Professional Presentation | How to Build and Share Your Story
Getting Started
The Process Of Crafting Your Personal Story Begins By Letting Go Of The Blockers That Might Prevent You From Showing Up To a Networking Event Or Interview As Your Confident And Authentic Self. A Blocker Might Sound Like One Of The Following
- I feel shame around my story.
- I don’t have any major accomplishments to share.
- I’m worried about what others might think of me.
Clarify Your What and Your Why
Your “what” consists of what you want to convey in a networking or interview conversation. This might include:
- Your educational background
- Where you are currently based
- Key accomplishments in a professional or volunteer capacity
- Factors that motivate you
- Potential career paths you want to explore
If you don’t know exactly what you want to do next, that is completely fine. Don’t let your uncertainty derail you from developing your professional presentation. In fact, by sharing your story through networking, you may gain clarity on which types of roles and industries most interest you.
Once you identify what you want to share with others, it’s time to answer this question: “Why do you want to share these parts of yourself with your network and/or a hiring manager?”
Incorporate Relevant Accomplishments
When incorporating these past accomplishments, consider the STAR technique, commonly applied when answering behavioral interview questions.
Practice Your Story
Built and sharing your professional story takes courage. The more time you can dedicate to your professional presentation, the easier it will become—even for those who consider themselves non-networkers.