I think that's just symptomatic of a general lack of good careers advice in schools and universities. Most people I sit down with have no idea that they're mean

I think that's just symptomatic of a general lack of good careers advice in schools and universities. Most people I sit down with have no idea that they're meant to have been tracking their achievements and metrics. Even people who've led very impressive lives; worked in government, been pilots, etc. I suspect there's a certain self-serving aspect in that on the part of schools and universities. If students had the view that their education was going to be a foot in the door; maybe listed as a line at the base of their CV, and the time at uni listed as another job. - If students were expected to ask of the stuff they were doing right then, 'What is this helping me achieve that I'll be able to put on my CV?'... the answer would frequently be, 'Bugger all.' It's not in schools of universities interests to give you good advice if that advice contradicts a view of the world that supports the importance of their services. And there are precious few other sources of advice that are likely to know what they're talking about.