Being an In Transition Work Girl has provided some eye-opening moments for me. There have been several to date, but the biggest one seems to be how I am labeled. I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished since I graduated college, but there is one little label that seems to be holding me back.
What is it? I am being labeled based on the industry I am in rather than my skill set/degree. I have to admit, I feel a bit stuck. My background is in marketing and I have held various positions within both agencies and industries. However, the one thing that seems to keep defining me is the industry I am currently in. I might add I have held this position for only two years and it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Am I the only working girl facing this problem?
Here is an example: A few weeks ago I contacted a friend who works at a big company in the city where I hope to relocate to see if she knew of any openings. Given that her company is one of the fastest growing in the world, she immediately sent me the postings for the area of the company that fits my current industry. I felt helpless because how am I supposed to say thank you for your help, but you have it all wrong.
When I accepted the position I am in currently, it was because the word “marketing” was attached to my role. I viewed the position based on what I would be marketing not because I loved the industry. There are many that would probably see the industry I am in as amazing, but I just don’t have the passion for it at this point in my life. I am young and crave more of a corporate environment.
So over the last several weeks, I have tried to put on my thinking cap and figure out how to market myself. I am trying to overcome this label that has me pigeonholed and I see as a major road block for the next step in my career.
What are some of the labels you are experiencing as a working girl that you would rather get rid of?
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3 comments:
I'm labeled as the "little girl" of the office because I'm the youngest (24) and my boss is sexist. He literally directs people to go to the "little girl" down the hall when they come in to see me. :/ He has asks me jokingly if he can call me that (he knows I hate it) and I always say, no call me Jill but he never does.
Be very direct with what you're looking for, and if it seems you're making a change, address that. I'm currently ending a job in nonprofit and moving out of state to pursue a very different path. So when I network or ask for help, I very specifically say, "I am pursuing a transition out of the nonprofit sector into corporate community relations. I believe I have the transferable skill set to be successful in the role....."
Good luck!
I would be happy to help you. I am currently in the process of launching a "marketing" company aimed at helping individuals get the jobs they want by learning to market themselves.
I would be more than happy to look at your resume and have a conversation about what you've done and where you want to go. We can probably come up with a way to highlight your skills as they relate to your "dream job".
Shoot me an email at elizajaneyourself@gmail.com
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