Interviewing: How to Tell Your Story By Amanda Bates
Be Concise.
pplying for employment is quite frankly hard work. You’re trying to parse out the job description and figure out how to make your qualifications relevant to the employer. But when you’ve had a life filled with constant change, it can be even harder to know how to do this. The more moves, the more complicated the story. Trying to distill what key pieces to share in the job hunt can be overwhelming. Especially if you are applying for a job that, at least on paper, doesn’t seem to have a particularly international bent.
Some of us have really convoluted stories, like the ones that start with, “Well, I was here from this time to this time. Only because I originally was over here, but then this happened and I had to leave to go there before I got here.” Although interesting, your story may leave the listener with a glazed look, because you lost them halfway through the plot.
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However, as you look for opportunities you have to remember you have one goal—to deliver a cohesive professional story. Your focus is to highlight what parts of your vibrant story make you a great candidate for the job ahead. Allow me to offer some guidance on how to make your story relevant.
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Among Worlds
Even with a fascinating story, your main purpose in the job search is to share how your experiences relate to the position you are applying for. You are not just telling any story, either. You are telling a cohesive, professional narrative. Growing up internationally may be an integral part of your story, but it’s not the only part. You need to determine what is relevant to the employer and then share it in an efficient
