Myth #1: I don’t need an online public profile; everyone knows me
Truth: Your friends may know you, but your acquaintances who would like to know you better probably rely on Google and other search engines for more information about you. In fact
Bayt.com’s 'Personal Branding' poll reveals that nine in 10 professionals run an online search for people they have met, or are about to meet. Further data from the same poll also indicates that 61% of professionals say that their company checks the profiles of new recruits online before hiring them. Take the time to invest in a top quality
Public Profile on a leading regional professional platform, such as Bayt.com, so that you can control how others perceive you.
Myth #2: It’s enough to just have an online public profile; no need to apply to jobs
Truth: Yes many jobs do get filled through the Search mechanism on leading job sites for sure, especially at the senior end of the spectrum. However many employers also favor actively job hunting talent and professionals who show a real keen interest in their company.
54% of professionals classify themselves as active job seekers who actively apply to jobs, compared to 46% who have their CV online and wait for employers to contact them. Moreover, candidates need to differentiate themselves by every means possible to potential employers including by getting referred, endorsed and ranked on key professional platforms like Bayt.com Specialties.
Myth #3: Applying to all jobs advertised out there is the surest way to get a job
Truth: Relying on a splatter-gun effect when applying to jobs is the surest way to bring down your job application relevancy score (check your Bayt.com account Workspace for this helpful feature), which is ultimately not great for your job search or your confidence.
Employers want relevance above all else. Bayt.com’s state-of-art search, sorting and filtering tools ensures that only the relevant CVs are viewed and contacted. To get notified when a job relevant to your skills and experience is published on Bayt.com, simply
set up a weekly job alert. Its’ simple and its free.
Myth #4: The best way to prepare for an interview is a good night's rest
Truth: Employers are interested in candidates who have researched their company and industry and are familiar with the latest news, trends and market insights. Take the time to do your homework and to understand what the company and job and industry are all about. Visit Bayt.com’s
Companies platform and
Salaries platform to learn more about the company and do a thorough online search so you know what to expect at the interview and have some good questions prepared.
Myth #5: Leading job sites are too competitive; I don’t stand a chance
Truth: 80% of professionals think the Internet is a ‘very important’ mode of sourcing candidates as per
Bayt.com’s 'Modern Job Search in the MENA' poll. Employers are indeed armed with extremely powerful tools to sift and search through CVs on a leading job site like
Bayt.com and to identify key strategic fit CVs in no time. However Bayt.com has recently released a whole suite of new tools and data interfaces that give job seekers an unprecedented advantage by highlighting key information related to their individual CV and job search and giving them key insights to help navigate their individual job search. CVs that are rich in relevant keywords and professionally put together are always at an advantage.
Myth #6: Employers never contact me; the job site must be withholding my CV
Truth: Leading job sites like Bayt.com have done us all a favor by taking the human intermediation part out the job search process and ensuring the employer and job seeker are always in direct contact and communication with each other. The instant a public CV or
Public Profile is posted on Bayt.com it becomes immediately accessible to employers who can contact the professional directly and immediately should they choose to. Similarly, applications to job postings are received directly by employers without any human involvement or intermediation by the job site itself. Remember employers receive many hundreds of applications for any job so it is not always possible for them to respond to each and every one, but on Bayt.com you can get real-time insights in your personal Workspace on how often your CV is being searched for and viewed. This very handy
Bayt.com infographic lists the 10 ‘pressure points’ that make a successful online profile.
Myth #7: After the interview, the ball is in the employer’s court
Truth: Employers are busy people. You may have truly impressed in the interview but you still need to follow up with a thank you letter and a confirmation of your interest in the company if you wish to remain top of mind. Many great interviewees fail to sell their interest in the company enough and employers usually lean towards enthusiastic professionals who are passionate about the company and their potential role in it. By all means follow up politely and professionally after the interview and keep an open dialogue with companies that interest you so your application remains warm. Check out this helpful
video blog on how to write the perfect 'thank you' letter.
