People come to me about jobs that they’re not able to apply for or get promoted to because they are unqualified more often than I can count lately. They will point me to all the requirements of the job and zero in on one or two that they don’t meet. The logic being, I don’t measure up 100% so I must not be ready. Instead, they begrudgingly look at jobs that are almost exactly what they’ve always done because they will meet all the requirements. So, I’m going to start with the call to action today, stop. Don’t reach for the job you’re qualified for. Stop wasting your time only looking as far as what you’ve already accomplished. Stretch yourself, into the job you want.
Can you see beyond the job you’re qualified for?
Recently I was talking with a woman who wants to leave her job. Now, it didn’t start that way. Originally, she was working to be promoted within her job family. When that didn’t pan out, she wanted more flexibility in her schedule. When that also didn’t work as she’d hoped she started longing for something different somewhere different. This is something I know so many people can relate to, looking for advancement turned to looking to leave.
As she started to look at jobs she was feeling a little hopeless because she was looking for her exact role at another company. I will admit I was a little confused. In my opinion, unless you’re really in your dream job in the wrong organization, try something new. Use a change as a chance to explore. If you’re going to make a move, make it to something that will stretch you in a new direction and expand new skills. I know that’s not everyone but just my perspective. Her response when I stepped up on that soap box, it’s the only thing I’m qualified for. I think my eyes about popped out of my head at that comment. This powerhouse of a woman who manages so much and adds so much value thinks what she’s doing now, relatively early in her career, is all she’s qualified for?!
Some encouraging tough love for her and you
You’re better than that. Give yourself more credit to be able to learn and grow. You have skills that you’ve acquired through your current work, and your outside activities. You’ve grown beyond just the job you’re qualified for on paper. Do not put yourself in a box of what you’ve always done. Think of the problems you’ve analyzed, the solutions you’ve come up with, and the communication you’ve done around it. Consider how much you didn’t know coming into that role. If you were qualified enough to get it then, you’re qualified for more a few years in.
Let’s have this hit a little closer to home
In my first job, I knew nothing. As in, I had to be shown how to properly mow a ditch and how to mop a floor with those big industrial stringy mops. I had to practice making change at a register and how to cook. By the end of that first summer, I was teaching others how to do that job.
Fast forward to my first job in insurance. I got an interview for an adjuster job and promptly Googled insurance adjuster that night to figure out what the job actually was. I had no ego around not knowing much and was so excited to learn new things that I soaked it all up like a sponge. By the end of that first year I was developing new processes and testing system changes, two things definitely not in my job description.
If I jump to my first leadership role, I remember I was making mistakes left and right. Some might sound familiar from posts over the last few years. I learned not to be everything to everyone and keeping a little closer touch on the work would give me more perspective. Leading through other leaders and influencing those I don’t have direct connection with became a favorite lesson, after many mistakes. I learned to mentor and coach without micromanaging my team and without smothering those outside the team.
And what does that mean for you?
Remember that same grit and tenacity you came at your first job or the first job in your field with. Back when work was fun (Click here to see When the Money is all you Need for a refresher on how work can be fun.) You didn’t know anything, and you were probably OK with that. It lit a fire under you to grow and learn that would never have burned had you already knew it all. Keep that fire. Have fun. Be curious. Explore and experiment with work.
Now, if you’re 15 years into your career you’re likely not at the point that you can be Googling your actual job title but, you can maintain that same spirit. You know when you can’t maintain that spirit, when you’re in your comfort zone and you already know all there is to know on the position. That is just a recipe for boredom for you and limited value being placed on you by the company. (Click here if you’re curious where you currently stand within the Value Hierarchy.)
Go for the job that seems just out of reach.
Reach for the job that you’ll have fun learning about and developing into. Hope for the work that will challenge you and keep you on your toes. Do you what type of work that would even be for you? Just like the role within the job family might not be the fun challenge for you that you want it to be, your whole job family could be off as well. I hear all the time that people have been doing the same thing forever and don’t know what else would suite them. Take the quiz and find out friend. Click here to take the 1 minute quiz that can help you move toward the fun and refreshing career you want.