If you’ve been job-hunting, then you’ve probably done your research on effective “job-searching strategies”. Many people might have advised you to polish your CV, establish connections, work on your skills, or even pray for a miracle. As a career website, we know how searching for a job can be quite demoralizing for job seekers. Therefore, we have decided to debunk the predominant myths related to job hunting:

MYTH: “A great CV will get you the job”

REALITY: The truth is, your CV will help you get the interview, not the job. Your CV will show the value that you can add to a company, and whether or not your qualifications are impressive enough to call you in for an interview. The real challenge is the way you market yourself and appear to the interviewer. Your appearance also plays a vibrant role during an interview.

Click here to read more on how your appearance can affect your chances in getting a job.

MYTH: “The majority of job openings are found in ads”

REALITY: It may shock you to know that not all job openings are publicly advertised. The majority of positions are actually done on an internal or informal basis, where candidates are internally referred. The fairness of this practice might be questionable, but it doesn’t change the fact that most job hunters aren’t even aware of the “hidden” job market.

MYTH: “The most qualified candidates always get the job”

REALITY: This misconception can discourage many job seekers from even applying for a position in the first place. Some employers actually steer away from hiring overqualified candidates. The reasons are quite simple: their high salary expectations and the fact that that they won’t settle for low positions. You don’t have to meet all the qualifications for a job to land an interview. Usually, the candidates with the best mix of qualifications, not necessarily the best, get the job. All you need to do is prove yourself at the interview.

MYTH: “I’m too old for the job position”

REALITY: If you believe that your age will impede your chances of getting a job, then you’re wrong. For some industries the skills, education, and experience of a candidate are far more important to them than their age. As much as employers enjoy having young employees who are full of energy, they also like having employees who are experienced and reliable.