Many people, including very successful professionals, hold on to misconceptions about how to achieve career success. Many believe, incorrectly so, that there is only one path to achieve career happiness or find "career nirvana".
If you are struggling with career choices or looking for a job, you might be the recipient of a lot of "free", well-intentioned career advice from people who are themselves gainfully employed. Think carefully about acting on some of the career advice you receive since it may be based in myth and not in reality.
To be successful, you must explore and debunk any career myths or perceptions that could hold you back. As Olivia Crosby says in an article for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Don't be a victim to your own misconceptions."
Myth 1
There is only one perfect career out there waiting for me. This is not true. Just as there is no one right way to write a resume, there are multiple options for career happiness. Recognizing this fundamental fact can lower personal stress and leave you open to options not previously considered.
Myth 2
Sticking with the same career for life will show commitment. Not necessarily. A potential employer could see it as a fear of learning new things and an unwillingness to grow professionally.
Myth 3
I have to stick to what I studied in college to build a career. No you do not. There is a distinct difference between selecting a college major and building a career. An overwhelming majority of college majors can lead to multiple careers.
Myth 4
Only experiences and competencies gained through paid employment are important to determining what I do next. Definitely not. Skills developed through both personal and professional experiences can become the basis for future career options.
Myth 5
New training or education is only for young people and for full time students. Did you know that the average age of a community college student is 29 and that 80% are employed?
Myth 6
Work life balance is a myth; I have to choose between being happy in a career and having a family. The workplace has evolved. More employers recognize the value of offering flexibility to workers and are increasingly supportive of the work life balance of employees.
Myth 7
I should be looking for a "safe" industry with job security. Don't be fooled. Workers are let go, downsized and furloughed from so-called recession-proof industries such as healthcare, education or government all the time.
7 Career Myths That Could Stall a Career!
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I agree with a lot of these myths. I thought my job was secure as a case administrator for the bankruptcy courts. After working for the courts for 26 years, my job was abolished due to budget cuts. Because I was with the courts for so long, I feel lost and am a little scared about changing careers. Also, it is hard to find employment without taking a 50% salary cut. I really liked my job, but I feel we sometimes become to comfortable with our surroundings. We should always keep our options open. -
Darlene •I enjoyed this article. I found the myths to be true. I would like to see an article about how older displaced workers can get a job. I have applied for part-time jobs and can't even get hired for part-time jobs.
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Allen T •I agree wholeheartedly with each of these myths. . . perhaps there should also be one about age and/or Gender. I am currently looking for employment and it seems to be a focus toward youth vs age.
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Ageism is rife particularly when you are in healthcare where the pay-scale is adjusted to years of experience Like any business the younger and less experienced have a greater chance of securing employment. Most jobs posted request <1 -3 years experience unless its in the field of management, then they require and MBA. I have witnessed the difficulties younger nurses have today, to diversify in their careers as each posting will require experience in the area they apply for. You can get trapped in one niche area. This is a definite change where in the past you could transfer more readily and gain extensive experience over a broad range of specialities. I feel a great resume and cover letter can go some way to getting an interview but the best way to get an interview still remains with who you know and can recommend you.
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Sally V •I have been in and out of work for about 4 years now and am really sick and tired of the same old stuff!!!! I am 53 and have excellent customer service skills and have been told to train others that way!!!! I am so tired of looking for work and getting more and more depressed and broke over the whole thing! I am losing my house and hopefully find employment soon, with no where to go at this time. My college certificate in Sales and Marketing is outdated, although I aced it 11 years ago. I will do almost anything to find good work. Last year I even applied at McDonald's and never got a call, and other companies say that I am over qualified! HELP!!!!! I have a good resume and worked for some large companies.
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Alan H •Yes there is nothing entirely recession proof but I do not see the teaching system or the government going out of business either. In general terms the healthcare field is booming thanks to technology advancements and the growing population of needy people refer to demographics of the baby boom as a current example. IN these times it would appear that healthcare is a viable choice as there is job growth there and sure any one can get fired or let go but if the industry has lots of jobs so what. I do say I do not have that overall answer and I do not see it here either as I have been looking for some time. For me I have started my own business I am not waiting for another business any longer. They can start waiting for me.
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Linda G •This was an informative article. I will use some it to revamp my resume' and portfolio
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La Tonya M •So glad I stopped and read this ;)
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Diana W •Very good affirmation of what we have known under the surface. What I would like to know is what is going on in the departments of Human Resources and with the nurse recruiters. What makes a computer application wind up in the slush pile and why? I have developed financial and productivity excel tools which have been successful for administrative decision support; but I can't use a snip it of the way the spreadsheet looks in my on line application. For case management and utilization review as well as health nurse position openings there has been no way to show my work. what would you suggest? I helped design an operating room computer software system and their is no way to "spot light" this accomplishment!
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Alba G •awesome advise
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Stephanie M •I agree with everyone one of the myths
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Mary H •The article was very informative for the young job seekers, It would have been more informative if the seasoned job seekers had been included. Because of age dicrimination it is very difficult to get an enterview if you are in the 50+age group. I think that the aged generation could be a great asset to an organization because they have experience,good work ethics,dependabilty in some cases no benefit package is required which would increased the organziation"s bottom line .. Thanks
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Tamara B •I appreciate this article and need all the encouragement I can get. I have felt most of the myths listed here to be truth. I am in the process of having a change of mind set in order to pull me up from being displaced where I am at now. Thank You
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Jennifer E •It's true that furthering your education is just for young people and that having to choose a "life" career over family and real happiness within a job you like are just myths. As is having a safety net in recession proof industries. I have 3 certificates for careers I have, and to some degree still do enjoy doing, and graduated from a college in my late 30's. I also know that many companies that have survived the recession, have only because they have moved several of their employees positions to countries "off-shore" (i.e. India, Japan, China, etc). I have known several people who work with Healthcare professionals (some in the technological field, others in non-technical positions) who have lost their jobs due to positions and income being shipped over seas - most in "at will" states. At-will basically means the company doesn't have to have a reason to let you go... Many companies who are in at will states also have a "follow-the-sun" attitude, which means that employees in other countries who can work during hours that are normally dark in the U.S., are also cheaper to hire (especially if they have lots of religious / beliefs that require them to not work certain days). One of the reasons that I am unemployed is due to not having continued my education after graduating with a certificate, which at the time of my graduation (2007) was equivalent to that of an "AA" degree, and several private companies and schools now (for quite a time) have been requiring Bachelor / Master of the Arts / Science, along with x amount of volunteer /experience hours of service, and not necessarily equivalent to the B/M or A/S degree(s) - offering less than or "at" economic pay scales for the area /community for which an applicant is applying. The old saying "just apply" doesn't matter as much as it used to. Another issue is that my employment history represents a miniature novel in the making... Which can cause many perspective employers to ask if I am a "job jumper," insecure with my job(s)/career choices, or worse unreliable. When I answer I try to be positive about why I left, or explain that at the time I wasn't qualified for a position I was hired / contracted to do / fill, or in one other case I was attending school full-time and had full-time homework which left me little time for working with/at one of the two companies I had been working for/with. Another piece of positive information I learned recently, is that when asked what skills I have, to place some of my hobbies in that section - especially if the job I am applying for, that hobby (ies) would be beneficial to the perspective position.
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Lynn N •Good and useful info. I try to read everything I can about job hunting, resumes, etc. I think reading and educating yourself is a positive thing...and will be helpful - somewhere, sometime! I try to soak up as much info as I can...
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Jane d •good advice
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John H •Having a good resume is good and all but, in my case the best resumeI can come up with can't outweigh the fact that I'm a convicted felonand employers don't want anybody with a record.
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Misty S •I've now been working as an RN for 21 years. My love of nursing is ER, and trauma. On my off days i would cross train any and every dept i could. I worked prn Hospice and Home Health, on a psychiatric unit, flight nursing, marketing, education, case management, House Supervisor, and more. I loved nursing and wanted to experience everything i could not realizing that now, age 40, this diversity will land me almost any job, even without a MS degree behind my name. I recently interviewed for a flexi float RN job, my base pay per hour is 44/hr, and in addition im paid for each year of experience. Just some advice to new nurses. If you love nursing, and love change. Being diversital is a huge plus!
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Nancy S •I need ideas on how to expand my job search. I've done medical transcription, nursing, waitressing. Like young children and they like me. I'm interested in them. I need help writing a resume.
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The comments made on this page are very informative and are also true of so many situations.Thanks
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Lissette R •Good article, good information!
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Rosemary W •The information on this article is very helpful. I enjoyed reading this informaion as search for my next job.
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Leah F •Good article. #3 so true. I have a BA in English and planned to write a book. I ended up in marketing and operations (healthcare)and still waiting for the book!#7 happened to me - I am looking to transfer my years of operational and people experience to another career opportunity and thinking about all the things I could write about....
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Alexandra O •Good points. Would have liked to see the "mature worker"fact or myth addressed! Thank you, for the points that you did make.
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Sandra W •Since I was last downsized, I've run my own direct-sales business, as well as worked part time. It's been hard to find full-time employment after working part time for five and a half years and only having an associate's degree doesn't really help. I've been looking outside of my normal target area (the arts) and at areas that I didn't consider before.
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