BEWARE: Not all career advice is great advice, even if you do trust the person who gives it.

Have you ever gotten career advice that sounded great at the time, but in hindsight has led to a “WHAT WAS I THINKING?” moment.

Actually, the clue’s in that question “what was I thinking?” because the answer is I wasn’t.

I made a shortcut decision about my career, because:

a) I did not know that I needed to think more deeply about a career direction.

b) I did not know the thought process to go through to make a solid decision about what I should do.

c) I did not know that a career could have personal meaning to me, and that I could make a difference with what I chose to do. So I did not take this decision making process seriously enough.

So, this is my story of how I trusted the judgment of a close family friend, who gave me some well meaning advice – but not the advice I needed.

Now in no way am I pointing fingers at that family friend, blaming them for MY decision.

They offered me the advice with only the best of intentions.

So here’s my story of “bad” career advice.

I hope you find it useful as a guide for finding out what you could do.

If you’re looking for a way to make better decisions about what you could do with your career, check out my Straight to Shortlist Challenge.