The ‘jack of all trades’ comeback

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

Today, let’s explore what’s trending in the green job market across Africa.

You’ve probably heard the phrase: ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.

It’s often used to describe someone who is versatile, able to handle many different tasks, but not necessarily specialised in just one area.

Over the years, this phrase has been interpreted in different ways. Recently, it has been showing up again in how organisations hire.

I recently spoke with a recruiter who handles thousands of applications each year. 

She said many employers, especially those running lean teams, are prioritising people who can take on multiple responsibilities.

That doesn’t mean quality doesn’t matter. It does. Employers still want strong performance, they just want it across more than one function.

Instead of building large departments, some organisations are choosing smaller teams made up of people who can support different areas as needs shift. 

This reduces the cost and complexity of hiring many separate roles. 

When employers find someone who can do this well, they are often willing to pay well for it.

This is part of what we call transferable skills, which we will explore in a future newsletter.

So if you’re early in your career, this is important to note. Being multi-skilled or adaptable and willing to learn across functions is no longer a disadvantage. 

In many organisations today, it’s exactly what makes you valuable.

Being multi-skilled helps organisations operate with fewer employees by distributing work more efficiently, without slowing things down.

For professionals, it also creates flexibility. You can move between functions, support different teams, and stay valuable as priorities change.

To get insider tips on what recruiters look for in your CV and job applications, check out the video below by a hiring expert.