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There are times when giving career advice is, well, inadvisable.
Doling out career advice to someone who hasn't asked for it is a fool's game. The recipient will likely ignore it or resent it, just as they would unsolicited tips on improving their relationships or parenting skills.
But even when someone asks for your advice, it's not always best to give it. At work for example, offering advice to a young colleague might be gratifying, but it could deprive the asker of an opportunity to develop good judgment, critical thinking skills and other qualities that are necessary for advancement, says Paul Hellman, founder of Express Potential, a Boston consulting firm that teaches executive communication skills.
Often when he is asked for advice, Hellman will listen attentively and then respond with a question of his own: "Suppose you were talking to a very wise person or the leading expert in your field, what would he or she advise you to do?"
Usually, this prompts the person to come up with a workable idea, if not the best possible solution, on their own, he says.
Don't squander words of wisdom on insincere advice seekers, says Judi Lansky, Lansky Career Consultants, Chicago. When a person is already dead set on a course of action and is shopping around for affirmation and validation under the guise of asking for advice, save your breath unless your position or principles require you to intervene.
