You Are "The Mechanic"
by Trevor Calton
Most people approach the job search like this:
“I hope someone picks me.”
They list out their accomplishments. They tweak their resume. They cross their fingers and hope they get noticed.
But what if that’s the wrong approach?
What if instead of being the product, you were the mechanic?
Here’s What That Means
A mechanic doesn’t wait around hoping someone likes them. They listen. They diagnose. They fix things.
They don’t say, “Pick me.” They say, “Here’s the problem I solve.”
That’s how you need to show up in your career.
You’re Not Just a Candidate. You’re a Solution.
When you start thinking like a mechanic, everything shifts.
You begin asking:
- “What challenges is this company facing right now?”
- “How can I make someone’s job easier?”
- “What results do I know how to deliver?”
This changes how you write emails. How you introduce yourself. How you show up in interviews.
You're not trying to impress. You're trying to help.
Employers Don’t Hire Resumes, They Hire Relief
They hire the person who makes the problem go away. The one who gets it. Who shows up like a partner, not a pitch.That’s what thinking like a mechanic does. It gets you remembered, respected, and hired.
Try This Exercise
Right now, ask yourself:
“What are three problems I know how to solve?”
Then ask:
“Who has those problems?”
That’s your real target list. Not job titles. Not companies. Not departments.
Problems. Solutions. Connection.
This Works Internally, Too
If you’re already employed and looking to move up. Don’t just wait for a role to open.
Start identifying:
- Gaps in communication
- Projects falling through the cracks
- Work that’s being delayed or dropped
Then step in. Offer help. Fix what’s broken.
That’s how promotions happen.
The Bottom Line
You're not just a job seeker. You're a problem-solver. You're the mechanic.
So stop waiting to be chosen. Start showing up as the person who makes things better.
Learn the Full CBIO Framework
Career Building from the Inside Out teaches you how to reframe your entire approach to work, so you’re not just hoping for a job, but building long-term opportunity.
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