Too often a job seeker bases his or her identity and job search on previous job titles.
Just about any time you meet someone this question comes up: What do you do?
The typical response? I’m an engineer, I’m a web designer, or I’m a teacher.
The problem with using titles to guide your job search or in other conversations is that titles vary from one organization to another. While there are similarities — teaching doesn’t vary much from one school district to another, for example — when using titles, the skill often is overlooked and the role is accented. Teaching is a skill you acquire and differentiates you from others.
When your job search becomes focused on the value you bring to an employer, the combination of experiences and transferable skills you have, suddenly opportunities appear that you could have easily been overlooked.
In order to prepare for a job-search strategy built on value, answer these questions:
What makes you want to change careers?
What are some specific areas of interest you could contribute to immediately?
What are your qualifications?
What to do you want to do?
The next time you attend a networking event or other gathering, try to introduce yourself by describing your interests, value and enthusiasm for helping employers solve their problems.
Titles basically describe corporate structure and are used as a compensation benchmark needed when running an organization. The problem with relying on titles to describe yourself is when you lose your job — your title was connected to that job.
Competing in this new marketplace requires that job seekers identify themselves with more than a title. Give it a try.
