Communicating Your Value-added Series, Part 1
Don’t hide you light under a bushel basket!
It’s important to remind ourselves that when it comes to job search and career development the system is broken in many ways. There is a tendency to miss that and to fall into self-blame and or to take on the role of victim, at the whims and mercy of a flawed system.
If the system is working for you, count yourself lucky. If it’s not, is it time to step back, recognize that fact, and wonder: “is there another way to go about finding meaningful work that both engages you and allows you to generate a sustainable income?”
As an experienced professional, you already have what you need to succeed. You have a lot to give. Don’t let it go to waste. How can you leverage your unique combination of skills, to stand out from the crowd? To be seen? And your “value-added” be recognized and appreciated?
The world of work has changed dramatically and yet small-town rules still apply. It still comes down to who you know and who knows you. It comes down to your reputation, what you’re know for, your career capital.
Your Career Capital includes:
- Your unique stack of skills and experience.
- The people you know and who know you.
- Your body of work, your track record, your portfolio.
How can you continue to leverage and build your Career Capital in a way that is visible to the right people? The people who need you to help solve their problem.
Our suggested strategy is by continuing to learn and develop your skill stack, but not in secret.
How can you use that new learning? Not someday. Now.
How can you start doing the work you want to be doing right now, with the resources you have right now, your means at hand?
- Think about it, talk with a few friends and colleagues. Brainstorm.
- Start small but do your work and show your work regularly. Have conversations with others who are doing the work and learn from them.
- Re-engage your energy and interest, and let that energy and engagement be your compass.
The career landscape is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Finding your way is hard, and the journey is made easier with the right set of wayfinders and companions along on the journey.
Don’t hide your light, your unique skill-stack, under the proverbial bushel basket (ATS process)!
Communicating Your Value-added Series, Part 2: Identifying your unique differentiator.
Tom McDonough, a career and life coach, is director of programs and founding Board member for the Institute for Career Transitions. Though his career story has allowed him to experience many roles, the underlying theme is helping colleagues clarify and align personal and career goals with their core values.
