Worst Advice (job offers, employment, consulting, tips)

[vh380]

I was wondering, what's some of the WORST advice you've received related to employment? Could be about your resume, your job search, interview tips, negotiations, etc. And what made it so bad...was it outdated, too simple or simply just plain bad advice for the situation at hand?

Vicki Herrod (vh380)

[mbuszu]

Hired as a consultant for a top ten global technology company and once there was told... oh we have a problem with placing people into projects right now, but we found something you can do temporarily... a support function which aligns with your education anyway. I was promised I would be able to get back into consulting whenever I wanted if I took the position. Well... I took it, and then found that I couldn't transition out of the support function without putting my employment at risk and angering my manager. I also found that the unlimited supply of training I had had access to as a new hire suddenly disappeared, so I couldn't even grow the very skills being sought after for new projects. It was a pretty bad situation... especially since a lot of energy and money had just been spent to relocate for the employer.

The lesson-learned is that in the corporate world people will tell you whatever necessary to get you to do something they want. Unless you get their promises in writing, and they indeed are not leaving the company (and/or they would continue to be held accountable), the promises are empty. You need to remain acutely aware that your career is like your family... even though you may be new to a company you need to make all the decisions about it for yourself with your eyes open. If something doesn't sound or feel right, trust your instincts (rather than the person doing the advising).

[mbuszu]

Oh I remember another time I received even worst advice... LOL so bad I dismissed it. Some idiot recruiter at a job fair told me that I came across as too confident and that I should not talk with recruiters or interviewers with so much confidence because... and this is the punch line folks... those I'm speaking with might be concerned that I'll take their jobs if hired! He shook hands with me and wouldn't let go and then told me this advice in a low voice like he was some sort of business genius. Needless to say I knew he was an idiot right away, ignored his advice, and then landed 2 excellent job offers via that one job fair. Considering only 7 of my peers out of 500 landed jobs via this fair, and most taking their first offer... I'd say I did the right thing by ignoring this fellow. Confidence is king in the business world, especially if justified. Don't let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

[FarNorthDallas]

A recruiter told me I should only work with her company and not search for a job on my own or talk to other recruiters. She said it was bad to have too many resumes out there. That may be true at higher levels of employment, but not my level. If I waited for that recruiter to find me a job, I'd still be looking. Instead I found a job in 10 days by using multiple recruiters and sending out resumes on my own.

[GypsySoul22]

FarNorthDallas, what horrible (and selfish) advice that woman gave you. If we all sat around hoping the 'employment agency' would find us a job we'd all never work! They usually just try to get you to take 'anything' so they get paid!

[vh380]

And FarNorthDallas, I have worked in the employment agency world for nearly 25 years and I agree, you'd never be employed if you waited on us to "find you a job". However you CAN FIND an ethical, upstanding recruiter who will tell you the truth, help you through the complicated process and maximize your negotiations with your future employer and who does end up finding you the right job. So recruiters of all kinds work and you ran into a really bad seed.

And depending on your salary level, especially if you're making over 125K a year, individuals should make relationships with retained search firms, too. Sorry you had that experience!

[vh380]

Originally Posted by mbuszu

Oh I remember another time I received even worst advice... LOL so bad I dismissed it. Some idiot recruiter at a job fair told me that I came across as too confident and that I should not talk with recruiters or interviewers with so much confidence because... and this is the punch line folks... those I'm speaking with might be concerned that I'll take their jobs if hired! He shook hands with me and wouldn't let go and then told me this advice in a low voice like he was some sort of business genius. Needless to say I knew he was an idiot right away, ignored his advice, and then landed 2 excellent job offers via that one job fair. Considering only 7 of my peers out of 500 landed jobs via this fair, and most taking their first offer... I'd say I did the right thing by ignoring this fellow. Confidence is king in the business world, especially if justified. Don't let anyone ever convince you otherwise.

You should always be uniquely you to land the job you want! And I agree, don't let anyone ever convince you otherwise! However, there is a surefire way to make sure your confidence works in EVERY situation. Be able to BACK UP your statements with work results...you'll be hired every time.

[Rita Mordio]

Worst advice I've heard - Only people with college educations make good money.

This coming from a college admissions person.

[Crew Chief]

Most recruiters at trucking companies are pretty young women that have never seen the inside of a truck. They sell you the "sizzle and not the steak"...

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

Worst advice I've heard - Only people with college educations make good money.

This coming from a college admissions person.

I have a Master's from the "School of Hard Knocks" and I make really good money!