What are common misconceptions in career advice?

Common misconceptions include the idea that you should quit your job if it doesn’t align perfectly on the first day, or if the workspace isn't ready. Another misconception is that people asking for LinkedIn endorsements are bullies.

How should one approach career advice found online?

When encountering career advice online, it's crucial to check the sources, verify if the advice applies to your specific situation, and validate it with an expert or mentor. If it still doesn't feel right, it's better to avoid following it.

Why is critical thinking important when receiving career advice?

Critical thinking is essential because it helps differentiate good advice from bad. It involves analyzing the advice, considering its relevance to your situation, and being aware of potential biases or underlying motives.

What should you do if you're uncertain about a piece of career advice?

If uncertain about a piece of career advice, seek a second opinion from trusted mentors or professionals in your field. It's also helpful to reflect on your personal and professional goals to see if the advice aligns with them.

Renata Bernarde

Mar 4, 2020

How to Avoid Bad Career Advice

Episode 20 - The Bad and Heartless Online Career Advice and How to Protect Yourself From It

This is an episode I didn't think I would ever record. But then I reflected some more, and it seemed like the right thing to do.

This audio was first a Facebook Live video, and in fact, it is my most popular video. I've been in two minds about sharing it on this podcast because after posting it on my Facebook, it crystallized in my mind that I always want to be a beam of light for you. I want to be positive, motivational, boosting your confidence and resiliency so that you can go through your career transition with my support to achieve your career goals.

Ultimately, I decided that, for that same reason, I had to do this video live, and now I'm sharing it with you on the podcast. Because of my deep concern that people will read this lousy advice online and get themselves into a hut, make bad decisions, and not even realize that these advices are poor and ill-considered in the first place. It's because of situations like the ones I describe in this episode that I finally decided this is enough: I can't just complain about these things all the time. I want to take action and walk the talk. I know I can guide and coach job hunters and help professionals make better career choices, so this is what I've decided to do.

My purpose is to protect professionals in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Those of us who have to manage our careers over time to ensure it has longevity, and that we can be employed and our skills needed, and our career fulfilling.

I don't plan to do a lot of critiquing in the future, but by doing this one at the beginning of our journey together, I believe it was vital for me to cement my philosophy and what I was trying to achieve, and how I was different, and also for my followers to be aware of potential pitfalls of seeking advices and solutions online. Remember to check your sources, check if the advice applies to your specific situation, validate it by running it past an expert or mentor, and if it still doesn't feel right, don't risk it.

Key takeaways:

Don't quit your job on the first day! Maybe you're there to be that transformation.
Don't quit if your workspace isn't ready for you or your email address. You might be there to create the workspace and develop a whole new area.
Don't quit if they talk about policies but not mission, vision, and values. You're there to serve, but you're also there to transform. They hired you because there is something that you need to do to help your organization. Yes, the purpose is important, and you have to work for organizations that have a purpose. But they don't need to talk about it, and they may exude it.
No, people asking for endorsements on LinkedIn are not bullies! People change cities, jobs, towns, countries. And they may not have a network there to advocate for them, to champion them into a new area or career. And every time you write an endorsement, think about the readership. What is it that an employer needs to know about this person?

And also:

Stay put, keep your job, give them time.
Follow mentors, professionals, and experts that you have your best interest at heart and that you admire. But always have a critical sense to know when they have crossed a line or reached their limit.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode; lookout for another great one coming up next week!

Note: The free career strategic sessions mentioned in this podcast were only available for a limited time. So if you are listening/reading this in the future, the booking link may have gone, sorry!

Transcript of this episode

About the Host

Hello, I’m Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I’m also an executive coach, job hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach professionals (corporate, non-profit, and public) the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress.

If you are an ambitious professional who is keen to develop a robust career plan, if you are looking to find your next job or promotion, or if you want to keep a finger on the pulse of the job market so that when you are ready, and an opportunity arises, you can hit the ground running, then this podcast is for you.

In addition to The Job Hunting Podcast, on my website, I have developed a range of courses and services for professionals in career or job transition. And, of course, I also coach private clients.