Are You Getting Good or Bad Career Advice?

When I lost my job years ago, I was about every emotion you could imagine. At that time, career transition consultants didn't exist, at least to my knowledge. Scary it was...I had to figure things out for myself and for quite a while, I was a bit of a lost soul as I recall. Blamed myself for losing my job...thought I must be a real loser or something. There weren't familiar lines like "nothing personal; just business" to cling to. Nope, I just thought I had royally messed up.

I recall one of my close friends several years later, shortly after I had resigned from a "really good job", telling me that I needed to take some "tests" to figure out my next career move. So I did. I took a vocational interest inventory...paid The Guy a couple hundred bucks for it. I remember that he asked me what I wanted to do...told him I wanted to get a graduate degree and use my interests in business, coupled with my love of psychology and writing, to start a business. He frowned and gave me the inventory.

I'll never forget the day he interpreted my "test" results. I had scored high in many areas...okay, so I'm interested in a lot of stuff. And then he proceeded to tell me the unthinkable..."you are not cut out for graduate level coursework." I remember asking him "why not" and he said "because of the raw number...you like things to move quickly and you would be too impatient to sit in a classroom" blah blah; I don't recall hearing much else after that.

The Guy totally solidified my career choice...that day, that hour, that moment with his discouraging words. I went home and called the local university's Admissions Department to see what it would take to get into graduate school. I don't believe in keeping score...I do believe in tracking performance. I will always remember that humid August day when I received the envelope in the mail containing my Master's degree diploma. I cried because I was so happy and then I called The Guy and made an appointment to go see him -- you know, follow-up and all.

Bad advice is worse than no advice. It can, for sure, lead you astray and put you on the wrong path. Listen to yourself. Trust yourself. Don't be afraid to ask too many questions and/or get a second and third professional opinion. If what you're hearing doesn't sound right, feel right, or smell right, no matter who's doing the telling, no matter how many degrees they have, don't do it! I am glad I didn't listen to The Guy and that I had the courage to pursue what was in my head, and in my heart. I would encourage you to do the same. 

posted by: billiesucher 

Comments

[Brie]

Sounds like that advisor is the worst sort- advisors aren't meant to tell you what to do with your life, they are there to help you figure it out for yourself. I'm a college career advisor and I've never (even if I thought it silently in my mind) said to a student or alum, "I don't think you'd do well in ____." It's just wrong. It's not advice, it's criticism, and not even the constructive kind. I'm so glad to hear you followed through on your ideas AND followed up with The Guy. Well done, and an excellent story for others to hear!!

[Ben Stone]

Hello Billie

Ben Stone here - I am undergoing a similar transformation right now and starting my own business. I've had some doubters but some solid supporters as well. I think the key is to listen to the "why" in the advise. If someone is trying to stop you, listen to the "why" of the cautioning statement and make sure you have that "why" covered and move on. IE: "You can't do this because the economy is so bad right now". I know the economy sucks so I make sure I position my marketing as an answer to the bad economy and look for ways to help clients deal with that situation. I don't stop moving forward because someone else is scared but I make sure that I am comfortable with my answer to their "why". I have learned a bit from the naysayers as to some weak spots in my planning and for that I am grateful, but I'm not letting them stop me!

I hope you and your family are well!

Ben Stone
RPO Consulting, LLC.

[billiesucher]

Brie, thanks for your thoughts...you sound like a wonderful advisor! Students of all ages need people that care and that can truly make a difference in their career choices. Appreciate your comments.

Billie

[billiesucher]

Ben! Congrats on the new business venture...so happy to "hear" from you. That's smart thinking about listening to the "why"...good way of checking to see that you're on the right track. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help support your business success! Very happy for you!

Billie

[Karen P. Katz]

Billie-

Your personal story is inspiring, as usual. My entry into this field was also prompted by bad advice - from "the gal."
In my case, she told me that my second career ought to be in teaching - it would integrate many of my skills and allow me to achieve the balance I needed with the lives of my children.
So, with little networking and no job-shadowing, I gave up a career in HR to pursue lots of part-time jobs and a teacher-certification program. After a lot of personal and family sacrifice, 5 graduate-level courses, and a student teaching appointment, I became a teacher. ta-dum...
Problem was, I hadn't been in a school for >25 years. Too late, I learned it was not the work environment for me. After two years of trying to fit me, the square peg, into the round hole of teaching, I returned to an HR-related field where I could work with adults. First I worked as a CMC for a major outplacement company. Then I had an opportunity to develop and lead a career development program sponsored by a community college. These were both great experiences for me! I shared my expertise, made a tangible difference in the lives of others, and felt good about my ability to teach adults.

Like you, I went back and had a conversation with "the gal." The gal was me, and the experience helped me to become a proponent of the valuable services offered by career strategists. I believe in the value of practical career facilitation so much that like Popeye, I am what I am: a career & online identity strategist.

[billiesucher]

Karen, isn't it interesting the roads we travel and the many twists and turns a career takes...thanks so much for sharing. I always love hearing stories about how people get to where they are...and the many lessons learned along the way, bad advice and all! :-)

Billie

[Bob McIntosh]

Billie,

This is a great story that speaks to the importance of job seekers following what their heart tells them. As a career counselor at a One-Stop career center, I administer the SDS, and some of the participants are disappointed in their "ideal jobs." I always end the workshop by telling the that although this self-assessment tool tells them what their job interests might be according to Dr. John Holland and his colleagues, it's what their heart...and head tell them that's really important. Other self-assessment tools like the MBTI are useful, as well as informational interviewing, and advice from career counselors. Great story. Can I share it?

[billiesucher]

Yes, by all means...share as you wish; that's great! I am very familiar with the resources you mention and have used the SDS as well. Have you by chance used the StrengthsFinder 2.0 and if so, did your clients find it helpful? Here's a link:

http://www.strengthsfinder.com/113647/Homepage.aspx

Thanks for your feedback Bob & Happy Friday the 13th!
Billie

[bbrockit]

A good resource for researching companies for their "career potential" is www.CareerVote.com. The site allows you to rate the leadership, management and stability of your current company and research those aspects of companies you may be considering joining.

[Doug Blemker]

Billie:
I also paid for a career consultation to help in my "empowered job search." Like you, I stopped listening, but for different reasons. Having recently completed almost three years in a graduate programs, I was on the other side of school and was looking to reposition myself in the workforce.

After making an appointment with this "leader in the field," I knew within five minutes that I was not going to be helped. The person had not reviewed my resume and spoke of ways to find my "perfect job" that I could have found (and I had found) by basic Internet searches.

Because of this experience, I am leery of career counselors and experts sharing their expertise. The negative experience of this one person destroyed my trust of almost everyone in the field. Understanding that many reading this blog are those that help others find jobs, please keep reading.

In today's job searching environment, the rules are changing. The ideas and suggestions of the "experts" should change as well. I applaud those that continue to reach out to job seekers with support and new ideas. Jason Alba at JibberJobber and J.T. O'Donnell at CareerRealism both seem to understand this and treat everyone as an individual.

As a job seeker and well-educated individual, I seek advice from many, follow the advice of some and evaluate MY application of that advice. I am saddened and disappointed that some "experts" are taking money from those that need it most - the unemployed.

Whether this attitude is right or wrong, I'm not sure. But, if I put my trust in and give my dollars to someone to provide me with the tools and expertise to find a job, I expect results and the blame is put on them, not on me. If I follow my own ideas (or the free suggestions of others), I am fully responsible.

[billiesucher]

Thanks for the tip about CareerVote...will check it out. - Billie

[billiesucher]

Doug, I am sorry to hear that your experience with a career professional was less than a stellar one. Unfortunately, like any service-related business, most vendors are really good and worth every penny and then there are those who give the whole industry a bad name and that's unfortunate for all of us. I think you share good wisdom worth repeating....

"seek advice from many, follow the advice of some and evaluate MY application of that advice."

Don't know if you have a copy of R.N. Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute book, but if you do, by chance, go to the back of the book and read the entire section on How To Choose A Career Counselor. He offers some excellent guidance there. Thanks for your candor and taking time to write such an excellent comment. I hope others can learn from your words.

- Billie

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