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Whether you're at the top of your career game or just starting out - somewhere along the way you have probably asked someone older, wiser or just with more experience for some advice. Sometimes we receive advice from a mentor that becomes gospel we will pass on to others we meet - or in the case of the people on this list - advice that could have or did hurt instead of help.

Adam Grant, a psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, asked Twitter: "What's the worst career advice you've ever received?" and shared his top three worst nuggets to start it off. Turns out he's not the only one, people hopped on the thread and shared some painfully bad career tips - even Monica Lewinsky responded and we all know how that went. Scroll down to check them out and don't forget to upvote your favs!

Image credits: AdamMGrant

#1

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Turnip and a Frog
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one still resonates with me. I’ve seen Monica Lewinsky’s TED and her interview with John Oliver, and especially the former one has had a powerful effect on me. I see now that how she was treated by the press, politicians, even her friend was brutal. Especially that she was in her 20’s then. Whatever you say about her, maybe it was love, perhaps infatuation, vanity trip or plain ignorance - she just did not deserve the bullying.

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Not everyone is blessed to have a mentor to give them sound career advice so below are some tips from the masters. From Forbes Agency Council members to CEOs of the biggest corporations, here are some words of wisdom they have shared over the years. The first comes from Karen Wickre, former editorial leader at Google and Twitter, who told Business Insider: "I didn't get this advice, but I learned it by doing, and now it's what I tell others: Always be building your brain trust. This is the web of contacts you can call on when you have questions or need expertise beyond yours."

#2

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Falcon
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a person who works in the field where you can't drop everything when the clock hits 5 pm, I totally agree with what she says. Work reasonably, if one day you have to work until 8,take some time off the next day, that's how me and my co-worker do it and our boss understands it, it's so easy to burn out. No job is important enough to run yourself into the ground.

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It's hard not to get disheartened when someone rejects your idea. Freelance writer and New York Times bestselling author, Sara Bliss, says she received invaluable advice from Tony Freund who was a staff writer for Town & Country magazine, that has helped her defeat this mindset. "If an editor rejects an idea, do not scrap it. Instead, he suggested refining and repitching it to the same editor or trying a new one.

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Laura Zappenduster
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How long will it take, till everyone get´s that girls and boys can do anything they want to?

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Luis Milian
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

depends on the boss, but never think that a boss is going to share their wealth with you for no other reason than hard work. at the end of each day, every boss can replace you for someone else who is a "hard worker"

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You might think that showing off your mental prowess is the key to impressing everyone at your job - but sometimes acting like a know-it-all can hinder you. Said Jacob Hanson, PR with Panache! to Forbes: "Oftentimes, leaders feel that they need to be the "smartest guy or gal" in the room, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Good leaders are the smartest one in the room, great leaders surround themselves with smarter people that will challenge ideas, bring new perspectives to the table and drive innovation.

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At 26? That's infuriating. I mean, people are 30 and still in university out there. That headhunter knew no reality or was just lying.

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We've all had those days when we feel overwhelmed as if the work keeps stacking up - well Nicole Rodrigues, NRPR Group, LLC said to Forbes embrace it. "I was told by a mentor very early on that I should never complain when there’s a lot of work to do. I agree and tell my team the same thing. Be thankful there’s work to do. When something becomes easy or routine, it’s a clear sign you’re not growing."

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Podunkus
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a notorious cognitive bias known as the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” exercising its powerful grip. By all means, do cut and run when the alarm bells go off in your head.

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It's great to get career advice from people you admire but in the end, you should make sure you're the one in control of your destiny. Said Gina Michnowicz, Union+Webster to Forbes: "One of my mentors always said don't let others manage your career because you will be unhappy with the results. What he meant by management is focusing on what skills and experiences you need to ultimately be in your dream job. I managed my moves carefully, making sure that I built the right skills to be a CEO. In the end, he was right and I am happy with the outcome."

#11

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not counter-intuitive at all. I know tons of people who loved their hobbies so much they started a business. They were plenty successful, but unhappy and started to hate what they used to love. Not saying it will be that way for everyone. Maybe you will be different. Me? I learned the hard way.

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Podunkus
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m upvoting this one just for the sheer, twisted stupidity of that advice. If you want to go to Nursing School, then make it happen.

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one really depends on the workplace. My first work environment was friendly on the outside, toxic on the inside (took me a while, to realise that, always thought the problem was me). My now workplace is really friendly and I made actual friends here, and, oh my, I can feel the difference.

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Kathy Baylis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That generally comes from the ones who fear new ideas, because they know they won’t be able to keep up, and will risk looking bad and losing their place as the “indispensable” person in the office who thinks the whole company will just fall apart if they’re not there. It never does, but you’ll come across a load of these people in your career.

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes people can be so blind. Once you set a wall of should-be's in your brain, it's really hard to see.

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Catlady6000
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soooo, does long hair somehow affect ability? Is short hair a requirement for some obscure reason?

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E FourOFour
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For this advice it's usually aimed at managers. A lot of people have general problems with authority so if you moved up and became a manager, it's difficult to maintain the same friendship you had as coworkers. If you give your friend any kind of break or a special project that could be seen as "fun" then you are showing favoritism.

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#19

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because they're in the teaching profession doesn't mean they will be supportive of your dreams. You do you. To hell with anyone who says you can't be you.

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Analyn Lahr
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, I can't afford to quit till I have another one lined up.

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Minnie-me
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sensing this is coming from a woman with a wealthy partner/family who can carry her butt till she found her next job

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Starbelly Eleven
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with this. Not only is this unrealistic for most people, but it looks terrible on your resume. Blank spots on resumes are questionable and will make you less competitive.

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Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But be damn sure you explain those gaps on your resume! Otherwise, when you finally start jobhunting, it’ll look like you have been fired from, or can’t commit to, a job.

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Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl)
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg. How can anyone afford to just jump ship without an income!? If I did this, I'd lose my house.

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L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would agree if others didn't depend on me for food and shelter...this is very situational dependent

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Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats a good advice, unless you are one of lucky few that have a fallback.

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Lola
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend had a gap of one month in his resume because he quit his old job and found a new one a month later. A lot of the interviews he went to, he was asked what happened during that time and why wasn’t he employed. It is a vicious world out there.

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Rachael Kennedy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ive had to be in the position of leaving bc I had my hours cut from 40 a week to 16- 20 .. didnt have a job lined up one time took a week and last time took ovr a year to find something (1000s applying for what jobs are on offer and wasnt looking for part time / casual or temp ..) wasnt easy but wasnt worth staying esp when ya paid tax on the s****y hours ya did get .. last job most of us walked even most managers think only 3 out of 20 ppl stayed ......

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Giacomo Arosio
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that "its terrible for your resume" explain really really well why our world and or better said "this system" is f****d up. And I'm not saying it's. Or the true, but that we serially have to rethink lots of things

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#21

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ehhh.... Creepy indeed, but! If you bake and bring cookies for everyone at work, they'll like you regardless of age, gender and work position! Because cookies. ♥

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#23

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me see... I recall quite a few facial hairs on more than a couple of very successful people. I absolutely loathe people who let their ignorance and racism shine.

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#24

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Risky? What's risky? Oh wait... I get it now. Someone explain to them that "mentor" is not a sexual thing like slapping a backside. Geniuses. I'm surrounded by brain surgeons in search of a brain to call their own. LOL. Damn straight it's hogwash!

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it all the time. I also see it constantly. Good for you! Another victory for critical thinking! Critical thinkers don't get Darwin Awards.

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh. Good old critical thinking. I really miss the days when everyone possessed it. Did you know it's on the endangered species list? But hey, look at who we have as president!

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#28

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Lizard Queen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like to see the ratio of men to women who have heard this advice. I'd bet more women are told this c**p.

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! I've gotten the opposite career advice. I mean, "we", it was something a professor told the class. Something like "do not stay at the same workplace for 10 years / do not accept a 10 year contract - it's a waste of life, you have to gain various kinds of experience." I think, in the end, it all depends on the individual and the job(s) they do.

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#30

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Podunkus
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can turn your avocation into a vocation, more power to you! Just don’t end up a 30-something living in your Mom’s basement.

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#32

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told my math skills were so poor I would never be able to work in computer industry. Wrong. Glad I never listened.

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Marcellus the Third
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that as "don't waste your time educating... fellows, NPC's,..." which made me think "well of course not". Hm.

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great advice if you are in a fox hole. Bad advice for the workplace.

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ilikeplants
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this was good advice at one point in time (60s, 70s, maybe even into the 80s), because that was all I heard from older generations when I was applying to colleges - "It doesn't matter what your degree is in. As long as you have a degree, you'll be able to get a job." But that hasn't been the case for a long time now.

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#40

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Nichole Kae
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in a call center. I’ve seen 3 people get transferred the entire 4 years I’ve been there. (It’s convenient with my school schedule otherwise I’d be looking for a new job myself.)

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Kiss Army
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put in for a promotion at work and my sister (who works at the same place) told me not to get my hopes up because I had not worked here long enough and much more experienced people applied. She also told this to my whole family and my parents told me not to be disappointed if I don't get it. I was going to withdraw from the interviews but my husband said "Screw them, you are good enough! Go for it!" I did and I got the job! My whole family was shocked that I got it and I decided then and there to follow my dreams no matter how much of a "long shot" they might be.

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Jenny Bryl
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad was the opposite. He had his own business and encouraged us to do the same.

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athornedrose
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well i don't think you have to accept it, but i do think you have to recognize that sometimes the reason you're not promoted, not making what you should be, not ontime, etc isn't because you're not doing your best. you can work as hard and well as possible, and still be blocked by someone with more resources than you, whether those resources are money or power or seniority. you don't have to accept it, you should leave or fight back or something, but you do have to recognize it so you don't doubt your own worth/knowledge/experience

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