Competition for jobs is on the rise in Australia, and many people could be unintentionally holding themselves back by believing common myths about the job hunting process.

Seek research has found – and disproved – some of the most common beliefs held by job seekers.

This comes after job ads on the platform increased 1.3 per cent in January – the first month-on-month rise in job ads on Seek since May 2022.

But applications per job ad had already increased 2.1 per cent in December.

From the value of connections to how to get a raise, Seek head of customer insights and strategy Aimee Hutton said it is important Aussies are able to separate fact from fiction if they want to avoid stalling their next career move.

Want a raise? Widen your horizons

Seek found 85 per cent of Australians believe ‘to get a higher salary, you need to work hard and build your skills’.

You should certainly put in the effort to better yourself in your current role, but you’ll likely find a bigger pay rise if you change jobs instead.

“According to our salary insights, as well as the experience of job seekers … those who changed jobs [in 2023] had a 1.6 times greater salary increase compared to those who stayed in the same job,” Hutton said.

“That’s often because when you step out into a new role, it gives you that opportunity to renegotiate and really show the value that you can apply to a different role or different industry.”

Before negotiating your salary with your current or future boss, it’s important to research the average pay for similar roles in your industry.

Hutton said it’s also important to be flexible by having a salary range in mind rather than a set figure, and perhaps be willing to negotiate for other benefits if your goal salary can’t be met.

The benefits you can negotiate could include the hours you work, additional paid annual leave or remote/hybrid working arrangements.

Experience isn’t everything

Many job seekers – 78 per cent, according to Seek – believe ‘you can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job’.

This probably applies to people at the start of their careers, looking for entry-level positions.

But more than half of job ads on Seek don’t include screening questions about previous experience; 58 per cent of Australians have also applied for a position in the past despite not meeting all of the requirements, and almost half of those are successful in getting the job.

Hutton said this shows whether you’re starting out in your working life or looking to make a move into a different role or industry, you can promote your relevant skills in a way that shows how you’d be the right fit for a position.

The best way to do this would be through your cover letter and resume.

“It’s really important not to discount a job just because you don’t have like-for-like experience or … skills,” Hutton said.

“Place value in understanding, where could you upskill? Where could you learn on the job? Or how can you take those transferable skills to demonstrate that you can still do that role?”

There’s more to job hunting than connections

Seek found 66 per cent of Australians believe when it comes to finding a job, ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’.

Hutton said this saying goes back generations, but only 9 per cent of employers said they made their most recent hire through word of mouth.

“Accessing your network can help you get your foot in the door,” she said.

“But when it comes to landing the right job for you, it’s actually your skills, hard work and passion that you want to highlight.”

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