People think that once you do multiple jobs, you should be called, ” Jack of all trades, master of none”. But what do you have to say about others that do multiple jobs and are good and productive in all? Jack of all trades, master of all? What Is The Job Title for Someone who does Multiple Jobs?
Employers in the 21st century would rather work with a flexible and versatile staff than a rigid person. Anybody that can do multiple jobs can think widely and multitask. Who wouldn’t want such persons in their team?
Wondering what name to give these persons? Let’s have a peek into the job of a secretary. They do the job of a personal adviser, sometimes, the job of a manager, in most cases, the job of a receptionist, and they still get to follow their boss to official meetings, keep records and support the administration of the organization. The job of a secretary is true, complex. Amazingly, they can also be responsible for hundreds of thousands of employees.
Titles can get confusing because people do different things. For instance, let’s look at the role of a human resource manager. Do you know that in small to medium businesses, they could have up to 100 to 300 human resource personnel? Specific role right? But what do you call people in an office that help with keeping track of new employees at the same time, helps with the marketing, they could have also studied accountancy in the university so, they handle employees payroll and keep track of employees presence and effectiveness at work. One person has numerous jobs.
Before we explain extensively what you could classify someone who does multiple jobs and provide a title for his resume or profile, let’s look at some attributes and characteristics of a person who does multiple jobs, the pros and cons.
Attributes of a person who does multiple jobs
- They can multitask. This means that they can do many things at the same time. It can be frustrating to do this but if they have their way around it, they’ll be sought after in the professional world.
- They are fast thinkers. Considering the nature of their job, they have to think fast and come up with solutions immediately. One second of obscurity could cause a significant downturn in their space which of course would affect the whole organization.
- They are great listeners. They have to be apt with their ears. The information they miss out on could be the missing block in the puzzle that they are trying to fix. So, their ears must work even from a thousand miles.
- They are smart workers. Excellence has to be their drive no matter how fast they work or how bulky their work can get. Knowing what to do that would make things easier and prevent chaos is one attribute they should possess.
- They are team players. Because their mind works too fast, they have to be team players, coordinating and making sure everyone is involved. If not, they’ll blow up. As much as they can do a lot of things, they still have to communicate their ideology with the team to make work easier.
Cons to a person who does multiple jobs
- They can get confused and frustrated about what to do about specific jobs. This can happen a lot of times without anyone knowing.
- They are so versatile that in some situations that require something simple, they try to complicate and overemphasize it. It’s not their fault though, it’s just how they think.
- They can get carried away easily and forget the fun in the job.
- They can get compelled to do what their mind thinks is right instead of what the boss says to do except they are well trained.
- They can break down easily from all the multi-tasking except they are great team players and they have the opportunity to delegate jobs to people.
So, if you’re trying to get a job title, don’t consider using the word, ” Jack of All Trades”. You might need that job title for your LinkedIn profile, your business card, your resume, or just to know what you are. Let’s dive into some great ideas to help you endorse the job title you want or let’s help you pick specific job titles for your staff.
The first question to ask yourself is, What do people think I do? Now, these people could be vendors, customers, clients, e.t c. What do they think you do? You could run a survey or stick to your observation and their communication.
If the job they are going for is focused on a client or vendor, they can take on the role of a marketing manager. This group of people would embrace the opinions and advice given to them by a marketing manager on running ads and retaining customers than that of a secretary or human resource manager even if the secretary is better in this field than the marketing manager and the human resource manager, better in customer relationship. This particular title is one of the many things they do but it is what the space they are in needs so, take on the role.
On the other hand, having the title, human resource manager would make more sense if the people that are in your space at that particular time need help with customer relationships and management of staff in the office. Applying as a financial account, in this case, doesn’t make sense even if you studied financial accounting. They need to keep track of their customers and maintain a healthy relationship with them. Aside from the buying and selling relationship, that’s not the role of an accountant.
What is your true level of experience?
In small or medium-sized businesses, their level of experience has a high role to play in the position they occupy. The business wants to know what they have done before and what they are capable of doing. The organization might even go as far as gathering testimonials by themselves from the previous places they worked in. No one wants to hire a liability. They would rather work with an experienced person. The job title you pick should be able to cover and answer all their questions. Do not leave them with a second to doubt your efficiency and experience.
They might be the top person in that space but they can choose the role of a manager instead of a vice president. This is not to reduce their efficiency but to emphasize their experience. And also, to leverage their strengths and roles in their past jobs. They would be more effective and more appreciated. The goal is not to occupy high or top positions but to make the best of that position.
No doubt, clients prefer talking to the person at the top but if they don’t have the experience and expertise for that level, they would flop. Also, they need to have the future in view. Would they go for this particular top position in the years to come or would they go for middle management based on their specialization?
Picking job titles for your employees:
In these modern times, you don’t see business cards like before. They’re not as popular as they were. We now have LinkedIn profiles and email addresses or signatures so as a boss, give your employees a little leverage and flexibility to explain what they do. You can guide them better if they are in a little bit of confusion on what role first is best but they need the freedom to fully express themselves in their field through their communication so that you can determine where they would function best. You have the final say but also consider their opinion.
Job titles can be complicated because they matter not only right now, but also in the future.
Therefore, records should be kept of your former employees and their area of expertise. This is fit reference sake and for testimonial sake too. People work in a particular organization and leave for another for different reasons. As a company, it is in your best interest to make sure that your employees are successful wherever they are.
Summary/Conclusion:
They could call themselves “Jack of all Trades” in private but not in the corporate world. No one would employ them. Employers would indeed love to work with someone that is very flexible and versatile but they wouldn’t want to work with someone that says, I can do anything. They should know what the organization needs and if it is part of the many things they can do, they can take up the role and also support the organization with other things they can do from that particular space.
Their impact would be felt and they won’t be laid off easily.
Frequently asked questions:
- What job title should I take? I can do multiple jobs.
Take up a role that the organization is starving for at that particular time that is your area of expertise. From that space, offer your versatility to the growth of the organization.
- How do I know my job title?
You could do a survey and ask people you have done business with over the years on what particular title they would give you as a result of the business you had with them.