Thought sky-high income was exclusive to specialists? Think again. Anyone can be a high-earning generalist.
Gone are the days when scoring a successful career meant being a specialist in one particular field.
Employers are now looking for people who can wear multiple hats and have a diverse range of skills. Being a generalist is not only attractive to employers but can also lead to higher income.
Here are 7 rock solid ways to become a high-earning generalist.
Develop A Diverse Range Of Experience
Being a generalist means having a diverse range of experience and skills across multiple fields. You should strive to develop a basic knowledge of many different topics so that you can work across departments with ease.
Some of the most lucrative jobs require skills that include digital marketing, project management, and data analysis.
The more skills you have, the more opportunities you’ll have to offer value to an employer.
Highlight Transferable Soft Skills
Soft skills are subtle yet significant. To be a high-earning generalist, you need to highlight your transferable soft skills to show your ability to adapt and be successful in different environments.
Transferable soft skills such as collaboration, leadership, and time management never go out of style and can help you stand out in a competitive pool of applicants.
Network
Networking is critical for success in any field. The more people you know, the more you increase your likability, and the more your work speaks for itself, the more opportunities may come your way.
To continually add to your network, attend conferences, networking events, and beef up your professional brand by creating a knockout portfolio and a professional LinkedIn that is chock-full of accolades.
Be Adaptable
A generalist needs to be adaptable and open to change. You should be able to work in different environments and with different teams.
In a way, job-hopping can be a roundabout strategy to demonstrate adaptability by being able to seamlessly integrate into any company (even though it tends to be frowned upon still).
Being an intentional generalist requires flexibility and the willingness to learn new things quickly. And being adaptable also means saying yes to opportunities that extend beyond your comfort zone.
Take on projects that challenge you and allow you to learn more.
Leverage Communication Skills
You must communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and industries if you want to be a high-performing generalist.
Communication skills are especially crucial for generalists as they need to liaise between departments, explain concepts, and convey ideas.
Being able to effectively communicate complex ideas to a wide audience will pay in spades and help you become an indispensable member of any team.
Be A Problem-Solver
Hone your problem-solving skills.
Companies want employees who can think critically and find innovative solutions to complex issues. To be a high-earning generalist requires you to solve problems in a variety of areas that will make you a valuable asset to any team.
When you’re facing a communication breakdown, your knack for finding creative solutions will help you achieve success in any role.
That said, sharpen your problem-solving skills if you wish to be a high-earning generalist.
Stay Current
To be a high-earning generalist, you need to stay on top of trends and maintain a solid understanding of in-demand skills.
This will also allow you to identify opportunities and areas where you can add value to a company. A good way to stay up-to-date is to attend industry conferences, read blogs, and connect with colleagues.
The Takeaway
Becoming a high-earning generalist requires networking, a broad range of skills, an ability to adapt seamlessly, a knack for problem-solving, and impressive communication skills.
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