11 work experts on the ‘classic’ career advice you should always ignore

When it comes to career dilemmas, we’ll often turn to the people in our lives for advice. After all, support and guidance from those around us can be invaluable, particularly if they have previous experience of the issue at hand. But not all advice is created equal, even if it’s offered with the best of intentions.

While tips about looking out for potential red flags during the interview phase can be handy, some popular ‘suggestions’ can do more harm than good when it comes to your career.

From when to quit a job that isn’t working to whether you should really make friends with your colleagues, we asked 11 work experts to share the one piece of ‘classic’ career advice they think should be ignored. This is what they said.

“Don’t leave a job you’ve been in for less than a year”

“Whether the role itself isn’t what you thought it would be or the company culture doesn’t align with your values, sticking it out when you know it isn’t right is not the answer,” says Jessica Brewer, career expert at Emiz HR. “This can be such a destructive piece of advice: staying in an environment that isn’t right for you can become a toxic situation that can take such a toll on your confidence, which can make getting that next role even harder. It can have a long-lasting impact on your career as you feel less capable. Instead, career gaps or short stints can be easily explained in a covering letter, and having a candidate that knows themselves and what they do and don’t want can be more attractive to potential employers.”

“It’s all about who you know”

“Obviously networking is valuable but this is about genuine connections not just going to empty networking meetings,” says Sophie Attwood, PR agency founder and author of Beautiful PR: Finding Your Brand’s Heartbeat For Authenticity In Communication. “Good working relationships are all built on trust and authenticity – simply knowing the right people isn’t enough. People may open doors for you, but consistent results and a reputation for integrity are what keep those doors open.”

“Only apply for jobs you meet all the criteria for”

“When you’re job-hunting, resist the urge to get too fixated on ticking specific boxes rather than thinking about experience and skills you’ve developed from a different type of role,” adds Jo Marks of Artemis Recruitment. “Often employers appreciate the thought process behind an application and will look at someone’s explanation of why and how their transferable skills can be applied.”

“Don’t make friends with people at work”

“People are often told they should keep things strictly professional with their colleagues, but it’s natural that the friends you make at work can end up becoming really important parts of your life,” says Sophie O’Brien, founder of Pollen Careers. “Not only is it nice to get on well with your co-workers, it can be beneficial for businesses too. Nurturing authentic workplace relationships  can encourage creativity and innovation and it helps teams to build empathy and emotional intelligence.”

“You have to take every promotion”

“Traditionally, promotions are seen as the ultimate sign of career success, but not every promotion will align with your long-term goals,” explains James Lloyd-Townshend, chairman and CEO of Tenth Revolution Group. “Accepting a higher position that doesn’t suit your skills or interests can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. In some cases, staying in your current role or making a lateral move to build expertise is the better option.”

“Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life”

“Whenever we are going through big changes, development periods or even difficult periods, there can often be the idea that you have chosen the wrong career as it shouldn’t be hard,” says Wendy O’Beirne, The Completion Coach. “But even the best job will come with challenges – that is completely normal.”

“Stay loyal to your employer and they’ll stay loyal to you”

“Despite life-long loyalty to a company once being touted as the holy grail in career progression, this outdated advice should be taken with a grain of salt; it’s now equally important for candidates to know when it’s time for a new challenge,” says Jessica Timelin, senior director at Michael Page. “Some may be hesitant to explore new opportunities for fear of being labelled a ‘job-hopper’, but often a hiring manager will look favourably upon those who have proactively stepped outside of their comfort zone and expanded their skillset – with an important caveat. Frequently moving roles prematurely can raise some concerns, so it’s important to find the right time when you feel you’ve reached the goals you set for that particular role, or perhaps exhausted your opportunities within the company.

“When timed correctly, a job hop can build your experience, enhance your skills and create a more appealing CV for future employers. Just be sure that this next step aligns with your overall career goals as well.”

“Never say no to an opportunity”

“You don’t have to say yes to every new project, request or role,” says Lucy Bisset, director of Robert Walters North. “While it is important to be open to new opportunities, adopting a ‘yes’ attitude in every situation can quickly lead to burnout. Of course, you are expected to take on the things that fall under the normal remit of your role – but it’s a big career red flag if you are consistently having new things put on your to-do list without having a say in the matter. Remember, you are your greatest advocate, so if you feel like things are getting on top of you, speak to your line manager and don’t be afraid to push back.”

“Fake it till you make it”

“Worst advice ever,” says Charlie O’Brien, head of people at Breathe HR. “If you’re not open about what you do and don’t know, you’ll break trust with clients and colleagues – and trust is everything. Also, the likelihood is that eventually you’ll get found out, which will knock your confidence. Instead, I’d suggest clearly communicating what you’re good at and your aspirations for what you’d like to learn. This will lead to closer relationships with colleagues, more effective delegation and continuous learning for all. It will also empower colleagues to follow your lead in being honest and genuine at work.”

“Keep your head down and work hard”

Although being invisible is not a virtue, diligence is,” says Anna Petosa, people operations executive and HR expert at Swag Drop. “Being the silent achiever is not enough in the fast-paced workplace of today: the true game-changers are relationship and networking-building. A good company should promote an environment where voicing your opinions and highlighting your contributions are just as important as the actual work. I’ve seen colleagues rise by participating, offering their views and making their presence known – not by working in the shadows.”

“Hide your career gaps”

“If you took time off for travel, extended maternity leave or any other personal reason, don’t feel the need to hide or be embarrassed about it,” explains Ashley Rudd, director of Moda PR. “These gaps can highlight valuable transferable skills. You can build rapport with potential employers and travelling often develops adaptability, cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills, plus these experiences can demonstrate your ability to handle diverse environments and challenges. Embrace these gaps as a part of your career journey and leverage the skills you’ve gained during this period – I think they add depth and character to your professional profile.”