Growing into Power

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Why your career is more than the sum of your jobs

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Careers are not just jobs. They are not even all of your jobs added together. Careers include all the other professional stuff that you can get your hands on. The special projects, the committees, the publications, the awards, and even your relationships with colleagues. 

Your resume is your story. While there are lists of your roles, your career exists outside of 9-5. Your resume has sections beyond jobs for a reason. It’s time to think of what you’ve done and your experience outside of just here are the jobs I’ve had. Your career is a messy map of people, roles, responsibilities, moments of extreme competency and of severe failing. It’s not one thing or another. While it can be framed around your current job, I am always impressed by people who answer the standard cocktail party, “what do you do?” question, with a cumulative big picture answer. Instead of saying I work here, or I’m the blank person for this company, these people say, “I work in x field to accomplish y.” They see their contributions as beyond their immediate job, and their current company. They are presenting themselves and their careers to you. You don’t ask people “what’s your job?” before you ask, “what do you do?” Therefore consider taking those opportunities to present your work in the world, not just your job title. You are more than that. Your contributions to the world are more than that. Try it and see what happens. Report back in the comments below.