Does Everyone You Know, Know Everything You Do?

 

That might seem a strange question to have as the title of an article, but as is usually the case with anything I write about, it was initiated by something that happened.

A few days ago, I had a whatsapp conversation with a lovely lady who was in one of my courses, some years ago and continues to be on my email list. We had worked together for a week on her English and I remember her commenting on my editing ability, while we prepared a presentation she was to give.

As in her mind, she no doubt viewed me as an English teacher with translating and editing skills, imagine her surprise the other day when I related an experience of a very experienced consultant coming to me, after having been to 20+ interviews, going through my career course and being offered a position at the very next interview!

Do you see the connection to the question in the title?

No doubt, you know many people who really have little idea of what you do in your work, or who are only aware of the tiny part they have witnessed. 

An extreme example would be our children. “Oh, daddy (or mummy) goes to a big office every day and writes a lot of things on the computer. “ :-)

Other adults see us in the roles in which we might have personally interacted with them, as in the case just related. 

Someone who has worked with me to improve their English, using the You Can Do It! method in my book, might simply see me as an English teacher, with a great method that helps them to speak and understand English better, and to be more confident.

A person who knows a little more about my work and background, and has worked with me to help them translate a brochure or book to publish in English, might see me as an editor and translator. Others know me for preparing them for International Business Meetings and Presentations. 

What this 'Happening' made me realise is that few know me for the expertise I have of spending 13 years in HR Management and Training and having assisted many women to return to the workforce, following years at home raising their children, or of helping men who, after leaving the military, struggled to make the transition to a very different world of work. 

So why am I writing this? It is because my heart hurts that many people are having to find new roles because of the pandemic. I see many posts on Linked In about the “Stress of the interview process” and seeing the ‘advice' that is posted in reply. I know I could help, but to be able to do so, I need people to know that I can. 

Now here is one of the most interesting things about the whatsapp conversation mentioned, which underlines the point of “Everyone you know, not knowing everything you do.” The lady mentioned is still unaware that the Human Resources Manager of her company, at that time, who also did a course with me, not long after, asked me to prepare 10 of her employees for interview, when the company went through a restructure. What I a joy it was for me to help them to be confident and prepared for a 'stress-free' interview, and for a new future of possibilities.

So, back to my question. What about you? Does Everyone you know, know everything you do? Are there things that you could help people with, if they only knew that You Can Do It!?