Be the Job Description

I have always gotten a laugh when some of you people (I love saying – you people) in the higher pay grades ask about a job description.  Why do you do that?  Don’t do that.

There is no job description.  You ARE the job description.  But I would like to know what I will be doing, what I can become.  OK.  LISTEN.

You know I struggle to come up with new flavors of kool-aid for you but – wow, you got to stop asking this question.  Bottom line it isn’t about the job description is it? - what is it?  your insecurity?  Your need for a piece of paper?  Your desperate need for reassurance because you don’t really want to leave where you are?  Your need for some level of job security that your grandfather knew in days gone by?  Let’s just call it something like that or we can ignore it if you like.  Wait, we can’t ignore it.

The job description that you desire looks more like a crystal ball.  In lieu of said ball – let’s just mix in questions that reveal what you would be doing and note the answers as you look in the whites of the boss’s eyes.  Let’s just file away the boss’s expectation as to what you will need to do.  Do you trust this potential boss?  Then, let’s believe it.  Let’s have a philosophy check – do they align?  Look at the environment.  The people.   If you need over reassurance, stay with the devil you know. 

Let’s look at Peyton Manning for instance.  I was very interested to learn that the Colt’s Offensive Coordinator calls in a “concept” not a play.  Can you imagine #18 going now wait a minute – is this a run or would you like me to pass?  They pay Manning to decide what it should be and your company does the same.  Manning knows one thing – he has his concept and 11 guys are looking to kick his ass in a few seconds.  You know, just like your typical workday.  

Do you want a commodity job or do you want to make an impact?  Commodity jobs have really good job descriptions.  Career changing opportunities are for people you can’t really describe.  They are just good.  There assessments show it and they know it.  They know who they are.

Hey, Mr. Job Seeker – I have your real job description right here – the philosophy and expectations of the boss that you uncover through REAL discussion and – the mirror.