“I never did feel like I fit in the department,” said one job candidate who recently lost his job. Another commented about dreading Monday morning and told me that he spent each Sunday in a state of dread instead of enjoying the weekend. It was difficult to relax because he spent all day giving himself a pep talk about Monday.
Both job seekers would fit into the “outsider” mold. They lacked the joy of working and never felt like they fit their work culture or job role. When both lost their jobs recently, it was relief.
Outsiders will usually have a theme to their career dissatisfaction and often see themselves as a “square peg trying to fit into a round hole”.
In a job search, there are benefits to thinking like an outsider, and in most cases being unique helps you stand out from the crowd. The key is to recognize what keeps you fulfilled in your job and to stay true to yourself. Feeling like an outsider also can be an advantage, because you can offer a different perspective when solving problems, which can be attractive to employers.
In his book “Outsiders on the Inside,” David Couper suggests an exercise that helps job seekers
pinpoint their strengths and organize them in a way that promotes the value of being unique.
One way to do this is to identify what makes you unique and valuable to employers. Here are areas to look at that can help identify what sets you apart from other job seekers or employees:
• Skills: What can you do? Do you speak an additional language, do web design, develop a good presentation? Identify those skills.
• Knowledge: What you know that makes you unique? This could be mechanical work or grant writing, for example.
• Behaviors (how you react or behave): Perhaps you deliver exceptional customer service or encourage others around you.
• Experience: These are the things you have done or been exposed to in your career. For example, you may have worked internationally, built a house, or worked in several industries.
• Attitude: Look at how you respond to others or do things. Do you make the best of an uncomfortable situation? Are you known for being fair and respectful? Are you the upbeat person in your workplace who always has a smile for others? Identify your attitude.
• Personality: What characteristics do you have? Do you take time before making decisions? Maybe you are outgoing. On the other hand, you may be serious and quiet.
Take this two-step approach to working through this process:
1. Think about each of these areas, and write down your thoughts.
2. Convert your distinctiveness into statements or accomplishments that will add value to an employer’s needs.
Knowing what sets you apart will be helpful during networking or interviews. If it is difficult for you to come up with examples for the six areas, ask a family member or friend to give you honest feedback.
Developing insight plays a big role in choosing a satisfying career path. You’re going to change jobs a number of times, but you can maximize your career satisfaction if you learn to leverage your strengths instead of trying to force yourself to fit into a job.
