CAREER STRATEGY: IT PAYS TO DIVERSIFY

Would you risk your life savings, every single penny, on a single stock? Most likely not, putting all of your eggs in one basket is too risky. Most people have a one-track mindset regarding their career, selling themselves short by only pursuing interests in a single area.

This method has been working up until recently. According to conventional wisdom, you'll never be out of a job if you excel at one thing. Although in the past, a successful career depended largely on position-related skills, nowadays, it is vital to have a well-rounded skills portfolio.

Skill is obviously important to employers, but what they really should be looking for is talent. What they truly are searching for, especially in today's hyper-competitive market, is a versatile breed of cat with a broad range of abilities that can be applied to many fields.

If you doubt me, go and observe any meeting where the best employees participate. You're likely to encounter a sales manager considering the benefits of XML technology, an engineer discussing the benefits of strategic collaboration, or a CFO weighing the pros and cons of co-branding.

In other words, with organizations flattening, each individual contributor is expected to do more. As a result, versatility has gone from being fashionable to being an essential element in successful professional growth.

Now, I'm not saying you should become an expert in everything. However, to reach top-percentile standing in today's competitive employment market, you'll need a greater range of abilities at your disposal.

Look for areas of weakness or "blind spots" on your current resume, and try to turn them into assets. You'll enhance your market value by gaining expertise in areas that used to be the province of "somebody else." The more diverse your skill set is, the less likely you are to pigeonhole yourself.

I'm not suggesting you should abandon your focus or niche. However, if you want to stay ahead of the curve and increase your employability, you need to cultivate a greater range of talents. By doing so, you'll be better prepared to take advantage of the next big opportunity that comes your way.

If you're looking for ways to make yourself more versatile, here are a few suggestions:

• Take on new assignments at work, even if they're outside of your comfort zone.

• Seek out opportunities to learn new skills.

• Get involved in extracurricular activities that will broaden your skill set.

• Attend industry events and networking functions.

• Read industry publications and blogs to stay up-to-date on trends.

You can make yourself an invaluable asset to any organization by making a concerted effort to become more versatile. In today's ever-changing business landscape, the ability to adapt is more important than ever. By expanding your skill set, you'll be better equipped to handle whatever challenges come your way.

Don't let yourself get stuck in a rut. By diversifying your skills, you can stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for success in today's competitive job market.