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.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Share
This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.