The Do’s and the Don’ts of Career Advice

Whatever happens in the world, everyone always has their own two bits to share about it. Be it politics, the budget or aviation norms, you can always find someone willing to share their personal opinion about it. The same is the case with career advice. Everyone has followed their separate paths to where they are today, and everyone has their own take to share.

The thing about career advice is that it varies with every person and not every career advice ends up being good for the masses. But do not fret, because we have gone through the depths of the ocean of advice for you and have come up with a few of the most common advises that do the rounds today. We are going to explain which ones are good, which ones you should avoid and which ones need to be selectively analyzed before being followed.

Do what you love and you won’t have to work for a single day.

The most common and the most famous advice of all time, tells it truly that you should always try to find a career that you love. But it’s the second part of this advice that worries us. Just because you find something you love does not mean that you don’t have to work. Passion is a very important aspect of success and you really need to be passionate and need to strive for success. Loving what you do does not mean you should settle for mediocre, instead you need to work towards being the best. Work is NOT play. Even the best job in the world is still a job.

Money doesn’t matter

More of an extension of the previous advice; realize this, money does matter. Entry level jobs of course rarely pay a lot, but once you learn the basics, keep an open mind and keep looking for better pay options in the same field. These opportunities are there. You just need to look. Look for a career that you love and is also sustainable, with opportunities to grow.

Hard work alone equals success

Not true. It is not hard work, but smart work that ensures success.

Never leave a job unless you’ve been there for at least a year

It’s opportunity vs. stagnancy. Of course, don’t quit unless you have something lined up, but just because you want to complete one year, you shouldn’t shut yourself to new opportunities.

Stay with a company long term and promotions will come

Might be true, but studies say otherwise. People who learn all they can from a place and move on are likely to move up much sooner than people who stick around.

You can be anyone you want to be

Of course not! We’re not being killjoys here, but here’s what makes more sense – “You can’t be anyone you want to be, but you can improve who you already are.” Every individual has different capabilities and inclinations, and they are what make a person unique. Don’t try to be anyone, instead work on developing who you are.

Hold out for the perfect opportunity

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about finding that amazingly perfect job, but rather about finding a good opportunity and making it a perfect learning opportunity.

Be open to criticism

This is one of the really good advises, because not everyone can see where they go wrong. But a fresh pair of (experienced) eyes might be able to see something you missed. Be open even to negative feedback and work towards improving yourself based on said feedback.

These are a few of the most common advises that are generously given nowadays. Share with us the advice that has been given to you, and we will tell you whether it is good, bad or needs to be followed selectively.