Job crafting: what it is and how to go about it

You don’t have to wait around for a promotion – give one to yourself.

Most people do not realise you can grow your role while you are in your role.

Whatever position you are in, it’s like giving yourself a promotion.

Sometimes it’s called job crafting, but it’s about adding more to what you do.

In stead of being dumped on by your boss, take the initiative and start adding things that you want to add, such as more projects or more responsibility.

Take the initiative.

Don’t just wait there for a promotion or an opportunity to get a promotion.

If there are parts of your job you like more than others, try to take on more work in that space.

Then you can say: “my role has evolved into this, I think I need a new title and more money”.

Amanda Rose urges people to take control of their career trajectory. Picture: Monique Harmer

A lot of people are just employees instead of career movers.

They might kind of tweak their job, but they are on the back foot and they need to be on the front foot.

It doesn’t mean you have to climb the career ladder aggressively, just be smart.

People need to change how they see their roles and the opportunities within them, but you can’t do this unless you have a career plan.

They say dress for the role you want and this is a similar thing.

I have done this before.

I took on roles in projects and became experienced so by the end I could add that to my CV and get a better job.

My best tip when job crafting is: don’t whinge.

Even if you are in a position you are unhappy in, whinging is not going to do anything.

It will just make people not want to work with you or listen to you.

Also, don’t compare yourself to other people your age or in the company or on social media. This is your journey.

Don’t compare yourself on social media – this is your career journey. Picture: iStock

Whether you should talk openly about job crafting while at work depends on your supervisor.

If they tend to block you, you don’t want them to know you are trying to advance your career – just do it.

If they support you, however, you can talk to your supervisor and map out your future opportunities.

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every week.

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