The Problem with Following Career Advice

It’s not that the guidance is bad, it’s just not the guidance you need

lisa Schmidt
Practice in Public

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Photo by Gilly on Unsplash

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Whether on social media, or through various career, professional and industry webinars, advice abounds on how to land the so-called dream job or tee yourself up for the next promotion. Covering everything from leveraging your volunteer activities to sucking on a mint before a face-to-face interview, more ‘experts’ that I can count are at the ready with guidance on what you must do, should never do, and what you can get away with in the context of a particular type of employer, job or industry.

The vast majority of these proposed tactics and strategies attempt to sell you on the idea there is a straightforward recipe to success, and if you do (or avoid, depending on the advice) what’s suggested, you’ll rise to the top of the candidate shortlist and have a relatively uncomplicated, though depending on your aspirations, possibly months-long job search.

And if the advice doesn’t work? Take a look in the mirror. The underlying message is that it’s not the advice that’s lacking, but something about you, your process or your…

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