As I review my career path and evaluate new opportunities, I have noticed how many people try to "label" you and put you in a box. Labels can be so inhibiting. I have always taught students and clients how to evaluate their skills and learn to read the market to find the "goodness of fit". As humans, we are constantly growing and evolving. Identify and focus on the combination of skills that best capture the direction that you want to go at that time in your life.
I started my career in technical recruiting which required strong interpersonal and communication skills. It also required the ability to read people, develop connections and maintain relationships. As my career progressed after adding a master's degree in counseling, I have helped hundreds of students and clients learn how to market themselves and figure out the world of work! I have worked with a variety of clients in a range of environments to include federal government, transitioning military, higher education and community settings. Many of the skills that I used in recruiting are the same skills that I use in career counseling, training, and coaching, just used a little differently.
As I watch students scramble to quickly obtain the best degree to make themselves marketable in life, it strikes me that they are missing the mark. It is not just enough to complete a degree without learning how to market yourself and take the necessary developmental steps. Learning how to think critically and keeping a close eye on the market is crucial to success. Shedding the labels that restrict us to think just about job titles and broadening our focus to identifying skills is the key.
If I look just at my own job titles I have been a recruiter, human resources professional, trainer, coach, counselor, advisor, director...and the list goes on! I don't know about you, but I do not want to just pick one role... Instead I prefer to synthesize my skills and integrate what each role has taught me. Learn how to break things down and give specific examples of excellence as it relates to projects and accomplishments. Expose yourself to different experiences and opportunities to continually learn and develop. Humans desire to be challenged and trying out different environments will thrust you into that learning mode.
As an entrepreneur, one learns how to juggle all the components of building the business, marketing the business and making the necessary adjustments accordingly. In this new world, we are all entrepreneurs and CEOs of our own careers! So, shed the labels and dig deeper to find your true self and that will lead to success!
I started my career in technical recruiting which required strong interpersonal and communication skills. It also required the ability to read people, develop connections and maintain relationships. As my career progressed after adding a master's degree in counseling, I have helped hundreds of students and clients learn how to market themselves and figure out the world of work! I have worked with a variety of clients in a range of environments to include federal government, transitioning military, higher education and community settings. Many of the skills that I used in recruiting are the same skills that I use in career counseling, training, and coaching, just used a little differently.
As I watch students scramble to quickly obtain the best degree to make themselves marketable in life, it strikes me that they are missing the mark. It is not just enough to complete a degree without learning how to market yourself and take the necessary developmental steps. Learning how to think critically and keeping a close eye on the market is crucial to success. Shedding the labels that restrict us to think just about job titles and broadening our focus to identifying skills is the key.
If I look just at my own job titles I have been a recruiter, human resources professional, trainer, coach, counselor, advisor, director...and the list goes on! I don't know about you, but I do not want to just pick one role... Instead I prefer to synthesize my skills and integrate what each role has taught me. Learn how to break things down and give specific examples of excellence as it relates to projects and accomplishments. Expose yourself to different experiences and opportunities to continually learn and develop. Humans desire to be challenged and trying out different environments will thrust you into that learning mode.
As an entrepreneur, one learns how to juggle all the components of building the business, marketing the business and making the necessary adjustments accordingly. In this new world, we are all entrepreneurs and CEOs of our own careers! So, shed the labels and dig deeper to find your true self and that will lead to success!