Parents sometimes give their children career advice that may not benefit them. While they’re well-meaning, this career advice is outdated and these suggestions could lead to overlooked resumes and uninteresting cover letters. For Gen Z to stand out, they need to look beyond conventional wisdom. They need to ground themselves in the modern job market.
The Outdated Career Advice Needs to be Updated
It seems the current parents often give the same advice so if you’ve heard any of these before, you’re not alone. So, lets explore some of the common outdated advice they share and what an updated view looks like.
Outdated — Stay in One Position Long-Term
Staying at a company long-term was good advice because many roles offered a pension, 401(k) matching and consistent income growth. While some employers still provide these benefits, it’s not a guarantee across all professions.
Updated — Job Hopping Leads to Higher Salaries
Employees aren’t necessarily penalized for job hunting, though this depends on the hiring manager’s opinion on job hopping. What is true is that job switchers increased their wages by 4.7%-5.0% in the first quarter of 2026. Job stayers received a pay bump of 3.5%-3.8% in the same time period.
However, in the current market, consider job hopping only if growth in your role has stalled for a while. It’s more difficult now than it was a year ago to leave a stable position. The number of hires in early 2026 has shrunk to its lowest level since April 2020, which was the beginning of the COVID lockdowns.
If you have a position lined up, take the leap. Since many employers don’t match a 401(k) or offer a pension, you won’t lose these when you leave a lower-paid role.
Outdated — Roles in Tech or Computing Are Safe
Software engineer, computer science technician and IT professional were once safe career paths. With brands switching to AI tools and downsizing since the pandemic hiring boom, the future for tech roles isn’t certain. If you hear someone trying to tell you otherwise just remember this is a piece of career advice that is outdated.
Updated — Unconventional Career Paths Are Safe
The best career advice for Gen Z is to take the unconventional path. Anything someone can do with their hands — such as styling hair, building a house or taking care of sick patients — is safe from AI for now.
The need for cosmetologists, hairstylists and barbers specifically will grow 5% faster than the average for all occupations between 2024 and 2034. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2023 and 2033, software developers, personal financial advisors and computer occupations are the most at risk for AI disruption. Engineers, lawyers and database administrators are also at risk.
Switching career paths may also be an option if you have a high-risk profession. For example, a tech professional could become an AI consultant or pivot to a medical technician.
Outdated Career Advice — Private All Social Media Profiles
Maintaining private social media accounts is a common piece of career advice given to Gen Z. Millennials and Gen Z grew up online, but not everything you post is employer-friendly. Since this wisdom exists in an internet-heavy landscape, it does more harm than good.
Updated — Be a Multi-Dimensional Human
Employers use social media to screen candidates. In a 2023 Resume Builder survey, 74% of hiring managers used social media to make hiring decisions. If you private yours, you could miss out on a job opportunity.
Instead of locking down your profiles, consider scrubbing them for employment deal-breakers. Delete any photos containing nudity or drug paraphernalia, even if said drugs are legal in your country, like alcohol.
When you get the role, avoid posting inebriated selfies, commenting on co-workers or taking pictures of yourself goofing off at work. Use common sense and think twice before you share any opinion related to politics, religion or misconduct.
Be human! Employers want an employee who fits in with their company culture. Post that picture with your family or pets.
Outdated — Employment Is Safer Than Freelance
The gig economy doesn’t feel safe, but that doesn’t mean employment is safer. Well-meaning parents assume employment laws are the same as when they were young adults. Recent regulatory rollbacks and executive actions targeting federal workers tell another story.
Updated — Gig Economy Work Supplements Income
In the United States, employment relationships are “at-will”, except in Montana. At-will means an employer can terminate your role for any reason, as long as it isn’t illegal.
The 2025 Department of Labor cuts will make it harder to fight wrongful dismissals. With the erosion of workers’ protections, the need for supplemental income grows. All employees should supplement their income with the gig economy in case of layoffs.
Some entrepreneurs start their own businesses to avoid gaps in their resumes. You can start as an independent contractor and convert to an LLC. Most gig work like driving for Uber or running deliveries for DoorDash only requires self-employment. If you’re applying as an employee and your self-employment seems suspicious, explain how you used these gigs to increase your skills for future roles.
Outdated — Apply to Every Job in Person
In your parents’ day, it was common to hand out paper resumes directly to managers. Although a good practice in their time of job pursuit this career advice is now outdated. With online job boards, this practice isn’t necessary and can come off as time-wasting to potential employers.
Updated — Apply Online and Don’t Call
Employers primarily use job boards. A 2025 iHire survey discovered that 68.6% of respondents hired through job boards all or most of the time.
With applicant tracking systems (ATS) becoming prevalent, businesses can run resumes through them to find the best potential hires. When you apply in person, you’re limiting the hiring manager’s ability to quickly assess your employability.
Frequent calling or emailing does little to improve your chances. It’s OK to email once or twice, but never call. With an email, the hiring manager can easily see where you are in the process. A call could be seen as bothersome.
Referrals are your gold ticket to a new position. That same iHire study found that 71.3% of referrals come from current staff. Instead of showing up in person, you have a better option. Contact and build relationships with the workers of potential companies on LinkedIn to secure a referral.
Outdated Career Advice — Over-Inflate Your Qualifications
This wisdom doesn’t come from the need to lie, but to look more impressive. Avoid this trap. It’s tempting to stretch the truth when you’re one of one thousand applicants. But, doing so could destroy your credibility and disqualify you from future roles in that enterprise.
Updated — Be Honest on Your Resume
In a 2023 Standout CV study, 64.2% of employees lied on their resumes. Going beyond stretching the truth, lying on your resume could come from fabricating whole jobs to misrepresenting your major in college.
Lying on your resume isn’t advisable, as employers can and do check. Many interviews include quizzes to test your knowledge. They will likely have questions about your role and how you solve problems in your job.
If you feel you need to lie to apply, that’s a sign to pass up the position. When you’re caught lying, you won’t get the role or maintain it long-term.
Take this opportunity to upgrade your credentials. For example, an accountant could go back to college to become a CPA. Sometimes, an online certificate is all you need to prove you have the necessary skills.
Outdated — Applying Is a Numbers Game
Applying with the same generic resume to every company saves you time, but won’t produce good results. In the past, the job market was more local and fast-paced. If you try to take this career advice now you’ll quickly find just how outdated it is. Now, employers have access to talent pools worldwide, and hiring managers are more choosy.
Updated — Update Your Resume per Posting
ATS software scans for specific keywords. Nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS, meaning a computer is assessing your employability before a person does. To stand out, you’ll need to update your resume consistently.
If you’re applying for multiple roles of the same type, don’t overhaul your whole resume. Search the job posting for relevant keywords and add them in. This is huge because these keywords are likely to ping in the ATS software. Include these naturally. Avoid stuffing words or adding words that don’t belong, as the ATS software or a human will disqualify you.
Use the same advice for cover letters. Tweak them to fit the posting, but highlight exactly how your skills will benefit potential employers.
Take your time with each application. Consider what unique skills you offer and check for grammar and word choice before applying.
Apply With Confidence With These Tips
Millennials and Gen Z applicants face a changing job market. These tips will prepare you to tackle a landscape that looks much different than your parents’ and their outdated career advice. Get out there and start applying the new fashion way!
About the Author
Chloe Powell, Senior Editor at Revivalist Magazine, is passionate about helping people live their best lives through wellness and self-care. She enjoys sharing honest, uplifting insights that inspire balance, confidence, and a deeper sense of well-being.
Website: https://revivalist.com/