I apologize in advance for the nature of this post. It is going to come across as “whining” no matter how I spin it. I’m okay with that though, because I do feel that I have a really important point to put out. So…

…I ask you: have you ever been put in a box?

No, not a literal box. If that has happened to you…I’m confused, and I absolutely want to hear more, but not here. What I mean is, has anyone decided your limits? I’ve had people try to decide that for me at every stage of my career.

Post-grad, people asked me, “why aren’t you in the art field?” I responded adamantly that I was great at organization and project management and that there was limited money available in the art realm, but was told, “artists don’t have a good track record with those things! You should stick to being an artist.”

I became the Franchise Coordinator a worldwide fitness organization.

When I tried to move into marketing initially, they told me, “you don’t have any experience in an agency!” I responded with the fact that I had to market my photography business and had been designing strategies for gallery shows for years. They told me, “that doesn’t count, you should stay in operations / project management / administrative work.”

I earned an entry-level role at an agency and was promoted in under a year.

When I began writing my novel and focusing more heavily on my writing in general, critics told me, “you aren’t good enough. Go back to marketing.” I sighed. And sighed. And SIGHED!

What people don’t understand about people other than themselves is that people can be more than one thing.

I am a marketer.

I am a project manager.

I am a killer writer.

I get things done. I do not define myself by limiting job titles. I am whatever I want to be.

In short, people are more than their current role. People are more than the box that they sit in. People do not belong in boxes.

I have many friends looking for new positions right now. Many of these professionals are in the “wrong field.” Why? Because they graduated at an unfortunate time, they got stuck in a job they dislike or do not have a real passion for and they are now finally able to financially make the shift towards their true purpose. This is not an abrupt shift of focus; it is development! And, I realize it’s not a common thing to consider, but I wanted to mention one more thing…

If you hire someone with varied experience, they will have more ideas to offer you. They’ve seen things. They’ve done things that you may never do. Sure, they might not have the degree or direct experience in your industry, but what they do have is a clear head and a lot of potential.

I am writing this post today in support of those humans. The ones your ATS rejects automatically. Give them a chance. Often, they turn out to be some of the highest achievers.