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Career Advice

Job hunting advice that doesn’t apply anymore

Some well-meaning job advice doesn't cut it today. Let's replace outdated advice with modern solutions.
7 minute read
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When you’re job hunting, there’s no shortage of people willing to offer advice. The thing is, unless those same people have looked for a job recently, a lot of their advice is outdated. They’re sharing what worked for them, but what worked 5 or 10 years ago doesn’t work anymore.

Following bad career advice is a waste of your time—and it can work against you.

Let’s look at some of those outdated nuggets and talk about what really works when you’re looking for a job.

Key takeaways

  • Job-hunting strategies change over time
  • Following outdated job search advice can hurt your chances of landing a job
  • Don’t chase down every opportunity. Chase the ones that are right for you.
  • Don’t show up at a place of business with your paper resume
  • Networking is still a great way to learn about job opportunities
  • Understand that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) change how employers fill positions

Outdated advice: Finding a job is a numbers game

This advice says the more jobs you apply to, the more likely you will get hired. People will say things like, “I sent out 100 resumes a week when I was looking for work.”

That approach generally doesn’t work anymore. Current job seekers who follow this advice are hearing crickets in response. The reason is that if you apply to every job you see, you’re applying to jobs that aren’t a great match for you. With most large companies using applicant tracking systems (ATS) to automate their hiring process, your resume can get lost in the shuffle.

Following outdated advice can work against you.

Updated advice: Be strategic about applying for work

In the current landscape, you need a much more targeted approach. Spend some time thinking about what you really want. If what you really want is to get into selling medical equipment and training end users, why would you be applying for telecommunication roles? Better to hone in on companies that are at least adjacent to your end goal.

When you target roles that are better suited to your skills, you’re more likely to be flagged as a possible match.

Also, be clear on your must-haves—the things that you absolutely need before you would accept a job. Don’t bother applying to ones that don’t match up. It will save time and energy that you can spend on better opportunities.

Outdated advice: Get out there, pound the pavement, bring your resume!

When people offer this advice, they’re envisioning you walking into an office and hand-delivering your paper resume. They say it shows initiative and, heck, you may even get a chance to meet the boss. No. Just no.

People will look at you like you have three heads if you try this approach. It’s so outside of the norm, you might actually make people uneasy. In our modern age of tightened security, this isn’t going to bring you the kind of attention you want.

Everything is done electronically these days. It’s a rare company that wants to see your paper resume. Most companies won’t even have any process for handling them, so you’re truly wasting your time here.

Updated advice: Use the company’s preferred application process

Instead of standing out in a way that discredits you, accept the application process employers state in their job postings. These days, employers accept digital resumes (and cover letters, if applicable) in a few different ways.

  • Directly on their website.
  • Through a job board like Indeed or ZipRecruiter.
  • Via a specific email address.

This information is included in the job posting itself. Trying to circumvent the employer’s process makes you look out of step and unable to follow directions. That’s not the impression you want to give.

There are better ways to make yourself stand out.

Outdated advice: Write one resume and use it for every application

We wish it were still true. It would certainly make life easier. Unfortunately, because most employers use Applicant Tracking Software for their initial screening, a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t going to get you where you want to go.

Updated advice: Tailor your resume to the application

We know. This sounds like a lot of work. It is, but once you do it a few times, it will get easier.

Why do you need to change your resume for each and every application? Because you need to work within the system that people use to get noticed. You have to make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

How do you do this? The good news is that you don’t have to rewrite your whole resume. You’re just trying to highlight the skills you have that match what’s posted in the job description.

  1. Read the job posting carefully.
  2. Highlight the key phrases. Look at the summary and the skills sections.
  3. See where your skills and experience overlap.
  4. Adapt the language on your resume to reflect the terms used in the posting.

You need to work within the system that people use to get noticed. Make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

Outdated advice: In an interview, don’t admit your shortcomings

A common interview question goes something like this: “Can you tell us about one of your weaknesses?”

It’s an awful question to have to answer in an interview. You’re there because you need a job, right? Who wants to lay out their shortcomings to a group of strangers who possibly hold the keys to your financial future? Nobody, that’s who!

That’s why at one point people were advised to flip the script and reframe their “weakness” in a positive light. The classic example is, “My biggest weakness is I work too hard.”

Updated advice: Be honest about where you need to improve

It didn’t take long for people to catch on to this trick. Now, an answer like that comes across as disingenuous, which doesn’t make it any easier to answer the question!

What would employers rather hear? Something that’s a little more authentic. Try this approach:

  • Give a real answer. “I lose focus sometimes,” or “I can get too caught up in the details and lose sight of the big picture.”
  • Then, give some examples of how you work to overcome those challenges. “I’ve learned that I focus better when….,” or “I post a list of my goals so I remember what I’m working towards.”

This approach lets interviewers see that you’re able to look at yourself honestly and that you’re proactive about improving.

Outdated advice: Getting a job comes down to who you know

Actually, this one isn’t so out of date. Historically, employment opportunities have landed squarely in certain demographic groups’ laps while being denied to others. Even today, nepotism isn’t technically illegal.

A lot has changed, and workplaces today are more diverse than in days past. Nevertheless, getting a job does often come down to who you know.

Updated advice: Grow your network to expand “who you know”

The good news on this front is that there are ever-expanding opportunities to increase “who you know.”

LinkedIn is tailor-made for people to network professionally (and if you’ve never used it before, we’ve got a great beginner’s guide). There are webinars and free trainings all over the internet where you can meet people in your field. Even Facebook has professional groups where you can hear first about employment opportunities.

So, yeah, the old adage still applies for this one. It’s who you know.

Final thoughts

Take heed when listening to outdated job-hunting advice.

You’re better off doing a little research on current hiring practices. When your job hunt is in sync with what employers expect, you’ll be more successful.

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