Consensus

It’s not the Holy Grail, but…

Simultaneously, we are living in the Information Age and the age of fake news. If and how they are inter-related is another discussion for another day. Regardless, there is a connection to you, the mature job seeker, and the volume of job search information and advice available at any given time.

As we are bombarded with news from every corner of the globe, we also are inundated with job search advice. Resume advice. Interview advice. Social media advice. And on. And on. And on.

Let’s face it, some people post articles on various outlets solely for self-promotion. While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, there comes a time when you have to take their advice with a grain of salt.

How do you know what job search advice to believe?

How do you know which piece of advice is solid, current, applicable and on the money? On a case-by-case basis, it’s pretty tough. So, what’s a body to do?

As you sift through the many tidbits of advice, you really need to pay attention. If you are paying attention, you will notice that the same pieces of advice keep recurring again and again. They may say things differently or in a different context, but the underlying message will be the same. The key is consensus.

It’s not unlike getting tips on financial information or the stock market. If one stock analyst says that ABC Company is a good investment, that doesn’t mean much – regardless of the individual’s track record. However, when several different stock advisers all start saying that ABC Company is a good buy, they’re generally right.

The same is true in the job search world. When the consensus keeps telling you that LinkedIn is an important weapon in your job search arsenal and most jobs are secured through networking, they’re probably right.

There are no guarantees, of course, but in the end, the truth will win out.