There's a LOT of advice out there for job seekers...not all of it is good and some of the bad advice might surprise you.

Here are the biggies many people get wrong about landing a job:

1. "It's a numbers game"

Sure....but what numbers are we talking about? 10 applications to roles where you match over 70% of the requirements and feel really excited about the role is way better than hundreds of applications to every job you see...but wouldn't actually want to do. 

2. "You've gotta network"

If cold outreach drains the heck out of you, don't do it. That's it. But even if you know a small handful of folks from previous jobs, school, or friend circles (even family members!), letting people know that you're looking and what you're looking for is clutch. What if they know someone who is looking to fill a role with exactly your skills but they don't know you're open to new jobs?

3. "You should use AI to get you through the ATS"

ATS isn't the all-knowing, all-powerful creature we often treat it as. If a hiring manager screens for candidates who have 10+ years of experience and your resume adds up to less than that, you'll get punted from the process. It's often that simple.

4. "You should write out and rehearse your answers to interview questions"

I don't know about you, but I find meeting humans a whole lot more interesting than meeting robots. Take the pressure off and be yourself. If it's helpful to note a couple of bullet points like "literacy program" to remind yourself of examples you can share, go for it, but this isn't a theatrical performance. 

My green flag has always been when an interview feels more like a conversation with a new friend. If your new potential colleagues make you feel like a tiny turd in the interview, you probably won't love working with them.

5. "You have to be organized, consistent, and tactical in your job search"

Or....you can find whatever approach works for you. I mean, yes, definitely save things like: the language from the job posting, your application materials including any salary expectations you've shared, and info about when you applied...but your spreadsheet might not look beautiful or be visited as often as you'd like. That's ok. 

Also, (and I'm ready to get pelted with rotten tomatoes here) there's only so far tactics get you.

Resume with metrics for every line - cool but sometimes bs. 

Setting daily targets of applications - feels productive, but you're probably beating yourself up daily for not doing enough anyway. 

What about the deep inner work that happens during a job search?

Or the moment 6 months or a year later when some random seed you planted (ie conversation you had with a stranger at a grocery store) turns into an opportunity you never would have expected?

6. "You can't get hired if you leave a job in less than 1 year"

This one sucks. There are a million reasons why you might leave in less time than that - a boss who is a bully, a wildly different role in reality than what was sold to you, a toxic culture that's destroying your mental health...

Yeah, might be a concern if it happens in several roles in a row, but layoffs happen. Learning happens. Take accountability for what you should have done differently and be honest about what was challenging for you or not aligned with your values in a role you left sooner than anticipated. 

7. "You're competing against every other job seeker in social impact"

Sure, it may seem that way sometimes, but this world feels a whole lot better when we look for ways to lift one another. 

Instead of looking over your shoulder at other job seekers as competitors, I recommend seeking out opportunities for others and sharing them regularly. Spend time with other job seekers, share your frustrations, swap resources, resume reviews, and mock interviews, and the journey will feel a whole lot less lonely.

8. "Your career has to follow a linear path that tells a clear story"

A friend who is an executive and total rock star in her field shared with me that she hates the word "career" because it carries with it an assumption of linearity. 

If you're a generalist, someone who is hungry for learning, or crave variety, you probably won't have a linear career path, and that's fine. 

What matters is the story you tell others...and yourself about your journey.

What other rules of job transitions are you ready to trash? 

FYI!