Terrible Career Advice From Your Parents That You Should Never Follow
Your parents mean well when they offer advice. They just want you to succeed and be happy! But when it comes to career tips, it might be time to take their advice with a grain of salt. The workplace has changed drastically since their job-hunting days, and many of their suggestions simply don’t apply anymore. If they drop any of these outdated career tips, it’s best to smile, nod, and then ignore them. Sorry, Mom and Dad, times have changed, and this advice is no longer good. We highly recommend you don’t listen to any of the pointers listed here.
“Just Walk In!”
Did your parents tell you to “just walk in and ask for a job” while you’re on the hunt? This used to be the way that people would get hired back in the 70s and 80s, but it doesn’t work now. If anything, it’ll signal to the hiring manager that you do not want a job or are too aggressive.
Online hiring is generally the smartest way to make things happen these days. Search them up and apply online.
“Get A Better Job!”
Did you ever notice how often Boomers tell people to “get a better job” when met with complaints that they can’t afford basic goods? This can be good advice if you are woefully underpaid for your field. However, jobs that pay a living wage are increasingly scarce. It’s not so easy to “get a better job” when all the jobs out there suck.
A smarter option would be to start your own business and make your own rates. Sadly, most parents won’t tell you that.
“Work Hard!”
It used to be common to hear parents tell their kids that hard work will always pay off. Perhaps that was true in the 70s, but it hasn’t been true for decades. Working hard won’t protect you from getting the axe, nor will it usually be rewarded. If anything, working too hard will cause burnout and isolation from your family.
Remember: businesses are not loyal to hard workers. Act your wage.
“Don’t Take No For An Answer”
Some parents will advise adult children to keep asking for a job until a particular HR rep tells you yes. The idea of not taking no for an answer used to be a sign of chutzpah among job seekers. Today, it just comes off as unhinged and bizarre.
This is a great way to get the police (or security) called on you to escort you out of a building. Don’t get pushy with HR.
“Wait For A Promotion”
Waiting for your boss to give you a promotion was reasonable back when companies promoted from within. This is no longer the case. Most companies hire outside of the company when they need a new manager. If you aren’t asking for a promotion, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
On a similar note, if you don’t get a promotion after meeting goals or notice “shifting goalposts,” it’s time to find a new job.
“You Need College!”
Growing up, it wasn’t uncommon for parents to tell kids they needed college to be a success. Today, we all know that’s bunk. Many college grads never work in the field of their choice. Some don’t even get wages capable of paying off those loans. Student loans are the only loan type that is not discharged by bankruptcy.
So, you might want to skip college. It’s not for everyone and can actually be a life-ruiner.
“Take Any Job.”
Parents often would tell kids to take any job offered to them because “something is better than nothing.” Sadly, many HR professionals will see a “low-end” job like house cleaning on a resume and turn their noses up at the candidate.
HR views low-end jobs a lot like an admittance of failure. A better option would be to take any job in your desired field.
“Make It A Page Long.”
If you have a resume, it doesn’t make sense to have a single page anymore. Most HR professionals don’t read all those resumes anymore. Artificial intelligence scans them to see if they contain keywords. Then, those same scanners tend to select a handful of top candidates for employers to read.
Take time with your resume. Make sure it fully explains the entire span of your abilities. It’ll help you get more callbacks than a one-page disaster would.
“Don’t Negotiate.”
Did your parents advise you to take whatever wage your potential employer gives you? If so, you’re not alone. That’s terrible advice. Many employers now make a point of low-balling potential new hires to see how much they can get away with.
It’s okay to stand up for yourself, even if you miss a shot at that job.
“Be Loyal To The Company.”
Not too long ago, it was normal for people to rely on companies for stability. You could reasonably expect to spend 30 years working at a company that would then care for you when you retire. Today, company loyalty is no more. It’s extinct.
Being loyal to a company will not get you rewarded. It will just ensure that you didn’t get a better opportunity elsewhere.
“Don’t Discuss Wages.”
This is a common piece of advice parents often tell their kids, thinking it’s a matter of being well-mannered. It’s not. This was a piece of corporate advice managers gave to help reduce the number of people asking for a raise. You don’t know you’re being exploited if you can’t find out about the exploitation, after all.
You absolutely should discuss wages with coworkers. Anyone who penalizes you for it is breaking the law.
“Don’t Fight The Office Bully.”
This is terrible advice for both your mental health and your career. You absolutely should do something if you have a workplace bully making your life nightmarish. Getting a new job is a good option, but so is talking to a lawyer about your options.
It’s against the law to create a hostile workplace. Your bully likely qualifies as a hostile workplace creator. You might be surprised at what happens if you fight back.
Choose A ‘Safe’ Career
Most parents tried to convince us to choose a safe career by studying medicine or law. While these jobs are perfect for those wanting to make money, the truth is that unless you feel the vocation, you will regret your choice soon. Nowadays, people prefer to opt for a career they love, even if it means a lower salary. In the end, we spend eight hours every day working. We better choose something we love.
Be The First One To Arrive And The Last One To Leave
Here is the anthem of hustle culture: be the first one to arrive and the last to leave. While this used to be a way for our parents to show their dedication to their work, nowadays, employees are realizing that we should work to live and not live to work! This means we should make the most out of our hours outside of work. If your shift ends at five, leave at five!
“Do Not Take Risks”
Your parents probably got ahead in their careers by working hard, laying low, and just doing what they were told. However, this isn’t always the best way to get noticed in today’s job market. Sometimes, it pays off to take a big risk. Whether you say something bold in an interview or pitch a crazy idea to your boss, being a risk taker often gets rewarded. It shows you are able to think outside of the box and that you believe in your ideas. Take educated risks, and just always be prepared to stand behind your decisions! It will make your parents proud.
“Don’t Work On The Weekends”
Your parents probably worked in a time when the workday ended at 5, and everyone was off on the weekends. It is an unfortunate fact that that wonderful schedule no longer exists. If you want to get ahead in your career, you may need to put in extra hours, including working on the weekends. In today’s demanding work environment, you may have to be available on weekends to show your commitment and push your career forward.
