact.  

For more, read: 11 Tips to Help Reluctant Networkers Make Connections by Alaina G. Levine (Peoria Magazine) 

MYTH #4: JOB SEARCHING IS A FULL-TIME JOB.  

Fact: Spending all day, every day job searching is unsustainable.  

There is a lot of momentum at the beginning of a job search -- getting your resume ready to go, editing your LinkedIn profile, drafting a list of contacts and looking for relevant job postings. But as your search continues, there will be days when you get into the flow, time flies and you’ve been at it for 8 hours. But more often, you will apply for several jobs, do some online searching, have a virtual coffee, send some emails and then have time left over.  

My advice? Set a schedule and cut yourself some slack! 

A job search is more likely to be a marathon, not a sprint. Be sure to look after your physical and mental health throughout the process.  

For more, read: Why You Should Not Treat ‘Looking for a Job’ as a Full-Time Job by Priscilla Christopher (Huffpost) 

MYTH #3: A GAP ON MY RESUME WILL KILL MY CAREER. 

Fact: A gap on your resume is NOT a career killer—although you will need to be prepared to explain what you did with your time during the gap.  

To get ahead of a resume gap, figure out what you will say to explain what you did during the gap (other than saying you were job searching). It can be as simple as “I took time off to spend with my family.” You can also plan to use the time to volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you, even if it is just 10 hours/week. And, it doesn’t have to be related to the law.  

Right now, I know of several attorneys who took the summer off. I’ve also known people to use a break to train for a marathon or to ride with the Tour ‘de France, attend the Olympics, take an extended trip. 

My advice? Keep the explanation short. Or simply say, “I took a sabbatical.” 

During an interview, explain the gap in a straightforward manner, don’t over explain, don’t apologize, just state how you spent the time. 

For more, read: Ten Questions Employers Have About Your Employment Gap by Caroline Ceniza-Levine (Forbes) 

MYTH #2: I CAN’T TAKE A BREAK FROM JOB SEARCHING. 

Fact: It is crucial that you schedule time to take care of yourself. 

What you want to avoid is spending all day binging on Netflix or playing video games. But from the start, it is worth remembering that there are going to be up days and down days. If it’s a down day, don’t beat yourself up. When you begin to feel stressed, take a walk, meditate, take a yoga class, watch a little Netflix. Don’t force yourself to sit at your computer all day long. If the stress continues or begins to turn into depression, then please consider consulting your firm’s EAP or a private therapist. There are multiple support services available. You do not need to manage depression alone.  

For more, read: How to Look for a Job When Everything Feels Hopeless by Julia Pugachevsky (Vice) 

MYTH #1: WHY BOTHER, THERE ARE NO JOBS. 

Fact: Jobs exist, even in challenging markets. You just need to find them. 

So, where do you find these jobs? Look to your network. In any job market, my colleagues and I have found one thing to be clear: Reaching out to and expanding your network of contacts is the key to getting your resumes to the top of the pile. You need to access the hidden job market. 

My advice? Stretch the margins. 

We always coach attorneys to go to the margins of their networks – but where are the margins? The margins consist of your second- and third-degree contacts (a.k.a. people you don’t know personally). The margins are contacting people who are adjacent to your desired ideal job. The margins are expanding your search geographically. The margins are incorporating your personal network. And the margins are pushing forward when you feel like you are hitting a wall. 

For more, read: 3 Ways To Find Your Next Job In The ‘Hidden Job Market’ by Caroline Ceniza-Levine (Forbes)