Job hunting can be a stressful process, especially when bombarded with conflicting advice on how to navigate the professional world. To help professionals avoid common pitfalls, career experts have shared some of the worst and most common pieces of job advice you’ll hear. One piece of advice is to only apply for jobs that you meet all the qualifications for. However, job descriptions are often wish lists and many job postings do not actually require the listed qualifications. Instead, experts advise applying if you meet most key qualifications and explain in your application how your unique skill set can benefit the role.
Another common piece of advice is to find a job you love so that work never feels like work. While it’s important to find meaning and purpose in your work, not every job needs to be a passion project. It’s normal for a job to simply be a means to fund your life outside of work. Instead of forcing your hobby into a career, find something that brings you joy and purpose every day, ensuring that you always have something to look forward to.
There is also the outdated advice that you should stay in a job for at least a year to avoid appearing disloyal to potential employers. However, prioritizing your well-being and leaving a job that no longer serves you is more important. Multiple jobs can actually make you a more desirable candidate as it shows adaptability and a range of experiences. Instead of waiting around for things to get better at a job, it’s better to actively manage your career path by regularly assessing whether your current role aligns with your personal values and long-term goals.
The advice to make yourself indispensable at work can be misleading as arbitrary layoffs can still occur. Rather than focusing on becoming indispensable, employees should build up their layoff resiliency by developing a financial cushion and investing in their network. Professionals are often told to take on extra work for exposure, but it’s important to ensure that there is formal and financial acknowledgment for the additional responsibilities. In some cases, taking on extra work can lead to valuable connections and mentorship opportunities, but it should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
One of the worst pieces of advice is to wait for things to get better at work when promised rewards or changes never materialize. Instead of waiting around, it’s important to observe the actions of the company and make decisions based on tangible evidence rather than empty promises. Knowing when it’s time to move on from a job is a valuable career lesson, and sometimes it’s necessary to prioritize your own happiness and growth over loyalty to a job that no longer serves you. Ultimately, it’s important to be proactive in managing your career and not passively wait for things to change.
