Early in my resume writing career, I wrote resumes for a large number of local television media on-air personalities and reporters in news, sports, and even weather. During time, I learned the jargon and insider details from the media industry. (My clients are also often my teachers!)
For instance, I learned how television market rankings are defined. Did you know that each area has its own market ranking. Wausau, Wisconsin (where I live) has a market ranking of 135. New York tops the list at #1. (Surprise?) Television reporters, anchors, sports reporters, and even meteorologists rarely can make large market jumps. Back then, I had a meteorologist jump from the Wausau market at 131 to Grand Rapids, MI at 31. That’s a huge jump! It might have been a little easier in the weather field because of the specialized skills that a meteorologist has but still an accomplishment.
At the same time, I worked with a number of sports reporters and many of them became friends. One, in particular, taught me terms that cross over into news reporting too. “One-Man-Band.” Used as a verb, a reporter that is one-man-banding will both shoot a story and do the reporting. This is harder than having a cameraman with the reporter because the reporter has to concentrate on positioning the camera, doing the on-air commentary with the appropriate background, and interviewing subjects for the piece.
With the current economy, I worked with a number of reporters this summer, who were one-man-banding the stories for Wausau Whitewater. It is more cost-effective to send one person than two when costs are scrutinized by station management and advertisers may be reluctant because of the economic downturn.
Business owners, like myself, often try to one-man-band it too. We try to be all things to our business, accountant, marketer, sales, web designer, social media expert, as well as whatever our actual business does. Recently, I have been trying to be a little less of a one-man-band and outsource to professionals who can leverage my time better. For years, I struggled with trying to get some glitches in my QuickBooks straightened out so my balance sheet would read right. My income and expenses were correct and the checking account was fine but I had old entries for accounts that were long closed messing up the balance sheet. Finally, through a connection from my Christian Business Leaders group, I asked Kathy Ross from Bottomline Bookkeeping to look things over. She did, and decided that I could optimize my time best by seeing Glen Erdman with Vanden Heuvel, CPAs. He took my QuickBooks company and fixed everything with only 3 hours work. By being a one-man-band, I was depriving myself of correct financial records that help me keep a handle on my business and would be a huge asset if I ever wanted a loan for my business or even myself. I have other ways I am working on not being a one-man-band right now. The investment in improving my financial records was well worth it.
Job seekers often do the same thing. They try to be a one-man-band and do it all themselves. Fear of asking for help or paying for professional career marketing communications and resume writing help often deprives them of being in position to make the career move they desire. For unemployed jobseekers, the temptation is to not invest in career help in fear of not being able to pay next month’s rent or mortgage payment. But if that investment could shorten the job search, how much does it cost you to try to one-man-band your career management strategies?
For me, I am working on leveraging my resumes and becoming less of a one-man-band so I can do what I do best – help others reach their career goals.
One should always look above the situation and see what works. If one-man band proves worthy then it should be the path. If otherwise, then is should be departed. One should always look for the best approach.
You’re right… there’s times it is just fine. But sometimes you spend more of your time that could be generating income or just spent in better pursuits because you are not the best person for the job. I think if you take some time and weigh the pros and cons of how long it will take you, it becomes a better choice.