On the internet, there’s a lot of career advice floating around. Some of it is good, while some of it is not so good. Have you ever received career advice and thought, “Why would I listen to this?” When looking for direction, it’s important to understand where you get your advice from. You should also recognize the forms that career advice takes and how to avoid it. Here are four pieces of career advice you shouldn’t be taking.

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Feel-good phrases

While there’s nothing wrong with positivity, you should be careful with basing your career moves on wishy-washy advice. Feel-good phrases aren’t necessarily designed to point you in any particular direction. If anything, they’re used primarily for motivation and inspiration to action. Motivation is a good thing. However, if it isn’t backed up by proper actions and steps, it can lead you down the wrong path.

Vague ideas

Advice should contain concrete ideas and actionable steps. If the advice you’re receiving involves vague things that don’t speak to your unique situation, look elsewhere. Vague ideas come from people who don’t know you and don’t understand you. Vague ideas may also come from fake mentors who don’t really know what they’re talking about.

Ulterior motives

Advice shouldn’t have biases or ulterior motives. That is, the person offering the advice should be neutral. Sometimes, you may be given advice by a family member or friend. This can be helpful if you trust them. However, if you receive advice that clearly leads to the adviser benefiting in some way or another, steer clear. You should be looking for guidance that will benefit you and will help your career, not someone else’s.

Outdated recommendations

Watch out where you’re getting your advice from. Specifically, if you rely on internet research, watch out for advice that is more than 5 years old. Career and industry outlook trends change all the time and become outdated quickly. This is especially the case now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has changed the workplace and how everyone does business. Advice from 2019, even, wouldn’t do you much good in 2022.

In spite of the advice you should avoid, we can help you get sound advice on the current trends in light industrial work. Contact us today to find out how we can help!