Dispelling Career Myths

Every day I have the privilege of speaking to qualified candidates.  Over the course of our conversation, I hear about their goals and ambitions – their 5 year plan, a targeted promotion, where they’d like to live.  But they also tell me their fears and challenges – ones that may keep them from achieving what they really want and deserve.

Thankfully, more often that not, those fears are rooted in non-truths, myths they’ve heard and been led to believe along the way.  For their benefit, and yours, once each week over the next few months, I will tackle one of these myths in hopes that you will be inspired to take a risk and make the leap to a truly satisfying and worthwhile career.

Ready?  Here we go:

1. You shouldn’t work for your competitor.

FALSE – Yes, you should and here’s why: You are an expert in your field, your experience is golden, and your ramp-up time is short. That means incredible negotiating power for you and quick success for a potential employer.

Plus, your customers trust to buy from you. If you truly believe you can offer them something better, they will follow you. Just look at the executives on LinkedIn…every VP out there has worked for multiple competitors in the industry.

The notion that you can’t work for a competitor is just outdated and, frankly, obsolete! If you want true happiness in your career, contact us!

2. You need to stay in your current job longer than 3 years.

FALSE – The most important thing you can do for your career is to review it frequently – contemplate it, challenge it. We aren’t encouraging ‘job hopping’, but if you truly are an expert in your field, a few years in a role is sufficient experience to move onwards and upwards.
I hope this message inspires all of you to have that (probably) long overdue and much-needed discussion with your CEO or Manager for a raise or a promotion. If you didn’t get it – call us!
3. My “non-compete”’ means I can’t work for a competitor.
FALSE – A non-compete agreement is not a deal-breaker. First, check to see if you work in a “right to work” state where a non-competes would most likely not hold up.
If you are operating under a non-compete agreement, it’s important to let a potential employer review it as you enter the recruitment/interview process.  All companies have legal teams that are well-versed in the language and can let you know if it’s an issue or not. With the right leverage, a new employer will support you if your former company decides to pursue something once you come on board.
Lastly, no one can stop you from earning a living in your area of livelihood. Bottom line, non-competes do not stop you from working for your competition.

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