There is so much false or outdated information when it comes to careers which if you believe can really put a halt on your progression. Here are some of the myths that you should completely ignore if you want to have a successful career.
You have to match all of the job requirement points to be able to apply
So you find a perfect job, but when you look at the person specification, you see that you tick almost all the boxes but not quite every single one. This puts a lot of potential applicants off sending their resume in, but it shouldn’t do. If you meet most of the vital skills and you genuinely feel that you could do the job well, you should still apply. Quite often the perfect applicant doesn’t exist, and employers need to adjust their expectations – you could be ideal!
Only follow your passion
Sure, it sounds great. After all ‘do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’ right? Well, that is not always the case. Sometimes, if you take the one hobby you love and turn it into your job, you could end up with a job that stresses you out, and no longer enjoy the thing you used to really enjoy. Having a job you love doesn’t have to involve your passion, which means you can be happy with a job you enjoy as well as a hobby that love to do in your spare time,
Leadership skills will develop naturally over time
It is a myth that when the time comes, you will automatically gain managerial skills. If you don’t already have the ability to lead or are not trying to develop those skills, they will not just magically appear when you get a promotion. Leadership skills do not appear overnight, they take a lot of nurturing and practicing, and there are professional-development courses that you might find useful. Don’t wait for these skills to just happen, if you want them, work on them.
You can’t quit before two-years in the job
There is a theory that says you must stay at a job for at least two years, otherwise it will be hard to find a new position as you will look flighty. This is an outdated concept. Whereas our parents stayed in the same career their whole lives, we are now more likely to have several jobs with short tenures. Whether you are unhappy with your job or just feel that you want to look for something else, don’t feel that you have to wait until you have been there for two years.
If you stay late, you will get promoted
You may think that if your boss sees you staying late every night, you will be a shoe-in for a promotion but that isn’t necessarily the case. Spending time at your desk just for face time is not how you become successful. Your boss cares a lot more about results than how often you stay late. Show that you can do your standard hours but still do exceptional work. Show efficiency and impress your boss with your accomplishments.
These five myths may have been holding you back in your career progression. Don’t let them do this anymore! If you want a promotion, go for it! Ignore these myths and see how far you can go.
