5 JOB SEARCH MYTHS THAT ARE QUIETLY COSTING YOU OFFERS

Let’s talk about some tough truths. Most people still think job search = update your resume → apply online → wait for interviews → get hired. 

If only.

That’s not how it works anymore and these five myths are likely slowing you down (or stopping you completely). Let’s bust them, one by one 

1. “I’m job searching, so I should get a job.”

Nope. The market doesn’t reward effort; it rewards strategy. Your competition isn’t just other job seekers, it’s also the ones already working, being headhunted, or staying visible. Entitlement leads to disappointment. Ownership creates results.

2. “Online applications are the way to go.” 

The easiest route is also the least effective. Less than 1% of online applications lead to interviews. The real magic happens in conversations, informational meetings, coffee chats, strategic outreach. My client built a podcast, networked for 10 months, and landed a triple pivot across function, industry, and geography. That’s how real strategy looks.

3. “I need a fancy Canva résumé to stand out.” 

You’ll stand out, just not in a good way. Recruiters want clarity, not colors. Focus on content, not templates. Quantify your impact. Use simple formatting that shows results, not fonts.

4. “My closest friends will refer me.” 

Probably not. They love you, but their networks overlap too much with yours. The best referrals come from your weak ties — acquaintances, ex-colleagues, vendors, clients, even friends-of-friends. These people open new doors, not the ones you’ve already walked through.

5. “Retrenchment means I have failed.”

Absolutely not. In today’s world, retrenchment says more about market cycles than your performance. You own the narrative. Stay factual, stay confident. The power is in how you tell your story, not in what happened to you.

The truth? Job search isn’t hard because you are not good enough. It’s hard because no one ever taught you how to do it strategically.

With purpose,

Shub (Your Career Growth Partner)