My resume is awesome. At least I think it is.
But according to recruiters, I’m scattered and unfocused.
I just can’t understand why they don’t appreciate the diverse skillset that comprises my resume. Don’t they see how well rounded and versatile I could be as a potential employee?
I don’t need to try and convince you that they don’t see any of that. In fact, long before human eyes have graced the pages of my application, a computer has already weeded me out on the basis of an algorithm and the keywords I failed to include.
I have the hardest time getting hired. Anywhere. For any job. Jobs that are commensurate with my experience level. Jobs that are slightly above me. And even jobs that are menial and that I am grossly overqualified for.
I’ve tried networking with friends and friends of friends. I’ve tried the LinkedIn Premium Job Seeker status that I even paid money for. I’ve worked with recruiters. I’ve worked with a professional resume writer. I’ve taken personality tests and strengths inventories.
So trust me when I tell you that I’ve tried it all.
I’m an intensely hard worker, thorough and more conscientious than the average person, extremely methodical, articulate and I get along well with others. Of the jobs I’ve held, I’ve always received extremely positive feedback about the quality of my work.
It’s convincing someone of all this that seems to be damn near impossible.
My path has been anything but traditional and definitely not linear. There have been many detours, mishaps and failed experiments, all of which taught me something valuable but were not the life-long career path I originally hoped they would be.
I never knew exactly what I wanted to do for a living and tried out many things. Along the way I learned a lot about what I didn’t want and slowly started to get an idea of what I did want.
I don’t regret for one second the hours I spent studying for the LSAT as an undergraduate with dreams of being a lawyer and mediator, only to be dashed by my low-test scores and a steady stream of rejection letters from law schools.
Or the two additional years I spent after graduation taking accounting courses, multiple attempts at the CPA exam and the couple thousand dollars on my credit card for the exam and test prep materials.
I tried self-employment full-time then went to part-time and then stopped, then started up again several years later, which is where I remain today.
I’ve tried office work, done manual labor, been a grocery store clerk, a purchasing manager, marital arts teacher, waitress, had numerous low-paying retail jobs, and even was a wellness center director for the federal government.
I’m scrappy and resourceful, picking myself up after many falls and making menial income out of nothing when I have to. When things get tough, I go into overdrive; pulling from every talent, passion, dream and shred of faith I possess to stay afloat.
I’ve had to diligently sift through and clear out layer upon layer of expectation and fear heaped upon me by culture, gender, and well meaning others to finally identify who I am, what my strengths are and what truly makes my heart sing.
Maybe your travels through jobs and careers resemble the meandering path that mine does.
If you look closely, there’s one common theme that my story is laced with, and perhaps yours is too.
I’m willing to bet that you have some amount of judgment for yourself for being on the winding path you’re on, believing that you’re supposed find that one career path and stick with it.
Being unable to find that elusive career and bouncing from job to job leaves you scrambling in the dust of your career-steady counterparts. Let me remind you that the idea that someone will stay in one job for 40 years is a myth but still holds sway, especially over those of us who are still searching.
I could try to comfort you by saying that your gifts are being created and shaped as you reinvent yourself in each job. I could also tell you that for some of us, it simply takes time, grit, sweat, tears and a whole lot of introspection to find our calling, but I don’t think that this will completely assuage the discomfort you feel.
Instead, we need to drop the judgment. Now. We need to let go of shoulds. Of comparing ourselves to others. Of thinking that if we’re not like “most people” that there must be something wrong with us, and that if we could only figure this out now, we would be ok.
Let me tell you something shocking: there’s nothing wrong with you or your varied career path.
Really. There isn’t.
It’s people like us who contribute creativity and innovation because of the diverse backgrounds we possess. We 
break up the homogeneous cubicles of uniform thought and stagnation in the work place and offer a freshness and richness that can only come from our diverse backgrounds.
Many businesses who want creative problem solvers and critical thinkers who are willing to think outside the box need to start looking at resumes like ours. We have many transferrable skills that can add great value.
So don’t underestimate the quality and value of your path. Don’t short-change yourself. Ever. Not even for a second. Don’t try to make yourself into someone you’re not. The world depends on and needs people like us.