The Secret to Being a Jack-of-All-Trades

Do you know someone who can do it all? They’re the person who can fix your car, help with your taxes, and repair your computer. We often call them a jack-of-all-trades, and they exist in the professional world too. Consider the colleague you might be able to call upon when you need help with a myriad of tasks such as accounting, proofing, and even creative thinking. Being a jack-of-all-trades makes you a huge asset to the teams you support. Here are four tips for taking on that role in the workplace and widening your skill set:  

1. Seek out new opportunities. Being a jack-of-all-trades means you are skilled in a variety of different functions. This is made possible by being open-minded and keeping your door open to new opportunities. By seeking out new and different projects, you can expand your knowledge and build an impressive skill set that will help you evolve in the workplace. 

You should expect the unexpected when it comes to the ever-changing world of business. Being motivated to seek new experiences and being explorative at work will shape you into a more well-rounded professional — one who is prepared for whatever project may end up on your desk.

2. Widen your network. Surround yourself with people who can teach you new skills. Consider shadowing a colleague who works in a completely different department from you. While your work may be very different, understanding their tasks can enable you to learn new things, which you may find useful in your role. 

Additionally, you can expand your network outside of the workplace. Ask your family and friends to share their workplace experiences and skills, and reciprocate and share your skills with them. These conversations may teach you skills you never imagined would be helpful to know.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although it may seem like the jack-of-all-trades is already the expert, it is always important to ask for help when needed. Being humble and asking colleagues to lend their expertise opens you up to the possibilities of growth and education. Whether it is relying on a colleague as a sounding board or scheduling a meeting for an in-depth project review, lean into these moments as opportunities to add to your own expertise. At The UPS Store, we pride ourselves on having a collaborative network of franchisees that can ask each other questions and share key learnings to improve their respective stores.

4. Broaden your hobbies outside of the office. Trying new things naturally broadens your skill set — and they don’t have to be directly related to work. By being explorative and willing to try new things in your personal life, you will be exposed to and learn different ways of thinking through new experiences.

Consider introducing yourself to a new form of exercise, learning about a new culture, or taking art classes. Although these skills may not seem directly related to your professional career, they can provide a fresh perspective and new way of thinking that could prove useful at work in interesting and unexpected ways.

Becoming a jack-of-all-trades can give you the competitive edge you need to remain relevant in the business world. Widening your skill set will allow you to evolve and stand out at work.