Job hunting, whether during regular days or during Ramadan, feels like an ever-changing art. You might assume that every time you are ready to get into the job-hunting business, there is a new technique or tool that is vital to your search. There are always myths concerning job hunting, especially during Ramadan, and there is a right way to handle things. However, job hunting is entirely customized to you. You have to make it your own to achieve the desired results.
Now, let us dispel some of the most common job search myths that we learned about last Ramadan and help you feel more confident when looking for your dream job.
“Ramadan is a bad month for job hunting”
Most people assume Ramadan is not a perfect time for job hunting. While commercial activities are usually at an all-time low during this holy month, job recruitment does not come to a halt. More than 76% of job seekers feel more productive when it comes to working during Ramadan. So, do not feel like Ramadan is the wrong time to search for jobs. Go ahead and apply for every opportunity, and you are bound to prosper.
“Job openings might temporarily decrease”
Most job seekers assume that Ramadan is a terrible time to search for a job, especially in banking, real estate, and technology. The best thing you can do is take advantage of this lag time. Few job openings do not sound promising at first. However, the positions posted and available during Ramadan are the ones hiring managers actively seek to fill. While most individuals are away on holiday or taking some much-needed personal time, these are the direst and vital positions you need to capitalize on to get ahead.
On the other hand, fewer positions allow you to prepare for any available jobs immediately after Ramadan ends fully. Therefore, take that time to curate incredible CVs and research recent hires at the best companies to learn what they did before hiring. Use strong keywords, highlight your most essential accomplishments and specifics relating to the job posting and accentuate your eagerness to be flexible.
Zhuzh up your social media profiles, especially LinkedIn, clean them, and ensure they are professionally done. Be ready to be interviewed, but do not also get disappointed if any personal meetings do not happen until July.
“Always schedule a job interview between 9 am to 2:30 pm”
While it is true that most job interviews are conducted during the set Ramadan month hours (9.30 am to 2.30 pm), employers might, once in a while, find some time to interview desirable job seekers. What’s more, off-peak hours might be the best time for an interview since fewer distractions exist.
However, to be on the safe side (not most companies will set off-peak hour interviews), make sure to schedule morning interviews (as close as Suhoor as possible). Studies show that dehydration can reduce brain performance by 40%. So asking a recruiter or employer for an early interview will ensure you and the hiring manager perform at your level best.
“You do not have to follow up”
While you might get a chance to follow up during Ramadan, we suggest you do so after Eid Al Fitr. That is the best time to follow up with companies and send follow-up emails to every company you applied for a job for during the holy month. Hiring will return to normal when commercial activities resume. Therefore, reaching out to hiring managers during a slow downtime will make you memorable when they kickstart the hiring process again.
“Job search sites will do the job hunting for you”
Yes, most companies might not be announcing positions during Ramadan, but this does not mean you should entirely rely on job sites to find positions for you. It is not their responsibility. Job sites and portals will help maintain your profile and forward your profile to companies. However, there are in no way obliged to search for or provide you with your dream jobs.
“You don’t stand a chance if you don’t know anyone at the company”
While knowing someone who works at your dream company can give you an upper hand and an edge over your competitors, you still have a chance to land your favorite job without connections. Hiring managers still look through CVs and application letters for required qualifications and will not brush you aside because you do not have a solid connection at the company.
“You can only apply for jobs online during Ramadan”
Most job seekers might lean towards applying for jobs online-only, given the work environment. And while searching for jobs on online job boards might be the key to finding your dream job, you also need to utilize different job-seeking strategies. For instance, a walk-in job search can do wonders for you. They not only help you secure your dream ob quickly, but if you want to reignite your career, walk-ins are the best strategy for you.
You can also try cold pitching strategies. You can prepare a short elevator pitch and call numerous hiring specialists. Build a rapport by saying how you find them and why you are interested in the position, then offer them a pitch and see if they require someone with your skills and expertise or if they know a company that might need your qualifications.
So there you have it. These are the myths about job hunting during Ramadan that we have learned about from job seekers this past Ramadan. If you’re looking to get your dream job or even change careers, stay positive, network like your life depends on it, and your efforts will surely bear fruits!
Start by looking at the 48,000+ jobs we have available for you on Bayt.com and pick your ideal opportunity!
