10 Myths about Job Descriptions Explained

When you read a job description, it’s important to understand the biases of the person who wrote it. Each person has their own perspective on what they look for in a job, and this is reflected in the way they write a job description. It’s also important to consider your own personal meaning in work, not just what other people see in it.

The extent to which a job is considered meaningful depends on the individual. Sometimes people use different words to describe the same jobs, indicating that there may not be an agreement on what makes a job “meaningful.” It’s important to remember that meaning is constructed in any endeavor, regardless of what the job title says.

10 Myths about Job Descriptions Explained

1. Your CV and Cover Letter MUST Be Creative.

In some cases, it is not necessary to submit a CV in order to apply for a position. Some employers are impressed by well-written skill breakdowns and creative outside projects.

Employers want candidates who are creative and can think outside the box, but there is a limit to how much creativity they are looking for. Some employers may be turned off by candidates who seem too creative or outlandish. It is important to be professional and relevant when answering interview questions.

2. No One Will Read Your 3-Page CV.

While it is true that the first page of your CV is the most important, this does not mean that employers will not take the time to read through your entire document if it is well-written and relevant. In fact, hiring managers typically spend only 6 seconds on each cover letter, so make sure yours stands out!

3. Take What You’re Given.

Don’t be afraid to take what you’re given and make the most of it. Sometimes, all you can do is put your head down and get to work. In a competitive job market, it’s important to show that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. If you’re unemployed, consider temping or volunteering for a while. It’ll help you stay busy and may lead to new opportunities.

4. The Best Person For the Job Will Get Hired.

There are people out there who just don’t think positively – “don’t let them hold you back.” You should leave your current job before you secure a new position. This shows that you’re committed to finding a new job and willing to make the jump. It also puts a good spin on your situation by stating that you’re available for all interviews and employers know they won’t have to wait long to get you in the door.

Don’t assume you can find a new job when you’ve got one. Employers want someone who is fully available, without any other obligations. Use the time between finding and getting a new job to improve your skillset and send out amazing, compelling resumes. Being in an existing job helps you find more jobs than if you were unemployed; it demonstrates that you’re currently working (and meeting deadlines) which gives potential employers peace of mind. Finally, remember that different companies want different things from their staff – so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question!

5. No One Really Likes Their Job Anyway.

Despite what you may have heard, most people don’t actually like their jobs. Sure, they may enjoy some aspects of it, but overall it’s just not that great. And that’s okay! Life’s too short to spend it doing something you hate. It’s important to get some joy out of what you do (despite the hours) and find happiness in even the most mundane tasks.

6. All Job-Hoppers Are Frowned Upon.

Job-hopping has become a more common phenomenon in the past few years. And while it can be difficult to make the transition, especially if you don’t have good reasoning, it isn’t necessarily bad. It just takes effort to stay at the same level. In fact, many employers are actually impressed by someone who has taken the initiative and moved around a bit. Just be prepared to answer some questions about your transitions during an interview.

7. You’ll Only Get Hired If You Currently Have a Job.

On the one hand, it is easier to get hired while unemployed than when you are currently employed. On the other hand, nine out of ten jobs should be left before leaving a current job. A notice period of 4 months can be pretty difficult to find a new job. People shouldn’t risk their current job if they’re unhappy in it and believe it’s worth the risk. Use this time wisely when you’re unemployed, sending out amazing, compelling and interesting bespoke CVs and applications to employers

8. Employment Gaps Are the Worst.

There’s a lot of pressure to have a perfect job history, with no gaps in employment. However, this is virtually impossible for most people. In fact, “very few people have a perfect job history with no gaps.”

Job hopping is not a sign of success, but it can be explained as an internal change. For example, you may have left your previous position because you were promoted to a new role within the company. Specifying the reason for your job-hopping and how long it lasted will help to reassure employers that there wasn’t any pattern of job-hopping.

Adding in the date and time you left your previous position will also help to show that the gap was short-lived and unintentional. Gaps in employment are more common than you think, so don’t worry! There are ways to explain them without making it seem like you’re hiding something.

9. No One Will Hire You.

Don’t let people tell you that “you’ll never get a job”. It’s not true! A lot of people are looking for jobs, and it’s important to stay positive and focused on your own plan. Remember, a job is a collaboration between different people and companies – so be open to negotiation and don’t be afraid to start off lower than your ideal salary. Nine out of ten people would be willing to take a pay cut in order to gain more meaning from their work.

And finally, don’t compare yourself too harshly with others – most jobs will ask for varying skill sets. The top ten jobs in the survey were all in the top ten for meaningful work. Beyond that, there is no clear relationship between pay and meaning. So stay focused on what you want, keep an open mind, and don’t give up!

10. All Recruiters Are Evil.

This could not be further from the truth. Recruitment consultants care about their candidates and want to see them succeed in their job searches. In fact, many of them are former corporate recruiters who have made the switch to consulting so they can help people find the right job match.