Why 'Just Ask ChatGPT' Is Bad Career Advice (And What Context-Aware Coaching Actually Changes)

I have a confession: I used to tell people "just ask ChatGPT for career advice" like it was a complete sentence. It's not. After watching dozens of people try to use generic AI for their most important career decisions — salary negotiations, job switches, long-term goal setting — I've noticed a consistent failure pattern. And it has nothing to do with the AI being "too dumb." It has everything to do with context. The Problem Isn't the AI. It's the Conversation Design. Here's how a typical ChatGPT career conversation goes: "I've been in my current job for 3 years and I'm thinking about switching. What should I consider?" The AI gives a solid, well-structured response. You feel helped. You close the tab. Three weeks later, you're in the same spot. Nothing changed. The issue? That conversation had zero memory of who you actually are. Your specific industry. Your current salary. Your family situation. Your last three attempts to pivot that didn't work out. The pattern in your thinking that