APU Careers Careers & Learning

“Jack” of All Trades, Master of One

By Shun McGheesoft-skills-workers
Contributor, Career Services

My friend Jack is talented beyond belief. He can fix electrical problems better than most certified electricians, and he can play the piano better than some acclaimed musicians. It feels effortless the way he can open a radio and diagnose the problem (often seeming to close his tool box no sooner than having opened it), and always emerging with the remedy to your machine’s woes.

Jack is the same way on a piano. I recall many times when I have become really stumped learning a tune. When this happens, I call Jack, who within minutes, learns the song and is able to play it back. Naturally, I sit on the phone listening in awe and realizing how much further I have to go to reach his level.

On several different occasions, I have asked Jack if he wanted to pursue a professional career as a musician or as an electrician. Being both a friend and career coach, I availed myself to assist him pursue either of these professional endeavors, going so far as to offer to help him obtain business cards. He declined all such help. Perplexed by his response, I set out to learn why a person with such talent did not want to devote himself to honing a professional craft.

After asking a series of questions, I arrived at the conclusion that my friend genuinely enjoys learning how things work. That is the challenge and appeal for him. Once he figures out how “the thing” works, his journey is complete and he is ready to pursue a new quest.

I admire my friends’ “liberal arts” approach to life as it has helped him become really well rounded. However, my concern is that I am not sure the various knowledge he has acquired makes him appear highly qualified to a potential employer.

Talent can get you noticed, but without mastering your craft one can fall in to obscurity rather quickly. In my opinion, talent is a gift you did nothing to earn. For example, Jack’s uncanny ability to sit at a piano and quickly learn a song he only heard once is a talent; employing the discipline it takes to learn scales and apply them appropriately is a skill. Becoming scale proficient is a step toward mastery, though as Jack is uninterested in mastering a craft he remains highly talented but unskilled. Like beauty, talent will get you noticed, but mastering your craft will set you apart from your peers.

While it is good to know how to do many things well, there should be some subject matter you have learned or craft you have perfected, of which you could be considered a master. I have read many resumes where the author lists skills in which they have only a fundamental proficiency. For example, an applicant indicating they speak basic Spanish. This level of Spanish proficiency will not set you apart in a pool of applicants where individuals speak, read, and write Spanish fluently.

We exist in an employers’ market – meaning employers have the opportunity to select only the most qualified applicants. The closer you are toward mastering your craft, the better chance you have of being selected for an interview. For those individuals not looking for employment, being considered a master of your craft will also establish you as a valuable asset to the company.

My advice to anyone reading this blog is to revisit your skill set and determine the knowledge or principles you have mastered in your field. Next, list these on your resume in such a way as to ensure they stand out. If you are not yet a master of anything, it is never too late to become one. Seek out one of the career coaches at American Public University System to help you discover tools and resources that will broaden your skill set and place you on the road toward mastery. For those who have already honed a skill, a career coach can ensure your resume clearly demonstrates your mastery. Please contact careerservices@apus.edu today!

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