The Hidden Value of Your Skills From Unconventional Career Paths

19 Jan The Hidden Value of Your Skills From Unconventional Career Paths

A long time ago, people had one job — literally one — for most of their working life. They graduated from high school, went to work, and retired from the same company decades later. 

It’s possible people still do this, but it’s pretty unlikely. It’s also possible you’ve been warned that changing jobs too often can hurt your career. 

Just like having options for picking a cookie is a good thing, having some variety on your resume can help make you stand out to potential employers. 

Here’s why having multiple job titles on your resume can be a benefit, not a drawback. 

1. A variety of jobs can mean a variety of skills.

Every workplace offers a different approach to work, even if the job titles are the same. One company might have offered you the chance to learn new skills, while the other helped you sharpen one particular skill set. The more places you work, the more things you pick up along the way. Staying in one place can leave a person’s abilities a little dull or stale; changing things up keeps you sharp. 

2. Working with different people helps you build people skills too.

When you change jobs from time to time, you become adept at meeting new people, making friends, and learning how to jump into a team and make contributions. You learn how to be a strong communicator, a good listener, and someone who can learn as you go. It also gives you the chance to meet people from different backgrounds and learn a little about them and their view on the world, which can be fun and enlightening at the same time. 

3. Different jobs means different perspectives.

Even if all the companies you’ve worked for are in the same field, you’ll learn new ways of doing things under different managers and bosses. This can make you an asset to a new company — you can come in with new-to-them ideas and techniques that could help make processes more efficient. Maybe you’ve worked with programs or tools that are brand new in your next job, making you a seasoned pro who can help work out the bugs and bumps along the way. Or maybe you can help solve an unsolvable problem because of some trick you learned elsewhere, and now you’re a hero. It could help you become a mentor to your new coworkers! 

4. Stay engaged longer.

Someone who’s stayed in the same job for years can begin to feel bored. Everything becomes routine; very little thought is needed; there’s very little challenge or excitement in your day. But when you move around from time to time, your brain stays alert and focused as you learn new things. You have to navigate a whole different building or type of work. You need to remember new names and new procedures. The existing skills you have are put to new uses. This is a great way to keep your working life engaging and fresh and help fight off career boredom and resentment. 

5. Boost your flexibility. 

When you move from job to job every few years, you learn to adapt quickly. This means you’re not one to flinch when something changes in the middle of a project. You’ve learned how to change course and keep moving forward when everyone else might be pushing back or unsure how to proceed. Managers appreciate people who can roll with the tides without missing a beat, and someone who has proven themselves successful at adapting is highly valued. 

Don’t fret if your resume lists a handful of jobs in a few years. Someone will understand that change is a good thing and will, at the very least, be curious to know what you’ve learned from your experiences. 

Start Your Career with LeadingEdge

When the time comes to try something new, call LeadingEdge Personnel. We partner with great companies who can see the value in your varied background and will want to bring you on to their team. Call LeadingEdge today, and let’s find your next job!