Guest Kelly Parker, marketing professional and host of “Business Storytelling Made Easy” Podcast, shares tips on creating an authentic career story, connecting past experiences to the present, highlighting transferable skills, and effectively communicating qualifications.
Highlight transferable skills and frame the story to emphasize relevant strengths for a career pivot.
Reframe the narrative when transitioning back into a previous career field by focusing on diverse experiences and valuable skills acquired.
Deep dives
Importance of Cohesive Storytelling in Career Pivots
When making a career pivot, it is important to connect the dots between past experiences and the desired direction. This can be achieved by highlighting transferable skills and framing the story to emphasize strengths and experiences relevant to the new career path. It is crucial to consider the audience and understand what they would be interested in hearing to make the story compelling and effective.
Positioning Past Experiences in a Positive Light
When transitioning back into a previous career field after taking a detour, it is essential to reframe the narrative and avoid apologizing for the path taken. Instead of viewing detours as setbacks, one should focus on the diverse experiences gained and how they enhance creativity, innovation, and the ability to leverage strengths from different areas. Taking ownership of the journey and highlighting the valuable skills acquired can bridge perceived gaps and convey readiness for the desired role.
Crafting a Non-linear Career Journey Story
A less linear career journey can still be effectively communicated by focusing on key skills and expertise areas. Instead of following a chronological order, it is recommended to highlight the top skills or areas of expertise that position oneself favorably in the current career goals. By providing concrete examples and anecdotes that demonstrate proficiency in these areas, one can create a coherent and memorable story.
How do you create an authentic story that establishes your credibility, talents, and fit? While there is no easy answer, Kelly Parker, marketing professional trained at global enterprises like Sherwin-Williams and American Greetings, TEDx speaker, and host of “Business Storytelling Made Easy” Podcast, believes that a simple, well-told story can help you pivot your career, receive a promotion, and land funding for you startup. Yet many people create stories that just do not work. In this CareerCast, Kelly shares how to understand your talents, skills, and areas of positive differentiation, elevate your message to reach your audience, and do so with honesty, integrity, and sincerity.
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