Hey, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Sorry! I wanted to jump on the blog today because, as I approach my 10^th year in the PR industry (ugh, mentally I’m still 21), I was doing a bit of reflecting the other day. Taking a little trip down memory lane and reminiscing the highs and lows of my career so far.

One thing that I was thinking about is some of the, quite frankly, terrible advice I’ve got over the years. Advice that not only changed my practice but changed me as a person. Habits I’ve made to make, then break.

So, I wanted to reflect on that today, and hopefully share the message that what works for one, might not work for you. You don’t have to do everything you’re told. But don’t say I said that!

3 Pieces Of Career Advice I Now Ignore

You Should Never Apologise

I remember being told as I stepped up into account management, never to apologise for anything. To a client, a colleague, to anybody. While I understand that with apologies comes accountability – now that I’m a few years into working in a management role, I have to say I disagree with this so much.

We’re all human, we’re all going to make mistakes. Not owning them and acknowledging them creates an air of ignorance that personally, I can’t get behind. I think it’s really important to recognise and learn from your mistakes, and throughout my career so far, I’ve always had better relationships with people I’ve apologised to and been real with – than tried to present a picture-perfect version of myself to.

As I said above, everyone’s different. What works for me, might not work for you. But reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve never regretted apologising for something. So, I guess this is me saying if you’ve ever gotten similar instruction, don’t feel bad for being human. Clients will often appreciate you all the more for it.

Don’t Be Friendly In Emails

My first job was a huge learning experience for me. I developed most of the digital PR skills I still have today there and underwent a lot of personal development. I had plenty of good advice, but some bad. The one that sticks with me is when I was ‘pulled’ aside for being too friendly in emails. I was told to use the most basic language, and NO smiley faces.

While, to an extent, this is how some clients like to communicate. It’s not a blanket approach. I have clients who I’m much more formal with, and others I have no qualms over sending smileys on teams to. Some of my clients I’ve even grabbed dinner and drinks with.

All of this is to say that while establishing professional boundaries is important, don’t be afraid to be a little friendly. People buy people after all. I always tend to start communications super formal, until I get a feel for how the relationship with the client is going to go. But at the end of the day, kindness is never a bad idea.

You Need To Be ‘Always On’ To Get Ahead

In a conversation with a fellow marketing professional once, I was told you need to have an ‘always on’ approach to get ahead in the industry. And if that means working until 12pm, so be it. Now, as someone who’s protective of her 9pm bedtime and a strict proponent of work life balance. I have to tell you that this is, mostly, nonsense.

That being said, as I advance through my career, I’m understanding the importance of going the extra mile where necessary, and always being hungry to learn. Working towards my CIPR accreditation, for example, is something I’m really investing my own time into at the moment. And I spent a lot of my spare time during lockdown working on a psychology diploma.

I’m also totally hypocritical because my best ideas often come to me outside my working hours. And when I spend my free time perusing TikTok, I can’t help but spot things I know would be great for my clients. But I also value switching off and defending my work life balance.

I once worked in an agency where being in early and leaving late was part and parcel of the job. And I never felt better for it. I still believe I’d have progressed all the same if I’d have protected my time more back then – and my mental health would be a lot better today.

So, I guess while I’m saying be flexible with your time and hungry to go above and beyond, you won’t stunt your progression by valuing your free time. And if anyone ever tells you that you need an ‘always on’ approach to your career. You don’t.

Thank you as always for reading and for supporting me, and always happy to continue the conversation on my socials. Read my other blogs here whilst you wait for the next one.