With the economy beginning to rebound, professionals are looking to make strategic moves in their careers. Many are questioning whether it’s time to diversify their career experience in another area or remain where they are, becoming an expert in one, specific arena.

1. To Diversify or Specialize?That is the Question
by
Jamie McCann
Executive Senior Partner– Sales & Marketing Division
www.lucasgroup.com
With the economy beginning to rebound, professionals are looking to make strategic moves in their
careers. Many are questioning whether it’s time to diversify their career experience in another area
or remain where they are, becoming an expert in one, specific arena.
As time and technology have evolved, so have employers’ business strategies and organizational
hierarchies. Companies are now looking for experts to lead initiatives and pave the road for them to
continue to successfully emerge from the downturn. Rather than being proficient in a number of
disciplines, companies are looking to hire demonstrated masters of a craft—professionals with
proven track records of success in their industry who can hit the ground running and lead with
confidence.
While economic conditions are improving, the marketplace isn’t in the clear. For now, build on the
experience that you have established to be a specialist rather than a generalist. Remain focused on
filling your experience vault with valuable skills that establish you as a topic expert. Continue to
evaluate your skillset to identify areas of potential weaknesses and work to turn them into strengths.
Also, consider where you are in your career and where you would like to be. Then, once the dust
settles and industries are once again robust and stable, look outside of the box to diversify.
As an advertising and marketing recruiter working with both candidates and hiring managers
through the executive search process, I invite you to share your feedback on career diversification.
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