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Good Career Advice Gone Bad

Published: Dec 01, 2011

 Job Search       Resumes & Cover Letters       Workplace Issues       
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Many of the old adages concerning finding the right career are falling by the wayside as businesses - and the whole world - seem to be changing at a faster rate than ever. With a team of various specialists, Forbes has compiled a list of the top worst pieces of "good" career advice in the 21st century.

At the top of the list is the myth that life is too short to stay in a job that isn't personally rewarding.

"Most people misunderstand the relationship between passion and career choice," says Bill Holland, author of "Cracking The New Job Market: The 7 Rules for getting Hired in Any Economy." Instead, he says, job seekers should first decide what it is they excel in.

Business owner Rodger Roeser added that many entry-level workers have such high expectations of their first job that they often leave after only a few months, an "entitlement mentality" that could be crippling to a job seeker.

"If I see resumes with four jobs in two years," he says, "I won’t hire them."

While staying connected with people will always be an important aspect of finding a job, it might not be all "who you know," says James Tarbox, a professor of management at San Diego State University. Tarbox stated that in a world where people have 700 contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn, its more important to focus on the quality of contact than the quantity.

The highly sought MBA has also long been regarded as a surefire, career-developing ace, but in current times, may be an investment with little return.

"Getting an MBA is a very costly option these days, and unless you’re obtaining it with a clear career goal in mind, your school time can end up being nothing more than a glamorous two-year vacation," says Min Choi, chief executive of education consulting firm Avenue of Admissions.

In the current job market, it has become commonplace for many recent graduates to hang on to the belief they must "start from somewhere." Choi states that taking a job just to "get a foot in the door" can lead to developing a personal brand and ultimately throw a desired career track off balance.

By analyzing the current jobs market and filtering out career advice that is likely outdated, job hopefuls may get a better grasp of how to enter into a job search.

--Published Courtesy of Brafton

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