I had a conversation with one of my friends from India and we were sharing stories about how throughout our careers we have both been known as people who can do more than what our specific job title would indicate. We weren’t talking about being able to take on more responsibility in order to receive a promotion, we were talking about learning and using skills from another industry to help further our careers.
Breaking out of YOUR mold
I spent many years learning human resources and honing my skills related to compensation, benefits and employee relations. It wasn’t until I reached my mid-thirties that I realized that I was compelled to learn more about technology, finance, marketing and communications, and ultimately social. Spending my free time educating myself was some of the best time I’ve ever spent in terms of the return on my investment. The best compliments I get now are when someone tells me I’m a good writer, a marketer, or an expert for them in social media.
What are you known for?
When I think of the most successful people I know, these are the people who continuously increase their knowledge. Here 6 steps you can take to update what you are known for and be more than the definition of your job title:
- Identify industries you want to learn more about- Before you invest your time, make sure you have carved out a path that is not only going to be interesting for yourself, but one that will actually provide you improved business opportunities in the end.
- Read as much as you can online about the topic- The internet brings the best education to us at our fingertips. It’s easy to find written works from experts in your chosen field as well as video to teach you what they know.
- Interview “experts” already in that field and ask for recommendations to get up to speed in that industry- This is the time you really need to break out of your comfort zone. You will be reaching out to people you may not know and asking for them to help you learn. Keep in mind that many people like to
- Listen to podcasts on the subject while driving or working out
- Register for a course online or at a local university
- Ask to job shadow someone already working in the industry
With a bit of time, a plan, and a desire to learn and expand, you will be able to position yourself to no longer be defined by your job title. What have you done to change this in your career? Share with me in the comments.
*from the dusty archives…
