It's not just about your resume,
brush up your story as well!
Author: Michael Lindner, Executive Recruiter
Though I’m currently an Executive Recruiter for Empowered Staffing, I spent the bulk of my career as a professional actor on stages in Chicago and across the United States. I’ve learned that whether pitching a candidate on a great role, an employer on a great candidate or performing in a 12 hour Shakespeare play (true story) I am a storyteller at my very core. Storytelling isn’t relegated to Netflix and Hulu, we are all collectively weaving a narrative about our lives, our friends, our habits, our likes/dislikes and especially our work whether consciously or not.
Over the next several weeks, many Americans have found that they will unexpectedly be searching for a new job. The first thing many of us will do is reach for our resume and… you should, but I would argue that building the story you tell employers and hiring managers, should be your first priority. Now is the time for serious self reflection; who are you as a professional and what have you contributed… what is your value add? How did you begin your career and what did the path look like that took you to where you are now?
Interviewing with recruiters and employers is a skill, and one that few of us have time to practice on a regular basis.
Here are three things to keep in mind when preparing to “get back in the saddle” and tell your story:
1) Work History & Profile: Provide a clear summary of what your company was working to accomplish and what your exact responsibilities were. Keep in mind that your recruiter/employer may not know your previous companies as well as you do, and remember that your work is unique and deserves explanation.
2) Accomplishments and Data: Have a cheat sheet ready to go for any interview with three clearly defined accomplishments. Ex: The company/client's pain point was “X”, my idea/innovation/Solution was “Y”, and the successful, measurable outcome was “Z”. Remember that executives & employers love to hear about data, return on investment and other quantifiable metrics that prove out your success.
3) Show off those soft skills: Employers don’t just want skilled employees, they want employees they will enjoy working with. When interviewing be friendly, be a good talker and an active listener and above all else, be authentic.
I love candidates that can clearly define themselves effectively and succinctly, allowing Hiring Managers time during the interview to dig into deeper, role-specific questions.
Why not practice? Write your story, practice in front of a mirror; get to the point that you know your story so well, that it naturally flows out of you in conversation.
If it's true that “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players”, then learn your part, study your lines and brush up your story!