The Way Your Tell Your Story Makes All The Difference

Ready to take the leap into a new work-life or business? Discover how the way you tell your story can make all the difference in your success.  This blog offers tips for acing a job application, CV, interview, or investor pitch and deck.

Hey friend! 

Whether you’re considering a career change, starting a business, or simply exploring new opportunities, the way you tell your story is crucial. Your story is not just a summary of your past experiences—it's a narrative that defines who you are, what you stand for, and where you’re heading. Let’s explore how to craft and present your story in a way that makes a powerful impact.

The Power of Your Story

When you're making a significant change in your work-life, your story bridges the gap between where you’ve been and where you want to go. It connects your past experiences with your future aspirations, making it easier for others to understand your journey and see the value you bring.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

1. Start with a Clear Message

Identify your core message. Determine the main point you want to convey. For a career change, this might be your mission or the reason behind your shift.

Example: “I’m an engineer with over a decade of experience delivering mentoring, training, and coaching diverse groups of people”

2. Understand Your Audience

Know who you’re speaking to. Tailor your story to the needs and interests of your potential employers, clients, or investors.

Example: Emphasise how your background equips you to do the tasks of the role of business.  For example if you’re starting a tech business, you might highlight your sector knowledge from your past career.  Or if you’re career changing into project management, you might highlight how you’ve developed the necessary skills and experience in a different setting.

3. Create a Relatable Hero’s Journey

It’s really important that you own your story, and feel good about yourself.  You are the heroine. Frame your career change as a journey where you face challenges, learn new skills, and emerge stronger.

Example: “In my engineering role, I realised I was passionate about sustainability. Despite the challenges, I pursued additional training and now I’m ready to make a bigger impact.”

4. Use Contrast to Highlight Change

Then vs. now. Show the contrast between your past role and your new direction to highlight growth and transformation.

Example: “In my previous job, I focused on optimising machinery. Now, I’m driven to optimise entire organisations towards sustainability.”

5. Use Data and Stories

So many CV’s and applications that I review are all personality and no substance, or vice versa.  Combine facts with emotion. Support your narrative with relevant data but also include personal stories to make it relatable.

Example: “Studies show that sustainable practices can reduce costs by 20%. In my last project, I implemented a solution that saved my company £20,000 annually.”

7. Practice Delivery

Rehearse your story. Practice telling your story out loud to ensure it flows well and resonates with your audience.  Tell it to trusted others, and take feedback on what works and want doesn’t/

Example: “Rehearse your story with a friend or mentor to get feedback and make adjustments.”

Conclusion

Crafting a compelling story for your career change isn’t just about listing your past jobs; it’s about connecting the dots between what you’ve done and what you want to do. By focusing on your mission, highlighting transferable skills, creating a strong personal statement, and showcasing relevant achievements, you can make a powerful case for why you’re the perfect fit for your new career path.

Remember, your story is powerful. It defines who you are and where you’re heading. Embrace it and share it with the world.

Read from the start of this 6 part series if you’d like to learn more about finding your personal mission, and using your full potential to make an impact and thrive in your work-life.

If you’d like some help to find your mission and tell your story to create a more fulfilling work-life, then take a look at the mission impact coaching and weekend workshops.

Stay tuned for more tips and insights on making a successful career change. Let’s create a work life you’re fulfilled and excited about every single day.