You open another tab. It’s a job listing that kind of interests you, but you’re not even sure what the role means. You save it to your Google Doc called “career options?” and immediately close the tab. Five seconds later, you’re back on TikTok watching someone your age talk about how they just got hired at their dream job. Again.
Somewhere in your brain, a quiet panic kicks in.
Am I doing this wrong? Why is everyone else already successful?
Then someone says the worst sentence ever:
“Have you tried networking?”
Career Advice Makes Me Feel Like a Failure With a Google Doc
There’s so much advice. Too much, probably.
Optimize your LinkedIn. Send cold emails. Don’t send cold emails. Follow your passion. Actually, don’t follow your passion, follow stability. But also, don’t settle. But also, make sure you have a five-year plan.
Underneath all of that is this subtle, exhausting message:
If you’re not thriving yet, it’s probably your fault.
You internalize it. You start second-guessing everything: your degree, your decisions, your personality, your entire skillset. Your browser history is 50% job boards and 50% “what job should I have if I’m tired and sensitive.”
You want direction. You get vibes.
Why This Feels So Personal
Career identity is a big part of how we define adulthood. When you’re figuring that out in your early 20s, or even your late 20s, it can feel like every choice you make is permanent.
You might feel like:
- You’ve missed your window
- Everyone around you is already doing the thing
- You’re falling behind because you’re not networking “hard enough”
- You’re secretly not cut out for this
But none of that is necessarily true. It just feels true, especially in the middle of uncertainty, comparison, and an internet full of polished career highlight reels.
So… What Can You Do?
Here’s some grounded advice that won’t make you want to scream:
- Redefine progress
Updating your resume is progress.
Learning what you don’t want? Progress.
Surviving another rejection without giving up completely? Still progress. - Try career experiments, not commitments
You don’t need to marry a career path. Just date one. Try a short course, a volunteer project, a freelance gig. See how it feels. - Talk to real people, not just threads
One honest conversation with someone in your field of interest can clarify more than 200 posts telling you to “build your brand.” - Be skeptical of hustle culture
Success isn’t always fast. Or linear. Or visible. Half the people posting wins online are privately confused, too. You’re not behind. You’re just not on display.
The Bottom Line
If career advice feels more like noise than help, you’re just overwhelmed.
It’s hard to plan a future when the world keeps shifting and the instructions are vague. But you’re not failing. You’re figuring it out in real-time.
So if all you did this week was open a document called “career???” and then cry a little, same. But you’re doing your best. That’s something.
Really.
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