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We’ve all had moments where we question our career choices. Maybe we’ve felt like an imposter, wanted to strike out on our own, asked existential questions about why we spend so much of our week working in an unfulfilling role, or simply thrown up our arms in frustration at the negative workplace environment we’ve found ourselves in.

It’s at times like these that we often turn to mentors, friends, and colleagues for advice, a moment to vent, or words of reassurance. “What should I do?” we ask, or sometimes more pointedly, “What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

It’s with these moments in mind that we asked influential leaders in the hiring and learning community: What’s the top career advice you’ve ever received?

Below you’ll find their answers. And whether you’re questioning your career, considering next steps, or happy with where you are, we think you’ll find their words helpful and insightful as you navigate your career, no matter which path you may take.

Lori Niles-Hofmann: Find the right garden

“I’d been struggling in a role I thought I really wanted,” says Lori, a learning strategist, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and cofounder of the NilesNolen consultancy. “And long story short, I got layered by a new director and it was clear we weren’t compatible. He eventually fired me and it stung. But a good colleague took me aside and told me one thing: ‘Right flower, wrong garden.’ And they were right — I was so tied to the title and the job that I hadn’t realized how unhappy and exhausted I’d become. I wasn’t flourishing there. So to this day, I don’t put down roots in any garden unless I know it’s a good fit for both sides.”

Stacey A. Gordon: Know your value

“The best career advice I ever received,” recalls Stacey, a workplace culture consultant, DEI strategist, and LinkedIn Learning instructor, “was from a trusted friend and colleague who said, ‘You’re being undervalued. Stop giving 200% of your brain power to a job that isn’t even paying for 100%.’ There may have been a lot of noise about quiet quitting, but when employers are repeatedly overstepping their boundaries, it’s only right that we push back. Especially when those boundaries seem to flex more easily when they’re pushing on women and professionals of color.  

“And as seen by high-profile women, including New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern, who have recently quit their jobs, we are burnt out because of these extra demands and expectations on our time. For a stark example of the extras that women deal with at work, take a look at what happened when one man signed his emails with a female colleague’s name for a week.”

Johnny Campbell: Fall in love with problems

“The top career advice I’ve ever received is to ‘fall in love with the problem, not the solution,’” says Johnny, CEO of the e-learning platform SocialTalent. “The best people fall deeply in love with problems — they ask great questions, dig deep into the ‘why,’ and push back on a problem until they really understand it before offering a solution. So, the next time you’re trying to show that you’re the right person for the job, focus less on what a great solution you are for the role and more on the problems that need to be solved. Digging into the ‘why’ with great questions is a surefire way to stand out from the crowd.”

Laurie Ruettimann: Don’t forget about yourself

“During a challenging HR job,” recalls Laurie, an HR and talent management consultant, founder of Punk Rock HR, and LinkedIn Learning instructor, “I constantly delivered terrible news and found I could not make a difference. Finally, a mentor advised me that to fix work, I should fix myself first.  

“The role of HR can be deceptive, leading us to believe that an inside-out approach is the key. However, we bring a grounded perspective into the workplace during critical changes by living courageously and aligning with our values. 

“My advice for the HR community is to focus on personal growth and well-being to survive chaotic times and make a positive impact in the future. Reflect on your life, engage in self-improvement, and foster a happier, healthier mindset to support others and drive meaningful change.”

Lars Schmidt: Find your voice

 “When I launched my first CPO community,” says Lars, founder of the HR executive search and talent consultancy firm Amplify, “I ran the launch communication strategy past a friend for input. His response? This sounds great — but it’s not you. He knew me, and he knew that that writing wasn’t me. And he was right. The draft I sent him was a much more formal and, frankly, corporate message that wasn’t in my voice.

“He went on to explain that the reason people would be drawn to (or repelled from) this community was authenticity and belonging. He encouraged me to lean into that and let everything else fall into place as it should. 

“It didn’t feel profound at the time, but looking back I can see how it altered my path and freed me to find my voice.”

Naphtali Bryant: You can learn your way through anything

“I wholeheartedly believe in nurturing a passion for learning and reinvention,” says Naphtali, senior vice president of talent management at ZoomInfo. “The most impactful career advice I’ve received stems from a recurring theme I’ve mostly internalized: ‘Never stop being willing to learn and stay passionately curious about how you can reinvent yourself to meet the needs of the moment.’ 

“This mantra serves as a daily reminder to me that no matter how challenging a situation may be or the obstacles I will face, I can learn my way through it. By maintaining a curious mindset and believing in my ability to adapt and improve, I’m able to meet every moment life presents with resilience and determination.”

Stacy Zapar: Give and you shall receive

“I heard one piece of advice early in my career and it has absolutely proven true, time and again,” says Stacy, founder of the recruitment consultancy firm The Talent Agency, “and it’s: ‘Whatever you put out into the universe will come back to you tenfold.’ 

“The more I’ve given away over the years, whether speaking at an event, writing, networking, hosting a sourcing jam, or hopping on a call to help someone, the more positivity seems to come my way. I even named my first business Tenfold to always keep this mindset front and center. If you’re ever feeling frustrated, burned out, or just plain over it, take a moment to help someone else (directly or anonymously paying it forward) and I promise it will not only feel great, it might also come back to you in unexpected and positive ways.”

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