By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – June 16, 2025
I recently did some work with a tradesman who wanted to reengage in the workforce. He had been stuck for some time and couldn’t seem to move forward. During our work together, we focused on removing the obstacles that were getting in his way. As we did, HIS obvious solution revealed itself, and he was able to move forward in a way that was most inspirational. Let’s see how he did it . . . .
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If you are looking for a job, the first “obvious” step you need to take is to write a resume; right? While that works for some people, for my client the process of written communication was in fact an obstacle. Given that he is a very hands-on and “visual” person, I coached him less around preparing a resume and more towards having an in-person experience, which is what he did.
He just showed up on site, bypassing Human Resources and going directly to the yard (it was a boat remodeling business). As he engaged family members of the small business in conversation, they expressed interest in him, so they directed him back to Human Resources with buzz words that he could use so they would recognize him as he went through their process.
Knowing there was interest and knowing he had to fit himself into the process (i.e., giving them a resume), something interesting showed up. He decided that, rather than write a resume, he would prepare a portfolio of before-and-after pictures of jobs he had completed. He was able to do this quickly and easily because it was so natural for him. Like a fish swimming in water, it was instinctive.
It was then that I had an aha, which is not uncommon as I frequently learn from those I work with. Here is what I took away from our work together.
When we began to pay attention to the purpose of a resume, we realized it is all about communicating capabilities. For many professionals like attention coaches, capabilities are intangible and can only be described in words. However, for tradesmen, artists, architects, etc., capabilities are more tangible and easily communicated visually. Given that the tradesman organizes things visually, it was easier to communicate his capabilities visually via a portfolio.
In the end, we learned that my client’s obvious solution was not to write a resume, but rather to put together a portfolio. His obvious solution was based on HOW he works. Writing is not his dominant way of organizing and processing information, as he is much more visual, so what worked for him is based on HOW he works.
Next time you’re stuck, consider paying attention to HOW you work and find a solution based on that criteria, just like my client the tradesman did. You just might find YOUR obvious solution, which might not have seemed obvious before you started.