How do you feel when you are in a phase in which you are actively looking for jobs? Hopeful? Anxious? Edgy, perhaps? There are a plethora of feelings that can make us feel nervous and stressed as if we are in a painfully long exam. In such a frame of mind, it is easy to fumble in an interview, which is often followed by a series of make-believe conversations in the shower, of all the wise things you could have possibly said.
But with the moment passed, there’s nothing your fictitious conversations can do to go back in time and improve your interview. What is the most common question every interviewer asks you? As a rule, almost every employer will ask you to narrate your career stories, though not necessarily in those words.
Career stories aren’t a verbal narration of your resume; your employer doesn’t need that. These are tales of your struggles and triumphs and your own career path, and the more interesting it is, the better your chances are, of getting hired.
Here’s how you can narrate your career stories effectively.
Start by sharing how you got interested in your field
Riddhima Seal, a senior media professional, always looks out for employees who are passionate about their work. “When I am interviewing candidates for a position, I want to ensure they will like their jobs. I suggest starting your career stories by talking about how you got interested in your field. Was it poetry that enchanted you with words? Were you inspired by the stories of entrepreneurs that got you interested in pursuing an MBA? That’s what I want to know.”
A story like that will never fail to impress your employer and will also sound much more interesting to hear.
Take a top-down approach
Most people talk about their latest experiences and then go on to share their past experiences. However, a top-down approach will help you build your narrative in a much more powerful and concise manner. “Decide what is the plot of your career story, and how you would like to talk about your key achievements, against time,” Seal advises.
“I would be much more intrigued by a candidate’s journey that starts from where their career began. It reflects their perspective of their career trajectory, and such kind of self-awareness is always a valuable soft skill to seek in a teammate,” Seal adds.
Talk about your goals and your achievements
When narrating your career stories, your objective should be to highlight your achievements. However, the best way to do that is to start by sharing what your goals were, and how you achieved them.
Having said that, not many of us have career graphs with all highs and no lows. You can be honest about the setbacks and how you are or were determined to get things back on track. “I think they should be honest, especially when the graph is not going so good,” Kadambari Srivastava, who heads an entire team at a beauty brand, revealed.
“At the same time, being honest and accepting about the fact that you may be floundering does not mean that you should be a walkover and allow people to shit over you. Be mindful of your graph, make an effort towards improving it, and find the right people who can train you,” she further adds.
Link your experience to the position
Finally, you should connect the dots between your experience and the job you are seeking. Your narrative should reflect the qualities that the employer seeks. For instance, if you are moving on to a leadership role, talk about the things you were single-handedly responsible for, the impact or the change you brought in, your management and interpersonal skills.
“When we are hiring an individual, we look for way more than just prior experience. If you are moving up the ladder, you should be able to exhibit traits that will convince us that you are capable of learning and growing in the position we offer,” Seal explains.
Rehearse
Once you are thorough with how you want to narrate your career stories, practice so you don’t fumble and end up saying things that do not oil the wheels of your application. While rehearsing, focus on your body language, your tone and ensure you speak engagingly. However, remember to keep it casual, even if you end up almost mugging the story, else it might be evident in your speech. Finally, smile and be confident.
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