HOW TO use your skills to crush it at work

Step #1: Jot down all the tasks you’ve done (aka the brain dump)

And we mean all of ‘em including:

• Daily tasks - examples: making meals, driving others to/from appointments, paying bills
• Things you might not think of as care (that totally are) - examples: remote tech support, pet sitting, planning an event

Volume is your friend ‘cause you’ve probably done a lot AND each task could become a skill that connects to a specific role or opportunity.

Step #2: Turn tasks into skills

Connect each task to skills that pack a punch. (Talent Show helps you do this.)

• Talking with doctors/insurance → problem solving, research
• Making appointments → coordination, project management
• Getting a second opinion → conflict resolution, advocacy

Think about what each skill looks like in action and what it leads to. Example: ‘Manage multiple schedules to keep everyone aligned and informed.’ That's not ‘just’ caregiving. That's project management under a lot of intensity.

Step #3: Link your skills to the opportunity in front of you

Whether it's a job posting, a promotion conversation, or a performance review, bring your skills with you.

• Think about the jobs or promotions you want.
• Research the skills they're looking for. Match those to the skills you have.
• Draft examples you feel good saying out loud
  • When a posting says: ‘Familiarity with how AI is transforming marketing workflows’
  • Your version could be: ‘Expert in using AI and other tools to research treatment options, brainstorm solutions, and optimize daily routines as part of the caregiving I do.’

Bottom line: caregiving is a credential. The intensity of it — the high-stakes decisions, the logistics, the emotional complexity — prepares you for professional opportunities and advancement. Talk about it that way.

Step #4: Practice with a friend

Get your answers center-stage ready by rehearsing them with someone you trust.

• Name the role - ‘I am a full-time caregiver for [someone else, a couple of people, etc.]…’
• Name the skills - ‘In that role, I have to stay organized, solve problems on the fly, and adapt to whatever comes up…’
• Connect them to the job and results - ‘For example, I coordinate doctors’ visits, lab work, and transportation for someone else. Organization is crucial to juggling so many moving parts and keeping us on track — which is the same kind of expertise I’d bring to this role.’