When to Ignore Common Career Advice

When to Ignore Common Career AdviceWhen to Ignore Common Career Advice It seems everywhere we turn in life, there is always someone eager to share advice. But which advice is good? And which tips should you ignore?On top of it all, you may be part of the group that is most commonly targeted by these well-intended advisors college graduates . Even though youve left the classroom, the education hasnt ended. You have one last lesson to learn when to trade common career advice for more logical and fulfilling alternatives. No matter what task you are facing - writing your resume , buying an interview suit, paying your dues as the newbie - people will offer their input. But there is no task that draws as much critique as choosing your first job . Perhaps the reason for this is because it is one of the biggest challenges college graduates face. Its a struggle to determine your calling, which path you should take. Even those who have narrowed their focus to, say, teachin g or becoming a doctor, still have important decisions to make. For example, which school district is best? Which grade? Your loved ones will try to make this decision easierby offering schwimmbad advice and old clichs. LikeFollow your passion and youll never work a day in your life. Start by looking for a job in your chosen field. Just find a way to put food on the table. All in all, thats not a whole lot of encouraging, actionable advice.If you ask more than one person for their advice, youre bound to receive different messages. And chances are, those messages will be contradictory. And neither option will likely be the best advice.For example, some people might tell you that you shouldnt base your decision on how much youll earn. Money cant buy happiness, and all that. However, establishing financial stability is a responsibility a lot of people struggle with. You should be thinking about your monthly expenses, your emergency fund, your savings, and your retirement - and how much youll need to earn to take care of all those things. On the other hand, people might tell you to just accept any job so you can start earning a livingand probably paying off student loans . But should you really base your decision on which job pays the most? (No)At the other end of the spectrum, people might encourage you to choose a job based on emotions instead of finances. What makes you happy? This, unfortunately, isnt sound advice either.While it is important to choose a job you enjoy and gives you a sense of purpose, it is foolish to think your career will be the source of your happiness . Want to test this statement? Ask those people who claim they love their job if theyd work for free. The answer is probably no. The reason for this? Psychologist Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic says its because work is a poor vehicle for self-actualization. Pretending otherwise adds heaps of unfair pressure on the average employee to find their dream job. Its raised career aspira tions beyond what it is feasibly achievable for most.Yet, settling isnt the answer either. If you dont feel a sense of purpose at your job, it could be hard to even get out of bed in the morning. So what is the advice you should follow?Author Tim Keller encourages job searchers to consider three thingsDetermine what you are good at, what you enjoy, and what is available. When these three things align, youve found your calling. Of course, these three things wont necessarily align immediately. It might take some time to figure out the first two and for the third to emerge. So, start at the top. You might have to try a couple of jobs to figure this out, to determine what skills you have and how they relate to the workforce. Then, think about how using those abilities could bring you enjoyment and purpose. For example, using your writing skills to keep on writing papers the way you did in college might not seem rewarding, but using those same skills to craft grant proposals fo r a non-profit might be. You may stumble upon an opportunity to combine your abilities and affinity , but in all likelihood, youll probably have to search a little. Get creative. Think outside the box about how your abilities can be used. In reality, there are probably way more opportunities than you realize. Remember, striving for the dream job will simply raise career aspirations beyond what is feasibly achievable. That being said, dont stay at a job just because you found an opportunity. If you discover the first two components are missing - ability and affinity - you still havent found the right opportunity. Think of your job search as a marathon, not a sprint. The advice others give is bad because it is aimed at creating a short-term solution, but your career is a long-term responsibility. Take your timeyoull get there eventually.