WORKSHIFTER - Dispatches from the New Executive Frontier

Part 2: Assess Your Skills

Part two of our five part series looking at the steps to becoming independently employed.

Being independently employed can create new opportunities for you (yes, you)! For example you can leverage your skills in multiple projects while maintaining a work/life balance.

If you have gone through the personal analysis of your life and what it really takes to do this kind of work, then the next thing is to do a skills assessment. Ask yourself: what are my skills and what value do they have?

This assessment does not mean you refer to your last resume. In fact, this is very different than a traditional resume. It is more like a curriculum vitae. As you talk about your jobs, you need to focus more on how you did something rather than what you did. This helps organizations that may engage you to really understand your value to them.

For example, don’t say you “achieved record-breaking sales.” Future employers want to know how you achieved record-breaking sales. The marketplace needs to be confident that you have a specific talent and deep knowledge and expertise in the areas they are looking for. The how’s will help them assess a skill set and match it to their need.

Your skills go beyond simply increasing sales and managing teams. How many teams did you manage? Did you manage a team with a language barrier? Did you increase sales in a new division? Think about how your skills match interim projects. The more in-depth and niche your skills are, the closer the match will be to appropriate projects.

Remember your references serve as validation for your skills. Savvy professionals also recognize the benefits of brushing up your online image and networks.

Have any questions? Just ask!

Stay tuned for… Step 3: Assess Your Behaviors and Motivators