| How to Uncover the Marketable Assets and Skills You Possess |
The Importance of "Not Limiting" Your Thinking About Yourself
If you're like most people who want to change careers, you probably think that your chances are a real "long shot." On the other hand, you also know that if you continue to stay in your present position, you won't be satisfied. However, once you face up to things and determine to do something about it, you have taken the first step toward resolving the dilemma of your career situation.
It's been said time and again by psychologists, motivational speakers, spiritual leaders, coaches of winning teams and company presidents, the most restrictive limits anyone faces are those you put on yourself. If these leaders and motivators are right, and there is good reason to believe that they are, there is an important implication for you. If you really want to be a serious candidate for a new career, then don't put any limits on your thinking.
Your "EXPERIENCE" is More Marketable Than You Think
When it comes to job hunting, what everyone thinks of is experience. However, most of us think of our experience in narrow terms. For example, a person might describe their experience as, "Manager of Fire Insurance Claims." However, if you want to communicate your experience so that it will be "marketable" for a new career, then this kind of description will clearly work against you.
It makes you look like "a specialist," making it difficult for new employers to envision you doing something else. However, follow the few simple guidelines below, and your experience can be communicated in a much more marketable way.
Your Experience Can be Described in Different Ways...
And Will Broaden Your Appeal
Your previous jobs may have had a narrow focus and you may be thinking
"I don't have a lot of options." However, here is how you can expand your appeal and uncover more options. Simply describe "any experience you've had" in a way that makes the experience and your job skills more transferrable.
FIRST Your experience can be described according to various "business functions" that apply to most businesses, such as sales, production, accounting, market research, office administration, purchasing, etc.
SECOND Your experience can also be described by "duties" that are commonly performed in almost all companies. For example; organization project management, group work, problem-solving, report preparation, cost reduction, productivity improvement, etc.
THIRD Your experience can also be described by using "action verbs" that describe what you did, but which translate those things into achievements. For example, controlled, scheduled, systematized, wrote, improved, reshaped, built, created etc.
The simple fact is, the more different ways you describe your experience, the more it can qualify you for jobs in many career fields and industries. That's because all organizations are basically involved in similar functions.
How to Expand the Job Market Possibilities for Yourself
Here's an example of a very simple way to do it. Let's assume that someone is the Manager of Sales Administration for a textbook company that sells to schools in the east.
FIRST So that this person might get some new views of themselves, we would have them draw a small circle. That circle might represent them or other people whose jobs could be described the very same way.
SECOND We'd have them draw a slightly larger circle around the first, which would include all the people who manage sales administration for textbooks, "regardless of where they are sold." Now, when they think of themselves as being part of this group, they realize that they can appeal to more employers.
THIRD We'd have them draw another, slightly larger circle. It would include all Managers of Sales Administration for "all educational products" (not just textbooks), a still larger group of which they are a part. Once again, the number of potential employers is increased.
FOURTH The next circle? In this example it could include all Managers of Sales Administration for "any products sold to schools" (not just educational products). As a member of this group, the person can appeal to even more employers. We would have the person continue this process, drawing larger circles and figuring out broader job markets for themselves. You should go through the same exercise.
The key point to remember is, you can view yourself as a member of any of these groups, and then proceed to market yourself to your larger job market of potential employers.
You May Have "KNOWLEDGE" That is More Marketable Than You Think
If you don't have the right experience, then your knowledge can be the key asset which makes
you marketable.
"KNOWLEDGE" EXAMPLE #1... Consider the case of a 30 year-old word processor who
decided she'd like to sell computer printers. She had no sales experience, but her knowledge of how and why some printers operated better than others, convinced an employer to hire her as a sales representative.
"KNOWLEDGE" EXAMPLE #2... In another instance, an executive from the food industry was offered the opportunity to head up a real estate development. What was the connection? Well, the real estate firm appreciated this executive's talents as an organizer, which they perceived as their primary need. Their decision to extend an offer, however, was based just as much on the fact that this executive had shown a long interest in real estate. Though by no means an expert in the field, she was familiar with trends in the industry, and they felt her interest would enable her to learn the business quickly.
"KNOWLEDGE" EXAMPLE #3... A recent college graduate with no work history other
than summer jobs as a waitress and grill chef, was offered a position as Assistant to the Promotions Manager for a travel company. The reason for the offer? There were two. The first was that no one else had contacted this firm about the possibility of an opening. The second reason was the industry knowledge she demonstrated during her interview.
Where did she get that knowledge? By researching half a dozen back issues of three trade magazines in the travel industry. In addition to these rather dramatic examples, every day there are thousands of instances where people are hired primarily because of their knowledge.
It could be knowledge of a product a process a machine a market or even knowledge about a field or occupation not related to the employer's present activity, but which may play a role in future plans.
Sometimes people are hired simply because they know a "geographic area," and are acquainted with many people. The employer accepts the fact that they will need to learn the business, but their knowing the "territory" is most important. Your knowledge may come from your reading, hobbies, voluntary activities, association with suppliers or customers, from social activities or interests or simply from another member of your family.
Your "PERSONALITY" May be More Marketable Than You Think
Personality, of course, is just a word for that mysterious combination of traits that can either attract us to someone quite strongly, or on the other hand, leave us unimpressed. Many employment decisions have been based on personality. In fact, it happens thousands of times every day. When it does, the employer is probably thinking something like this:
"He's certainly a positive, quick-thinking fellow. He could pick up quickly what he needs to learn. I like him, and better yet, I trust him. He'll be able to get along with most of the people in this office and provide leadership. I want him in this company, and I'm going to make an offer right now."
So if you've got a pleasing personality if most people, seem to like you when they meet you chances are you will meet people who have the power to offer you a position in a totally unrelated field. In fact, they will do sojust because they like you!
"PERSONALITY" EXAMPLE ... You don't have to settle for just a chance meeting, either. One homemaker, returning to the job market, was hired as an Administrative Assistant after four letters and three meetings with managers in a company that had just moved into town.
Why was she hired? Well, it's true that no one else kept knocking on their door like she did, but what really won them over was that everyone who met her took a liking to her.
Take the time to reflect on all the people you've met in recent years, especially those with whom you easily struck up a positive association. It might be a good time to speak to them about opportunities in their field. Also, consider your key personal qualities.
Do you have leadership capabilities?
Do you have a special talent for organizing events and activities?
Are you calm under pressure?
Are you particularly fascinated with challenging outdoor activities?
Are you the kind of person others look to for advice and counsel on personal matters?
Do you have a history of facing and solving situations that other people hesitate to confront?
Depending upon your personal situation, characteristics like these may suggest a certain company, occupation, or industry for which you would be particularly well suited.
If some aspect of your personality makes you suited for certain types of activities, now is the time to investigate whether it might lead to a preferred career direction.
Your "INTERESTS" and "ENTHUSIASM" May Be More Marketable Than You Think
How many employers do you suppose have hired people principally because they showed a great deal of interest in their business? The answer is a lot!
"ENTHUSIASM" EXAMPLE #1... A packaging salesman was interested in medical equipment, and was fascinated by advances in products designed to reduce back pain. How did he win a position as Vice President of Marketing for a three-year old growth company in that field? Well, he answered an ad, just as 300 other applicants did. But he didn't stop there.
Over the next two weeks he wrote four more letters to the President of that company. To each letter he attached his own thoughts of why the firm's equipment should win the major share of a particular market. To the last letter he attached his suggestions for new markets the company should consider.
His insights were not based on experience, but on his interest and casual reading of the industry's trade press over the years, combined with some intensive study during the two weeks in which he wrote the letters.
When the President made the offer, he volunteered that he'd seen plenty of candidates with more impressive credentials, but not one with a tenth as much enthusiasm.
"ENTHUSIASM" EXAMPLE #2... if you think enthusiasm alone can't open opportunities for you, keep in mind the story of a fellow we'll call Sam.
He was a 25 year-old shoe salesman who bought his own computer. After a course or two, he showed a knack for programming. Now Sam didn't have a winning personality. In truth, it could best be described as flat.
With a less than impressive personality, no relevant experience, and only limited knowledge of most company's products and markets, Sam was hardly a first choice.
But Sam was particularly interested in a software program that one company was developing. Over a six-month period he took the initiative a dozen times to contact various decision-makers in the company and share his ideas. The ideas were never earthshaking, but one or two had some value.
Regardless, at one of the company's internal meetings, a manager remarked that anyone who had as much persistence and enthusiasm as Sam, would probably make an important contribution sooner or later. Two weeks after that meeting, he was on the payroll. Not a key position, mind you, but in a job that would start a new career for him.
"ENTHUSIASM" EXAMPLE #3... Enthusiasm knows no age barriers. A 55 year-old executive had taken early retirement, but couldn't stand the slow pace. The only activity he enjoyed was landscaping.
When he thought about returning to work, he decided he'd like to do something he thoroughly enjoyed. The obvious choice was landscaping. When he contacted the head of a local landscaping firm, the President was at first reluctant to hire him. l After three meetings, however, he was so impressed by this man's enthusiasm, that he offered him a job as an outdoor, hands-on landscaper. That was fine with the executive, who was happy to be working in that business in any capacity. As you would expect, it didn't take long before his natural enthusiasm helped bring in clients for the firm and soon he was moved into sales and promotion.
The "OPPORTUNITY" You Personally Represent May Be More Marketable Than You Think
Another common reason why employers hire people is because they represent opportunity for the organization.
If you can make an employer aware of "an opportunity" that you can help exploit, or a "problem" you can help solve, you can actually create a job for yourself. Of course, if the employer is aware of the need or opportunity, all you need to do is let him know that you're the person to handle it.
"ENTHUSIASM" EXAMPLE Consider the case of a 28 year-old Accountant for a printing company. She knew she had talent for solving operational problems, and she wanted to be in a more exciting industry.
She decided that if she could find a way to identify small but fast-growing companies in her area, she could contact the presidents and offer to solve a problem that she was sure every one of them had. The problem was how to find enough time in the day. With her administrative and operations skills, she knew she could lift a lot of time-consuming duties from their shoulders. As it turned out, she was able to identify companies in a variety of industriesranging from advertising to airport serviceswhere presidents responded positively.
One of them admitted he'd known for a full year, in the back of his mind, that he needed to hire someone like her. Until the letter hit his desk, however, he just hadn't taken the time to do something about it. He hired the former Accountant as his #2 operating person with "all-around administration responsibilities."
Take stock of your own abilities. Are there certain areas where you're capable of helping almost any company?
Are there opportunities to be exploited or problems to be solved, that you are especially well-equipped to handle?
If so, you can bring them to the attention of in any industry, regardless of the kind of position you propose is closely related to your recent experience.
Each New View of Yourself May Open Up a New Career Direction
Stop to think now about the implications of what we've discussed. Every day, thousands of employers hire people for a variety of reasons.
Experience is often the most important factor. However, at other times it is knowledge, personality, enthusiasm, or the fact that someone represented the solution to a problem... or the key to an opportunity. As you evaluate the pursuit of new careers or new industries, it will be well worth your while to analyze each of those factors as they relate to you.
You can look at your experience from many different angles.
You may have above-average knowledge about many subjects.
Your personality has many aspects, and perhaps you appeal to certain types of people in a variety of ways.
You may be enthusiastic about any number of things.
There may be more than one way you can bring your special talents to bear in helping companies solve problems or exploit opportunities.
Once you've identified a goal, use these exercises to build a self-image that makes you feel confident about getting there. Then all you need to do is focus your energies on the actions that will get you started. Don't be afraid to try more than one direction at once. Often, by getting out there in the real world and getting close to the kind of job "you think" you want, you may find you don't really want it that much after all. That's okay too. It's part of a process where when you eliminate things you don't want, you get that much closer to where you really want to be.
About Our Company
To find the right new career opportunity, you first need to be determined to discover what job skills you have that may be transferable to other areas of the employment world. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful in that regard .
The staff of our Company provides a range of services all of which are designed to help people achieve the maximum their talents allow in the job market. We supply people with advanced personal marketing methods; help them assess their transferable skills; and pinpoint their best career and industry options.
We also design customized marketing plans to get them the right interviews, professionally write resumes and letters, and use computers to identify employers for possible contact in all areas of the U.S. Our professional staff, facilities and job search resources are unsurpassed. If you are interested in seeing how we can help you advance your career, please give us a call.
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