I have been out of the job market for 10+ years now as self employed. Now that I'm back I found that there are quite a lot of common job hunting myths that are frequently repeated, from outdated advice, to the downright absurd.

Unfortunately, some of them could be holding you back in finding a job if you take them too seriously, so it’s good to know what is true and what’s not.

Here are 7 of the most widespread myths [courtesy of Wiley] about your job search, that are best to ignore.

1) Being unemployed is a disadvantage when looking for a new job.

It’s a common perception that it’s easier to get a job when you’re already in a job, as you are then regarded as a sought after employee. This isn’t necessarily the case, as employers understand that there any a number of reasons why an individual may be out of a job and it doesn’t necessarily mean they are a bad worker.

2) You should put your full effort into every job lead.

It’s important to put the time in to personalise and tailor each job application for particular roles, but if you do this for every single job vacancy you come across you will soon lose motivation. It’s good to place focus and effort on the roles you are genuinely interested in. It’s important to prioritise the leads that are most likely to lead to an offer you would accept.

3) Job hunting is more difficult than a job itself.

Your job search can be extremely stressful, however if you stay organised, focused and disciplined it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you initially think.

4) When unemployed you should accept the first offer.

If you’ve been out of work for a while, you could be feeling desperate to land a role, but this doesn’t mean you should accept the first job that comes along if you don’t feel it’s right for you. Keeping this in mind, there are times when you may have to take a job that you are not 100% thrilled about, but just consider it a stepping stone. Temporary work or freelancing could be the answer if you want to carry on your job hunt.

5) It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Industry contacts can be invaluable in your job hunt, but knowing the right people isn’t the be all and end all. Networking should be part of your job search strategy, so if you begin without any connections this doesn’t need to be a disadvantage, as you can make them as you go on.

6) Being good at interviews is the most important skill.

First impressions can have a big influence on your job search and coming across as confident and self-assured in your interview will certainly help. However, to get to the interview stage you have to know how to convert job leads to set the ball rolling.

7) The only person you can depend on is yourself.

Don’t ever hesitate to ask from help when you need it. Friends, family, industry contacts and even recruiters can often provide you with the support you require to succeed in your job search. Think about how certain people could assist you and don’t forget to show gratitude when they do.