8 Pieces of Career Advice You Need to Ignore

Irrespective of the years of professional experience and knowledge of the industry, everyone finds the need for some career advice at one point of time. Especially the young professionals look out for some guidance to make important decisions in their career. But remember, not every advice you get is good. A lot of people end up hurting their professional careers by following the suggestions of someone else.

From applying for a new job to the way you should conduct yourself in the office, here are eight pieces of career advice you must ignore:

It is okay to exaggerate or lie on your resume       

Absolutely not! Tampering the truth on your resume is probably one of the worst ideas in the professional field. Not only is it ethically wrong, it can land you into serious trouble. Companies can easily disclose if you are exaggerating about your skill sets or lying about prior experience. There are strict background checks and proficiency tests to verify all the declarations on your resume. Lying on your resume can cost you your job and can give you a bad reputation for a lifetime.

Your resume should be very long and detailed

If that was the case, it would be called a book and not a resume. Some people believe that a detailed resume tends to provide a clear picture of their strengths and achievements. But contrary to this notion, employers and interviewers have been repeatedly saying that they prefer a resume that is crisp, concise and thoughtfully arranged. Only mention the key points in your resume and utilize the interview time to explain about your achievements instead of writing about them.

Take the first job that comes your way

If you are unemployed and in desperate need of money, then yes! But if you are already working with a company and looking for a change, do not rush into it. Ask yourself if that role fits your skill sets and can help you move up the corporate ladder. If it is not in sync with your career goals, it probably is not the right job for you. Also, do not listen to people who say “take a job if it pays handsomely.” It might sound tempting momentarily, but can create obstacles in the future.

Be very prompt in the interview

Not unless you are playing a rapid-fire round! Interviewers are impressed with a candidate who takes some time to think about the question and frames a clear and well-constructed response. While too much delay in responding is considered lack of preparedness, you should not speak the first thing that comes to your mind. You do not want to say something in hurry and regret later, do you?

Have professional relations with the people you work with

It is just a subtle way of saying that you should not be friends with your colleagues. It might have been the trend in the last century, but things have changed now. People spend a lot of time in their offices these days. Being friends with your co-workers creates a level of comfort and trust at the workplace and increases your efficiency. Plus, you get a strong moral support in matters which you do not want to discuss outside of work.

Stay low and you will not be given more responsibilities

Sadly, it is true. If you do not make yourself seen in the organization, you will not be given any major responsibilities. Is it good? No. The industry is very competitive and the companies now reward dedication and willingness to learn. They also reward more profitability. So, if you are not going the extra mile in adding to the productivity of the business, you will find it difficult to grow in the company. This can cause stagnation in career and delayed promotions. Not a good way to succeed, right?

Find your comfort zone and stick to it

This simply means do not take progressive risks in your career. Many people fear that a change in status quo might damage their career. But, in fact, they just avoid working hard towards a better career. Unless you are eager to learn more and be open to any challenges, you will find it difficult to grow in any industry.

Never quit your job unless you have an alternative

Yes, it can be a little inconvenient. But, if you are really not comfortable or happy in your current job, then it is better to quit. Do not suffer the mental stress of going to the office every day if it is the one thing you hate the most. Whether it is a workplace problem, or your detachment with the job that you’re doing, don’t do it if it makes you sad.