What Is Some Counterintuitive Career Advice?
Aug 8, 2017 · 3 min read

This answer was originally published on Quora by Mira Zaslove.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes and watched other people leave money and advancement on the table by doing the safe and conventional thing.
Career advancement can often be improved by actually doing the opposite of what I’d originally think to do.
A few pieces of counterintuitive career advice:
Ask for more than you want
- Conventional wisdom: In salary negotiations, or performance reviews it’s best to play it safe and not ask for too much. You want to appear rational, and not price yourself out of the market. If you ask for too much, you think you’ll be shot down, and lose the opportunity all together. Many people believe it’s best to play it safe and not appear greedy. Best to just get along, politely accept what is offered, and not rock the boat. Conventional wisdom leads many people to fear looking too aggressive and think it it will hurt them if they ask for more.
- Counterintuitive career tip: You are better off asking more more. People tend to think you are worth what you ask for. I’ve seen less qualified and less talented candidates get higher salaries than others with more experience and better resumes only because they ask for it. I’ve seen people negotiate lucrative signing bonuses. While other — and better candidates — — get nothing, often because they didn’t even ask.
- What you get in life isn’t always what you deserve, but often what you ask for. Companies rarely give you more than what you ask for. So aim high. Also keep in mind that it’s a cumulative effect. Your long-term earnings (salary, bonus, etc) are often based on what you enter at, so this adds up fast.
- Anchoring is your friend. When asked you how much you want — start by adding an extra 25–30% and negotiate from there. You’d be surprised how much you get what you ask for, or even close to it.
Don’t appear too busy or that you are working too hard
- Conventional wisdom: Always show the boss how hard you are working. Keep your head down and don’t talk to people socially while at work. When people ask how you are doing, say “busy” and rush away. Work nights and weekends and always give 110%.
- Counterintuitive career tip: Slow down and give the appearance of calm. You want to be seen as always in control and ready to take on more. Even if you are stressed out, don’t show it. The busier and more stressed out you appear, the fewer opportunities you will have. I’ve seen smart, super hard working employees fail to get promoted, because they have taken on too much, and appeared too frazzled.
- If you appear overly stressed people will think you aren’t prepared, or can’t take on more. You’ll miss opportunities for new and innovative projects or leadership roles. The best projects often come to those who appear to have the bandwidth to take on more.
- Don’t always give 110%. It will only lead to burn out and mistakes. Rather, give when it really matters. Prioritize the projects that will lead to the highest degree of visibility and return, and then give your all.
Did you like Mira’s answer? Find some more helpful advice on getting hired in the 26-page Post -Grad Survival Guide Magazine.


