Career Advice: Play to Your Strength
While you are learning other skills to be an all-rounder, try to play to your strength in the skills you are already good at. If you’re a good writer, always look for opportunity to write and bring your A-game to it.
If you’re a great speaker, always look for opportunity to speak and bring your A-game.
If you’re a great presenter, always look for opportunity to present. I am a decent writer and I play to this strength a lot.
That cover letter I have shared here several times practically stood my application out in a job change I made in 2012. Many years ago, I even used cover letter to get shortlisted for a role I never had experience in. See the cover letter here.
I’m in the middle of another job change, I will share the cover letter for that later, but it was a piece of art, according to preliminary feedback. I also think my modest progress in all places I’ve worked, esp the current one, has something to do with standout writing skill. It was deliberate. Always playing to that strength. Even outside official environment, like in social engagements, constant feedback is, “I like your simple, comprehensible writing style”. Covering for a possible average oral skill.
Other strengths I try to play to include networking – subtly sending the message that “this guy knows a lot of people; we should keep him”. Or “we will need his network” And versatility. Involving in several activities outside of what I was employed for or lacing my talk with knowledge outside of my primary field. Had a chat recently with senior management team of a potential new hirer and deliberately found a way to delve into industrial revolution, energy transition, PIA, ESG etc – subjects that many accountants don’t take seriously.
Of course, all these things do not substitute for being good at your primary job or knowledgeable in your primary field, and good attitude, but finding a way to play to your strengths will always be a good bonus in career progression, whether rising internally or moving.
