A reporter recently asked me for one rule to give Gen Z for evaluating career advice on social media. Here’s what I told them.

If the advice is too vague to fact-check, it’s too vague to bet your career on.

A lot of viral career advice is built to travel, not to really guide someone. Things like “Protect your boundaries.” “Leave if you’re not valued.” “Never do work outside your role.” “Job-hop for the raise.” all sound true because it’s vague enough to fit almost any situation.

Before you act on any advice (mine included), ask yourself three questions about the material. Is it applicable to my skillset?  It is specific to my situation? Is there a risk to me to follow it?

If whoever’s giving the advice can’t tell you when it works, when it backfires, and how to implement it, the post was probably created for engagement rather than serious guidance.

Critically evaluating a post is the first step, the second is to find other sources that elaborate on the information. Treating posts as initial advice rather than fact can save you from quitting a job too fast, turning down the assignment that would have built your reputation, or paying for a credential or coaching program you never needed.