From Jack-of-All-Trades to Specialist: How Generalists Can Win in a Specialist's Job Market
Dec 04, 2024As someone who has worn many hats throughout my career - from digital advertising agency founder to esports event organizer, and now a life coach - I understand the unique challenges generalists face in today's job market. Landing a job as a generalist often feels like fitting a square peg in a round hole. Why? Because recruiters hunt for specialists.
The Generalist's Dilemma in Today's Job Market
In my years of experience across various industries in Southeast Asia, I've observed a common trend: if your title isn't a mirror image of what's on the job ad, your resume likely lands in the "no" pile. Recruiters, pressed for time and risk-averse, filter for exact matches. It's efficient for them but terrible and harsh for generalist jacks of all trades hopping across various roles or industries. This specialist bias creates a significant hurdle for versatile professionals. The current hiring process often overlooks candidates with diverse skill sets, focusing instead on those with specific, targeted experience. As someone who has successfully pivoted multiple times in my career - from launching video games to building esports stadiums - I can attest to the frustration this can cause.
Strategies for Generalists to Stand Out
However, all is not lost. There are ways for generalists to shine in a specialist-driven job market. Here's what I've learned:
- Reshape Your Resume: Tailor it to reflect specialist skills for the job you want. Highlight relevant projects and downplay the unrelated ones. When I transitioned from digital advertising to the gaming industry, I emphasized my experience with digital platforms and community engagement, which were directly relevant to my new role.
- Sell Your Versatility: Being a quick learner with a wide skill set is your ace. Position your adaptability as a strength, showing you can thrive in dynamic environments. In my case, my diverse background allowed me to navigate the complex world of esports, combining elements of event management, digital marketing, and game development.
- Showcase Transferable Skills: Identify the core competencies that span across your various experiences. For instance, my skills in project management and stakeholder relations were crucial in both organizing esports events and building Vietnam's first esports stadium.
Success Stories: Generalists Who Thrived
My own career journey is a testament to the power of a generalist background. I've successfully transitioned from digital advertising to gaming, to esports, and now to life coaching. Each move leveraged my broad skill set across an eclectic set of experiences.
For instance, when I joined Riot Games, I was able to draw on my diverse background to deliver complex projects like the League of Legends Rift Rivals events and the Vietnam Championship Series. My experience in digital advertising informed our marketing strategies, while my project management skills were crucial in organizing large-scale events.
Now, as I embark on my journey as a life coach, I'm once again leveraging my varied experiences. My understanding of different industries and roles allows me to connect with clients from various backgrounds, helping them navigate their own career transitions and personal growth.
The key lesson from these experiences? Don't let the specialist bias discourage you. Reframe your generalist background as a toolkit of diverse, adaptable skills ready to tackle industry-specific challenges. With the right approach, you can turn your varied experiences into your greatest strength.
Are you a struggling generalist? Remember, your diverse skill set is an asset, not a liability. By reshaping your resume, selling your versatility, and showcasing your transferable skills, you can position yourself as the ideal candidate for roles that require a broad perspective and adaptable skill set. Let's help generalists win in this competitive world.