Can you be a generalist in the workplace? - with Steph Gillies of Destination Dream Job

Apr 8, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Steph Gillies, a Career Story Coach with a rich history of 32 jobs across 15 years, dives into the world of generalists in the workplace. She shares insights on the fear of specialization and the nuances of crafting a unique career narrative. Discover how to leverage diverse experiences on your resume and the importance of showcasing hobbies. Steph also outlines effective strategies for job seekers, particularly those navigating the challenges of layoffs and transitions, making this a must-listen for multi-passionate professionals.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Career Paths: The Generalist Journey

01:40 • 8min

Navigating Career Transitions Post-Layoff

09:24 • 18min

Navigating the Job Market as a Generalist

27:09 • 15min

Navigating Job Searches and Company Culture

42:24 • 7min

Transforming Entrepreneurial Experiences into Job Opportunities

49:00 • 2min

Exploring Resources for Workplace Multi-Potentialites

50:36 • 3min

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#203: Steph Gillies is a Career Story Coach and professional writer. She explains the non-linear nature of careers, the three stages of finding a new career, and how to make yourself stand out.

What you’ll learn

[01:45] How Steph worked 32 jobs in 15 years.
[03:30] The fear of specialisation as a multi-passionate person.
[04:51] What makes someone a generalist.
[7:26] The opportunities to become a generalist within a specialised field.
[8:10] What it’s like working in short job positions with high turnover rates.
[9:40] Common thoughts to have if you’ve been laid off.
[12:06] How to combine jobs in your resume to improve the presentation.
[13:40] How recruiters respond to combining jobs in your resume.
[15:18] The non-linear nature of careers.
[19:14] The three stages of finding a new career.
[20:38] How to identify what makes you unique.
[23:45] Why you should include your hobbies on your resume.
[24:37] How to gain clarity in what career you want to be in.
[27:21] The type of positions a generalist should apply for.
[29:26] How many types of jobs you should target.
[31:10] The best jobs for generalists.
[32:52] How to know what to focus on in your CV.
[36:10] Why your resume needs to be clear.
[37:55] What to write on your CV if you’ve taken time off to look after family.
[43:08] How to know what a job will be like.
[46:16] How generalists can change organisations.
[46:57] How long it takes to assess the suitability of an organisation.
[49:10] Writing entrepreneur resumes.

Resources mentioned in this episode
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For the show notes for this episode, including a full transcript and links to all the resources mentioned, visit:

https://changeworklife.com/can-you-be-a-generalist-in-the-workplace/

Re-assessing your career? Know you need a change but don't really know where to start? Check out these two exercises to start the journey of working out what career is right for you!