Top Career Mistruths We’ve All Heard

Navigating your career can feel like you're wading through a sea of advice, expectations, and so-called absolute truths. From my own journey, I’ve realized that some of the most accepted career advice can be misleading or at least limiting. Let me share with you the top career mistruths I‘ve been told but have found out, weren’t necessarily true.

#1: Your Career Path Should Only Move Upward

People often say that career success means climbing the corporate ladder, taking on more responsibility, and managing larger teams. But let me tell you, that’s not always true. I became a manager and, after a few years, decided to go back to being an individual contributor (IC).

Why did I do that? Once, it was to work for a leader I really trusted and respected. Another time, I wanted a better work-life balance and needed to get out of a toxic corporate culture. These decisions might seem counterintuitive, but they are what I needed led at that time. I learned that success isn't about the size of your team; it's about the value and joy your work brings you.

#2: Stepping Back from Management Will Kill Your Career

There’s a common belief that stepping back from a managerial role will ruin your career prospects. Not true at all! After I took a step back from managing, I worked on a contract basis as an IC, and later, I was hired as a senior manager with more responsibility than I ever had.

When that role was moved across the country and I was laid off, I got a chance to work in digital marketing and optimization as an individual contributor again. Three years later, I landed a Senior Manager role in marketing. I feel the choices I made enriched my skills and changed my perspective and it made more valuable. Employers saw my non-linear career path as a strength, not a weakness. It’s proof that careers don’t need to follow a straight upward path to be successful.

#3: If a Company Offers You More Money Than the Industry Standard, Beware

People often say that if a company offers you a salary way above the industry standard, it’s a red flag. They warn you that you’ll become "unhirable" at that salary level elsewhere. But guess what? That’s not always true either.

While it’s important to understand why a company is offering a higher salary, it doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck or unable to find future opportunities. High salaries can reflect a company's appreciation of your unique skills and the value you bring. Just make sure the company culture and role align with your career goals and personal values.

#4: Salary Websites and Social Media Are Accurate

Think twice before trusting salary websites and social media. Sites like Glassdoor, Comparably, Fishbowl, and Blind rely on employees to self-report their salaries. And let’s be honest, people often have a bias to protect their own self-worth when talking about salary. Take these sources with a grain of salt.

Final Thoughts

My career has been anything but a straight line, and these experiences have taught me to question conventional wisdom. A successful career is about personal satisfaction, growth, and balance—not just titles or paycheck size. Embrace your unique path, make decisions that align with your values, and remember that sometimes stepping sideways or even backwards can propel you forward in the most meaningful ways.

It’s your career so remember you don’t have to follow anyone else’s rules. Write your own.