Summary: Just because career advice is often repeated does not mean it is always true (or that it applies to everyone). Ignore this often repeated career advice.
Everyone likes to give advice, but that doesn’t mean you need to listen. When it comes to your career, most people have more of a tendency to take others’ opinions because we think career paths should be cut and dry. Mentors and people ahead of us should know better, right?
Not always. We all have different experiences, viewpoints, and opinions about how things should and shouldn’t go. Your career isn’t going to perfectly reflect anyone else’s and your circumstances are never exactly the same as what another person went through. Without a doubt, people are going to give you their opinion, and while it may be valuable, you can’t always take it into account.
Here are six particular pieces of advice to be wary of when you hear them:
- You have to start at the bottom. We’ve all heard the phrase “pay your dues,” and while yes, entitlement isn’t attractive, that doesn’t mean you have to start below what you’re qualified to do. How you value yourself is how your future employers will value you, so go for jobs that match your education and experience.
- Take any job for now. Unless you’re absolutely desperate for a paycheck, taking a job that you’re not really interested in can come back to you in the future. Job-hopping can look bad to future employers. If you took a job honestly believing it was a good fit and it didn’t work out that is fine. However, you don’t want to take jobs you know you’ll leave in a few months when a better offer comes along.
- Money isn’t important. We all would like to think we’re above money and that we would rather live our lives on principles, and while there are many things far more important than money in life, that doesn’t mean you should undervalue yourself. Money pays your rent, pays for your groceries, and allows you to enjoy hobbies and activities that bring joy into your life. Make sure you’re being appropriately compensated for your hard work.
- Find your one passion. While it’s important to be passionate about what you do, we are constantly evolving and changing people. You may not have the same passion, or just one passion, for your whole life. It’s okay if you can’t fit all your passions into one job, or if you don’t even know what you’re most passionate about. Go with your gut instincts and try to find something you enjoy doing.
- Wait your turn. Sure, your company may have a very specific system for advancement, but if there’s an opening you know you’re qualified for or you honestly feel like you deserve a raise, ask for it. Don’t sit around waiting for someone to give it to you, if you don’t ask then you’ll never know.
- Get a real job. What does that even mean? If you love being an artist and you’re making enough money to get by (even if that means working part-time at a coffee shop), stick with it! Don’t let anyone else make you feel like you should have a certain job or career, and if they push you, it’s about their own insecurities and not about you.