7 career advice myths

Kraft Foods Inc.

(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY From your parents telling you the early bird gets the worm to that personal branding blog you read just last week, everyone and his brother has advice on how to advance your career.

There are only two problems with that.

First, to say things have changed over the past few decades is a bit of an understatement. What was once conventional wisdom is now laughably outdated. Second, the Internet is full of blogs and tweets designed to rack up clicks by quoting clueless people and bad research.

To help clear up all the nonsense, here's the truth about seven career advice myths that have somehow managed to become conventional wisdom. Don't drink the Kool-Aid.

If you're not an early riser, you're a loser. Granted, the deck is sort of stacked against you, but that doesn't mean you're doomed. I haven't had a coherent thought before noon in decades and somehow managed to have a remarkably successful career. And I'm certainly not alone. Instead of trying to be a zombie drone like everyone else, here are some easy tips on how to succeed when you're not a morning person.

It's not what you know but who you know. This old saying has given more people an excuse to give up on their careers than anything I can think of. Yes, it's true that networking and work relationships are key to your success, but now more than ever, that's entirely up to you. It's your responsibility. If you aren't willing to do the work, don't blame it on anyone else. Also, what you've got going on under the hood means more than anything; it always has.

You need to kiss up to get ahead. I've known hundreds of successful executives and very few got there by kissing up to management and being worthless yes-men. If you know what you're doing, you don't have to kowtow to anyone. Learn how to manage up and how not to manage up, instead. Managing your boss is not the same as kissing his behind. Not even a little.

It's called work for a reason; it's not supposed to be fun. It's true that business is about business; it's certainly not all fun and games. That said, your absolute best chance of having a fulfilling and successful career is by doing what you love or have a passion for. If you dread getting up and going to work in the morning, you're not there yet. Keep looking.

Is 'do what you love' good career advice?
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You need some sort of career coach. Everyone needs mentors and people who inspire us. But to have credibility, to provide guidance and insightful advice, they need to be people who've gone where you would like to go and achieved what you aspire to achieve. By definition, a coach who's paid to guide your life or career isn't that. Don't waste your time and money.

Nice guys finish last. Absolutely untrue, simple as that. Organizations are far more effective at getting things done when people help and support each other in positive ways. In any business interaction, you have a better chance of winning if you're nice to people. All things being equal, nice wins. Incidentally, nice doesn't mean you're a doormat or you're not tough, professional or a strong negotiator. They're not mutually exclusive qualities, so don't confuse them.

Your personal brand is a big deal. This is very confusing to a lot of people, so let me be clear. Look and behave professionally online and in person. Keep your own personal drama out of the workplace and out of your public online presence like LinkedIn (LNKD), Twitter, Facebook or your personal blog. Companies do not hire or promote personal brands. They hire and promote people who can get the job done and won't be a pain in the rear. I don't call that personal branding. I call that common sense. Use it.

[hypnotoad72]

"Companies do not hire or promote personal brands. "

VERY TRUE. They hire people who can do the job. Any promotions or changes in duties depend on a lot of factors, but if it's most profitable for the person to remain pigeonholed, then that's where they stay. Of course, the employee can leave and the company be worse off, but who said we were a structured society? :)

[LuluJammy]

Tobak and JCT both make good, straightforward and clear points. In short, the things you need for a successful career are the same they have always been, but are based on being good at what you do, working hard and not ticking off too many people in the process. Oh, and sheer luck. But I'm a firm believer that you make your own luck, which means that there's no such thing as a quick fix - even a lucky break is often down to sheer hard work and effort on our part in the first place.

Lulu
terbell.co.uk

[SayItComm]

I'm concerned at the poor career advice, especially in regards to having a career coach or the importance of your personal brand. I feel in your effort to be simple and no nonsense, you provide some real misguided information.

There seems to be agreement that each of us needs a mentor and someone who inspires us, but if it involves money, somehow it becomes worthless. I'm am sure in some cases, there are coaches that aren't worth the money, but in many cases a good career coach can help bring the best out of you.

Sure you can loose weight without a personal fitness trainer and you can learn a sport without a coach, but many things in life are greatly impacted by the influence of a good coach. In my opinion, if you desire to win gold in the business olympics, you need a coach. Could you imagine an athlete attempting to go to the Olympics without a coach? Could they do it? I'm sure they could, but who wants to take that kind of risk?

Also, how many of those coaches have won olympic gold medals personally? Very few, right? Yet, they seem to still be able to bring out the heart of a champion in their star athletes. My point? They seem to actually lead that athlete some place they had not gone themselves. Interesting, isn't it? Personally, I value a coach who has accomplished what I am desiring to achieve myself. I like a personal trainer who actually has accomplished the level of fitness I desire. I also feel I learn better from someone who has achieved the sales success I personally seek. That's why I personally like working with clients who can value the achievements I personally have achieved. However, to say I can't learn from someone who hasn't done it, is ignorant.

As for the need for a personal brand. It isn't a matter of if you have a personal brand. Everyone one of us has a brand. We each have a image that is in the hearts and minds of those we interact with on a daily basis. So, your brand is there whether you do anything about it or not. Personal branding is not about having a logo, or starting a blog, rather it is about leveraging your genuine strengths to provide you an advantage in your career. Personal branding is a way to help professionals define that so it is a powerful tool. All of the things you mentioned are all key considerations for building a brand.

I was so disappointed in the poor career advice, I felt a need to speak up. I simply feel it is important to realize many people have not been as fortunate to have had great mentors or people that inspire them in their life. A career coach can meet that need. Rather than tell someone a career coach or personal brand is a waste of their money, maybe it would be better to advise them to do their homework, choose wisely, and verify that it is providing you the results you are expecting. At that point, you can determine the value of that experience. Now....that's good career advice.

BW

[SayItComm]

I'm concerned at the poor career advice, especially in regards to having a career coach or the importance of your personal brand. I feel in your effort to be simple and no nonsense, you provide some real misguided information.

There seems to be agreement that each of us needs a mentor and someone who inspires us, but if it involves money, somehow it becomes worthless. I'm am sure in some cases, there are coaches that aren't worth the money, but in many cases a good career coach can help bring the best out of you.

Sure you can loose weight without a personal fitness trainer and you can learn a sport without a coach, but many things in life are greatly impacted by the influence of a good coach. In my opinion, if you desire to win gold in the business olympics, you need a coach. Could you imagine an athlete attempting to go to the Olympics without a coach? Could they do it? I'm sure they could, but who wants to take that kind of risk?

Also, how many of those coaches have won olympic gold medals personally? Very few, right? Yet, they seem to still be able to bring out the heart of a champion in their star athletes. My point? They seem to actually lead that athlete some place they had not gone themselves. Interesting, isn't it? Personally, I value a coach who has accomplished what I am desiring to achieve myself. I like a personal trainer who actually has accomplished the level of fitness I desire. I also feel I learn better from someone who has achieved the sales success I personally seek. That's why I personally like working with clients who can value the achievements I personally have achieved. However, to say I can't learn from someone who hasn't done it, is ignorant.

As for the need for a personal brand. It isn't a matter of if you have a personal brand. Everyone one of us has a brand. We each have a image that is in the hearts and minds of those we interact with on a daily basis. So, your brand is there whether you do anything about it or not. Personal branding is not about having a logo, or starting a blog, rather it is about leveraging your genuine strengths to provide you an advantage in your career. Personal branding is a way to help professionals define that so it is a powerful tool. All of the things you mentioned are all key considerations for building a brand.

I was so disappointed in the poor career advice, I felt a need to speak up. I simply feel it is important to realize many people have not been as fortunate to have had great mentors or people that inspire them in their life. A career coach can meet that need. Rather than tell someone a career coach or personal brand is a waste of their money, maybe it would be better to advise them to do their homework, choose wisely, and verify that it is providing you the results you are expecting. At that point, you can determine the value of that experience. Now....that's good career advice.

BW

[stobak2]

BW: I appreciate your perspective. Couple of things. While it is difficult to keep things pithy and accurate, I try not to sacrifice the latter for the former. In any case, I'll expand on the issues you raised a bit:

Yes, there are exceptions to every rule. However, when it comes to getting ahead in the workplace, I think experience is the best teacher. Period. Sports coaches are experts in that particular sport. That's how they get to be coaches.

I don't get the "many people have not been as fortunate to have mentors" argument. Seeking out advice from those around you actually teaches initiative and self-reliance. It's a critical first step in getting ahead in life. It's far more effective than a random Google search.

As for life coaching, in my opinion, there's no such thing. Nobody has that figured out better than anyone else. Try getting advice from family and friends and use your own judgement. That'll teach you, over time, what works, what doesn't, and self-reliance. If you're in real trouble, seek professional help. That would be a shrink.

Personal branding is nothing more than a label, a fad. We used to call it reputation. Same thing. I don't need to hire someone to manage my personal brand; likewise for everyone reading this. I think some 20-something guy wrote a book about it; now it's a big deal. It's not. Again, people need to take personal responsibility for what they do online just as they should do in the real world. Same thing. You make mistakes; you learn. Self reliance.

If it makes you feel any better, I feel pretty much the same way about nearly the entire self-help book genre.

ST

[csokol100]

I just love this post! It's witty, funny and doesn't shoot me down because I'm not a morning person. Work is called work for a reason, and nice guys with integrity are still valued. It's nice to hear that message reinforced.

Thanks, Steve

Carolyn Stoll Sokol
PEOcompare.com

[Stevefoxy]

Give Steve (as in Tobak) a break. He has concisely and with authority summarized a group of key career development elements, but not all of them. It does not matter if you don't agree, what counts is your commitment to do the W O R K that is inherent in fostering your future. You don't need to pay someone to assist you, okay! However it has been my experience successful people are willing to pay a reasonable fee to gain an edge. It also is true that successful coaches, trainers, advisers, and facilitators are known to pay others to "sharpen their saw" as Stephen Covey might aver. No money? No problem. Steve Tobak and a host of others who make their living researching, interviewing, sharing, and writing are all over the Web encouraging you to think and act. Here's my challenge to you at which you might scoff (too easy you might say) commit to investing 30 minutes every 168 hours in you alone, by yourself, by, "Thinking, Reading, Writing, Asking Questions, and Filing," (hat tip to Dr. John C. Maxwell) to which I would add a 6th action, "Help others to get what they want." When you make all this a habit, let everyone know, me too! sQs

[JCT606]

The key ingredients for a successful career as told to me in graduate school were as follows:
1) You need to have the ability to do the job.
2) You must have the necessary experience and academic credentials.
3) Timing: You must be in the right place at the right time.
4) An executive who can make a difference in promoting you must be
aware of you.
I have seen things happen for people when these four points are aligned.

JCT