The Worst Advice I Ever Received…

By: Brendan Epps

The worst advice I ever received was that I would have no problem getting a job making a high-paying salary when I separated from the military. It was a case of mismanaged expectations and someone giving advice from his perspective, assuming I shared his background. Advice is often about the end result and, unless the giver has the time/experience to mentor and coach you through the advice, it’s often incomplete; not a bad thing, just something to be aware of.

There was a mismatch about what I didn’t know…not to mention, I didn’t know what I didn’t know:
•My skills did not directly translate to the available jobs as well as his
•He had more experience, higher rank and more desirable talent
•Housing and job markets both collapsed at the same time nationwide which instantly increased job market competition
•He was commuting for the week across several states, home on the weekends

Based on the advice I received and what I didn’t know, I took my time looking for work, thinking it’d be a piece of cake. Little did I know what was on the horizon. That the job market would be drying up, for everyone.

Over time, I learned that the “worst” part of the advice had less to do with the advice or the giver and more to do with me. I wasn’t mindful about the advice or my approach. He told me I shouldn’t have a problem finding a job, but he assumed I would do my diligence and actively look for work, using my network I had formed in my previous job to help me. I did neither, and by the time I needed the job, I struggled to find work and took the first thing that came along; which wasn’t a good fit.

I tell that story when giving career counseling to frame expectations that (1) My feedback will be from my perspective and (2) you owe yourself to engage in your career, regardless of the advice I give.

What I thought was the worse advice I ever received has been one of the more lasting and beneficial learning experiences. For you, dear reader, whether it’s advice at the YMCA from someone “helping” you with your form or career advice, be mindful with that advice. Consider the relevance (does this actually apply to me). Consider the source and mismatches in experience (does this person have more/less experience than me). Lastly, perhaps most importantly, understand what you need to do in the background to make it happen.