The best career advice you'll ever get

"One word ... Plastics" / "The Graduate"/MGM

(MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY Perhaps the most distinctive American quality is that never-ending quest for opportunity. Whether the economy is up or down, there's never a shortage of optimistic opportunists around.

If you happen to be looking for a job or promotion, however, a down economy can be more than a little demoralizing. It can be downright depressing. Maybe the worst thing about it is all the advice that never seems to work or apply to you.

It's the sad truth, but most career advice is ineffective for one of three reasons:

It's out of your immediate control - like your experience, capability or attributes.

It's widely known or available, like networking on LinkedIn; there's no advantage if everybody's doing it.

It's trite, impractical or simply untrue, like most of the personal branding and interview advice all over the blogosphere.

So, I thought I'd take a page from my own career playbook and clue you in on the one eminently practical piece of advice that helped lots of people I know, including me, to land great jobs, get big promotions and advance our careers. What's more, this advice is timeless and within everyone's control. That's right - anyone can do it.

All you've got to do is this: Be willing to relocate, commute or travel. Okay, there's a little more to it than that, which we'll get to in a minute. But still, that's the general idea. And sometimes you can delay relocation until you've had enough time to decide if it's what you really want to do. That's what planes are for.

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You see, for six jobs spanning the first 17 years of my career I either relocated or commuted long distances, even halfway across the country. That took my career all the way from engineer to vice president of a Fortune 500 company. Without geographic flexibility, none of that would have happened. No kidding.

This may sound strange, but the way to get ahead in this world is both easier and harder than you might think. It's easier because what really works is actually far more straightforward and in your control than you realize. It's also harder because advancing your career in the real world always takes work and sacrifice.

But if you're willing to do that -- work hard and sacrifice -- you're in reasonably good shape because most of your competitors aren't. They're all looking for quick, easy fixes that don't exist and reading all that dopey advice that doesn't work.

In terms of actually positioning yourself and answering questions so you appear flexible and don't inadvertently lock yourself out of all sorts of great opportunities, the most important thing you need to know is this: Just say, "Sure, no problem" to everything. That's the key.

Most people don't realize this, but if you're interested in a job or promotion, your first and only priority is to get an offer. Once you have that in hand, then you can negotiate or decide if that's what you really want to do. These days, if you sound like you're going to be a problem or you don't sound like you're absolutely committed, you'll get chopped.

So just say yes to everything. No complaints, caveats, explanations, ifs, ands or buts. Don't talk about your spouse's job, your kid's school, your home or the cost. There'll be time for that later. Just keep saying, "Sure, no problem."

When you've hooked them and they're actually offering you the job, that's when it's time to tell them what you need from them if they want to get you. That's also the time for you to find out if you've really got to relocate or maybe they'll let you commute for a while and see how it goes.

Sometimes the company will cover your expenses, sometimes they won't. Sometimes they'll give you a lump sum and then it's up to you to manage it. The bottom line is this: If it's a job you really want that will advance your career, you should take it and take on the hardships. It'll be worth it in the long run.

One more thing. If you're seriously looking to land a job in another state or country and you are actually willing to relocate, then get a local phone number and address and put that on your resume, LinkedIn account and anywhere else you have an internet presence.

Don't hesitate, just do it. In a tough job market like this one, unless you are someone or have something they really want, an out-of-town address will land your resume in the round file, if you know what I mean.

[SDaigneault]

maybe the best career advice, if all you care about is a job. but that's not necessarily the best advice for you if you're a human being, and have admirably prioritized loved ones and more meaningful endeavors. don't get me wrong, i love my job and have sacrificed for it, but there's a line. don't be that guy that is on his death bed, looking back, regretting all the decisions he made to further his career while the rest of his life passed by.

[thetruth59]

I was about to send this article to my son who is working toward his MBA, but the last 2 paragraphs turned me off. Lying about where you're located is just plain lying. It would turn me off as an employer once I found it wasn't true. Stupid advice if you ask me.

[mbstone]

This post just isn't realistic. Every day I get job inquiries from Whistlestopville. They expect I should just reach into my big nonexistent bucket full of money and absorb the very, very substantial costs of travel and relocation. Few employers offer relocation reimbursement anymore. Unless you are 25, single, and all your belongings fit in a backpack, self-financed relocation just isn't practicable.

And when the job ends you are stuck in Whistlestopville.

[indianatanner]

I made a cross country move to Whistlestopville late last year. Nearest airport, two hours away. The new position is challenging and a decent pay increase.

Since I have been effective, I don't consider myself "stuck" in Whistlestopville. I've increased my skills and experience; if I choose to pursue another opportunity I can say, been there, done that with success.

Relocating is tough. Very tough. Leaving family, friends and colleagues is hard. The internet and phones helps, but not that much. In this case, you are putting career ahead of personal life. That is not a choice many will make.

It is a choice valued by the corporate world. Those employees are rare, and command a premium.

I am not young, mid-fifties. I received relocation expenses. This does not disprove your contentions, just provides a data point that falls outside of your predictions.

Every person is different. I am at a time of my life where I need new challenges, even if they mean some sacrifices.

[ludvig1-2009]

Plastics and leave Mrs. Robinson alone.

[johnlockesghost]

Yeah, well you see what Steve did was become a consultant because that's where the money is. Of course to do so, you need to be highly skilled in your field, but if you are, don't waste your time with a hoakey old job where your skills make your digbat bosses rich, make them beg for your help so that you become rich.

[stobak2]

I actually worked my tail off and climbed the high-tech corporate ladder for 23 years because that's where the money is. I started my own consulting firm 9 years ago because I wanted to help more companies than just one -- and I wanted to write and share my knowledge and experience with everyone. Believe me, I made far more as a corporate executive.

ST

[Winelover6]

Steve, I couldn't agree more. Don't impose and stipulations or requirements until you get the offer. At that point, you are in a much better position to negotiate what you need.