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When folks ask, “What do you do?” are you one who confidently communicates your various job roles and responsibilities–or one who simply states your title? While you’re thinking about that, let me share this:
If you are a recent grad/have little work experience, words like Administrative, Assistant and Associate are sure to attach themselves to your name and eat away at your psyche.
Seniority has value; there are many things that may only be fully understood by trial and stunningly horrific error. The trick is knowing how to balance “paying your dues” discipline with an “experience beyond your years” mindset.
You may feel humble and likable as you say, “I’m just an assistant to the Executive Director;” however, when you say this–in that tone that suggests embarrassment–you signal to me a lack of appreciation for the organizational, customer service, event planning, writing, phone and crisis/trouble shooting skills such a position demands.
If you don’t appreciate your own workplace contributions, how the heck can you expect a future employer to? Starting today, define your gig by what you do instead of what title they’ve slapped on your business card. It’s not bragging, folks. It’s smart career management.
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Comments
01.29.10
Fantastic advice.
01.29.10
I agree! Confidence is key. You must believe in what you are doing because if you don't, nobody will believe in you. Own your title, own your career!
@beardownconsult
01.29.10
Thanks for the comments, Roxanne and Bear!
01.29.10
I agree, it's just that I personally have an issue with it when I describe the various things that I do because sometimes it blows people away, so I'd rather just say "oh I have my own little venture going..." Would be great to finally be able to make that more concise. On my card I have:
Videography & Promotions
Humanitarian Work
But I'd like to change that as I now have employees and have expanded beyond freelance. Thanks for the post!
01.29.10
Julian, sounds like you have wonderful things going on! I'd encourage you to drop the "little venture" out of there and say you own a "video and promotions company; we are doing our part to change the world."
I'd like to see that on a business card, in fact!
01.29.10
I don't have a copy of it on this PC (I use my Mac for work) but you can find it on the end of one of my videos :)
I use social media (marketing) + videography to come into the realm of a social media broadcasting type of endeavor. I'd also like to do non profit humanitarian work, particularly on the topics of cancer and the starvation of children worldwide.
01.30.10
I agree with your take on this (makes me want to revise my business cards). As a side note, the only business card I've ever LOVED was from one of my vendors (a sales guy who was awesome). It has his name and probably his title, too. But the only thing I really remember - and the reason this card is in my desk drawer to this day - is because under his name it says:
A fun guy to work with!
None of the other guys from his company had anything like that on their cards - it stood out to me because it was different and it was true. :)
01.31.10
Thanks, Dawn! What would you change your card to say?
01.31.10
Hmmm. What do you think:
She takes care of business.
02.01.10
Rock on, Dawn!
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