Stop Rambling: Build a Career Story
I recently sat in on an interview for an executive role. The candidate was asked to share his background, and he started… in childhood. Camping trips, early entrepreneurial spirit, every job he’d ever held — all the way up to the one before his current role.
Then he stopped.
The interview panel’s follow-up question?
“So… can you tell us about your relevant experience to this role?”
He lost the room. Not because he lacked experience, but because he lacked a story.
One of the most important parts of interview prep is building a crisp, intentional narrative. And you need two versions:
The story of your career — a 5-minute overview of how you built your skills.
How your skills directly map to the job you’re applying for.
Let’s break this down.
1. The Story of Your Career
Your story should highlight your growth, your strengths, and the skills you want to be known for — nothing more.
Here’s a simple process:
Step 1: Identify your core skills
Choose no more than five. These are the themes your career narrative will reinforce.
Step 2: Brainstorm the evidence
For each skill, write everything you’ve done to build or demonstrate it. Don’t filter — just get it down.
Step 3: Choose the strongest points
Circle the 2–3 examples under each skill that best represent your capability.
Step 4: Write your narrative
Weave those examples into a short, confident story about who you are as a professional.
2. Connect Your Skills to the Job Posting
Once your core story is solid, customize it.
Read the job posting closely.
Identify the skills, experiences, and outcomes they care about most.
Match them to your examples.
Adjust your narrative so it speaks directly to what this role requires.
Your story shouldn’t feel generic. It should feel like it was written for this job.
3. And Then: Practice
Don’t save your story for the interview. Practice it until it feels natural.
Tell it in the mirror.
Say it to friends or colleagues.
Use it when new employees ask about your background.
Most candidates aren’t great at positioning themselves as the obvious choice.
When you can tell a clear, tight, confident story — you immediately stand out.
