“Fake it till you make it” is also a really bad piece of advice. And yet, it keeps popping up, often backed by social media influencers or regurgitated motivational sound bites from people like Simon Sinek or Richard Branson. It’s a lovely little phrase to slap on a meme, but in the real world, it’s risky, misleading and can be downright dangerous—especially when it’s applied to career choices.
Take Simon Sinek’s gem: “Hire for attitude, train for skills.” Sounds great, right? Until you’re sitting in front of a surgeon whose “attitude” is sparkling but doesn’t know the difference between a scalpel and a butter knife. Or imagine an event manager hired for their charming smile but who can’t read a budget spreadsheet. These are just sound bites, folks—catchy but impractical.
Social media is making this worse. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and now even LinkedIn are filled with self-proclaimed “career coaches” and influencers doling out advice like free samples. At best, much of it is useless, but at worse some of it is harmful.
The Danger of Clickbait Careers
Someone sent me a CV recently. A third of the page was taken up by her photo because an influencer told her it would “show her personality.” But in reality, the CV is there to get you past the gatekeeper and they want to see your skills and experience first. The interview is where your personality shines.
That influencer, while peddling “positivity” is risking someone’s livelihood. This isn’t just bad advice—it’s irresponsible. They’re preying on people desperate for quick fixes, charging them £99 for a course on “how to land your dream job” while potentially sabotaging their chances. How dare they?
Social Media Isn’t Gospel
Social media thrives on extremes. If it’s not a rags-to-riches success story, it’s a hustle-hard narrative that blames you for not achieving your dreams. “Only you are stopping yourself,” they say. But it’s a lie. The real world is full of obstacles: hiring biases, structural inequalities and sometimes, sheer bad luck.
And then there’s LinkedIn. Once a professional space, it’s now overrun with pseudo-gurus who peddle fluff disguised as wisdom. They’re not sharing advice to help you, they’re selling a product. If you’re listening to them, just ask yourself: What’s their agenda? And always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The Real World is Messy
I’ve been in events and recruitment for 24 years, and the truth is, there are no shortcuts. CVs are subjective, hiring processes are flawed, and no single piece of advice works for everyone. I tell everyone I mentor, whether they’re 22 and starting out or 60 and battling ageism, the same thing: “This is my advice based on my experience. Take it or leave it but make your own decisions. You’re a grown-up.”
If you’re tempted to “Fake it til you make it” and “say yes to everything”, stop and think. Do you have the skills? Can you deliver without burning out? Faking it might get you through the door, but it won’t keep you there. Trust me – I’ve been hired for personality before. It lasted a year, and it was a disaster for me and my employer.
The Bottom Line
Yes, this has been a ranty one, but I see the devastation poor advice can cause job seekers.
Social media influencers and soundbite merchants don’t have all the answers. Their advice might get likes and shares, but it won’t help you navigate the messy reality of the workplace. So, take it all with a pinch of salt. Research who’s saying it, think critically, and—most importantly—make your own decisions.
After all, being a grown-up means knowing your worth, valuing your skills, and knowing when to say, “No, that’s not for me.”
Now, that’s advice worth listening to.
