How to tell your ‘career story’ in a way that lands you a new job
If you’re looking for a new job this year, you’ll greatly improve your chances if you craft a narrative that tells your story clearly, honestly, and convincingly. While its form and length may vary, this narrative will be the script you deliver to your friends, influencers, recruiters, and hiring managers.
Decide on your story line
An overall story about yourself including where you are coming from, what you’re seeking, why you feel ready to take on a new role, etc.
- Each conversation you have-each networking meeting, each interview, each answer you give-should be shaped by this story
Structure your scripts
For each occasion, design a script that has four parts: an opening, a grabber, a message and reasons for support, engagement and engagement
- This four-part structure can be used for every conversation in your job hunt and will enable you to come across as a well-prepared candidate with clearly defined goals
Learn your lines
Find a quiet place and mentally review the script
- Focus on the structural components
- Deliver it to yourself until you can do so without looking at the paper
- Practice delivering in front of a coach, friend, or family member
- Record yourself with your phone or computer
Develop your character
Figure out what your true and best qualities are.
- Enthusiasm, passion, confidence, resilience, humility, empathy, and respectfulness
- Show that you learn from each experience and get results
- Tell your story – not just your work experience, but also what you’ve learned
Have a message
A strong and consistent message about yourself will energize every one of your conversations
- The encounters you’ll have on your job journey should not be viewed as one-off events
- You’ll succeed only when all those meetings reflect the unity and coherence of your message