Career Connector Blog
Most interviews are in a behavioral format, meaning the interviewer not only wants you to share that you have a particular skill, they want to hear about how you used that skill in past jobs. Practicing your skill story ahead of time will allow you to share it strategically, building it seamlessly into The Story of YOU.
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<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bbd75461905f4346f620c04/1554850508925/IMG_1751.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bbd75461905f4346f620c04/1554850508925/IMG_1751.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2448x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.516,0.312" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Why Your College Grad Can’t Find a Job in 2018" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bbd75461905f4346f620c04/1554850508925/IMG_1751.JPG?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">It’s Summer 2018 and the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in years. Arguably it’s a candidate’s market. And yet, many new and <a href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2018/12/11/5-things-college-seniors-can-do-now-to-secure-that-post-grad-job" style="color: #91126d;"><strong>recent college grads</strong></a> are still unemployed. How can that be?</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bee3f85562fa7eaa84b96bf/1554850530486/IMG_0906.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bee3f85562fa7eaa84b96bf/1554850530486/IMG_0906.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x2500" data-image-focal-point="0.48,0.572" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Tell Me About Yourself: Examples of Narratives That Work" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5bee3f85562fa7eaa84b96bf/1554850530486/IMG_0906.JPG?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #91126d;" href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2019/1/15/the-story-of-you-the-most-fascinating-story-ever-told"><strong>Telling the Story of YOU</strong></a> should be a great experience. It should make you feel like you’ve just had a 5-mile run or a great cup of coffee, or both. Instead, if it feels tortured, nervous-making or rambling, just imagine how the listener feels.<br>This is your story – you get to tell it exactly how you want to, but to get results, it’s ideal to follow a few ground rules.You can also review my previous posts on this subject, to give you a complete picture of how to make your story sing.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c081ead4fa51af5d8063e07/1554850562517/IMG_1087.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c081ead4fa51af5d8063e07/1554850562517/IMG_1087.JPG" data-image-dimensions="533x533" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="The Story of YOU Part 2: Tutorial on Narratives that Work" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c081ead4fa51af5d8063e07/1554850562517/IMG_1087.JPG?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Last time <a style="color: #91126d;" href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2019/1/15/the-story-of-you-the-most-fascinating-story-ever-told"><strong>we discussed the basic principles behind engaging listeners with your story</strong></a>. Today we are going to get downright specific – I’m going to share specific instructions for creating narratives that work well to open doors for all types of job seekers. First, some general principles for developing your narrative.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e17016d2a734d905fcc06/1554850640162/The+Story+of+YOU+The+Most+Fascinating+Story+Every+Told.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e17016d2a734d905fcc06/1554850640162/The+Story+of+YOU+The+Most+Fascinating+Story+Every+Told.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1669" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="The Story of YOU: The Most Fascinating Story Ever Told" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e17016d2a734d905fcc06/1554850640162/The+Story+of+YOU+The+Most+Fascinating+Story+Every+Told.JPG?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -77.175px; top: 0px; width: 464.35px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">When you talk about yourself, do people listen? Do their eyes glaze over in boredom? Something in between? Knowing what to say, how to say it and, even more importantly, what NOT to say about yourself, is an art, and an important one. <a style="color: #91126d;" href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2011/2/17/telling-your-skill-story"><strong>Telling your story</strong></a> in a compelling way is one of the most important things you can get right – not only in the job search process and on the job but also in, well, life.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1693" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="5 Things College Seniors Can Do to Secure That Post-Grad Job" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -73.8836px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Today my clients include five <a style="color: #91126d;" href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2019/1/15/four-linkedin-job-search-tips-for-college-seniors"><strong>college seniors</strong></a> I’m helping to secure a post-graduate job. While they have been doing all the right things since January, it is taking time to get responses. For all you college seniors out there, here’s the advice I’m sharing with my clients in real time:</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1693" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="5 Things College Seniors Can Do to Secure That Post-Grad Job" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c106e60aa4a9922ea459232/1554850622043/IMG_1093.JPG?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -73.8836px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;"> Over the years there’s been loads written about the value of “<a style="color: #91126d;" href="https://www.allisoncheston.com/news/2019/1/15/four-linkedin-job-search-tips-for-college-seniors"><strong>informational interviews</strong></a>,” the meetings you, the job-seeker, procure to find out more about an organization you’re interested in, while sort of pretending you’re not actually interested in a job there. These “interviews,” constitute a tricky dance between candidates and prospective employers, prompting many candidates to just throw in the towel and avoid them altogether. But that’s a mistake.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e272b03ce647ec3305b66/1554850670259/Low+Response+from+Online+Job+Applications.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e272b03ce647ec3305b66/1554850670259/Low+Response+from+Online+Job+Applications.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2448x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Low Response Rate from Online Job Applications? Try This!" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e272b03ce647ec3305b66/1554850670259/Low+Response+from+Online+Job+Applications.JPG?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p style="white-space:pre-wrap;">A reader emailed me recently with a question about the low response rate to his online applications – a universal problem! For some people, online applications are the bane of their existence, yet others have success. Here is how I look at the virtual application market based on your level, and type of, experience:</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e288989858382c02d14d2/1554850688083/The+Messy+Middle+of+Your+Job+Search.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e288989858382c02d14d2/1554850688083/The+Messy+Middle+of+Your+Job+Search.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2448x3264" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="The Messy Middle of Your Job Search" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e288989858382c02d14d2/1554850688083/The+Messy+Middle+of+Your+Job+Search.JPG?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: -51.6667px; width: 540px; height: 413.333px; position: relative;"><p>In my practice working with executives at all levels and millennials starting their careers I’ve noticed that everyone, regardless of experience, finds the middle of their search stressful and difficult.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2c9321c67c285bd002bd/1554850703384/Find+More+Career+Happiness+in+2018.JPG" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2c9321c67c285bd002bd/1554850703384/Find+More+Career+Happiness+in+2018.JPG" data-image-dimensions="2500x1340" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Find More Career Happiness in 2018" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2c9321c67c285bd002bd/1554850703384/Find+More+Career+Happiness+in+2018.JPG?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -134.179px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p>Welcome to your job search, 2018!</p>
<p>Did you know that being more aware of your natural habits and tendencies can bring you more happiness and productivity in your career?</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e307a758d466153f9d27b/1554850719807/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+2.13.08+PM.png" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e307a758d466153f9d27b/1554850719807/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+2.13.08+PM.png" data-image-dimensions="608x914" data-image-focal-point="0.4949171686746988,0.276" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Book Review: Weird in a World That’s Not" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e307a758d466153f9d27b/1554850719807/Screen+Shot+2019-01-15+at+2.13.08+PM.png?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 466.02px; position: relative;"><p>Jennifer Romolini’s new book Weird in a World That’s Not offers Millennials a joyful romp through Careerville, providing hilarious but important advice and support along the way.</p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2a714ae237da7d845d39/1554850752056/Four%2BLinkedIn%2BJob-Search%2BTips%2Bfor%2BCollege%2BSeniors.jpg" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2a714ae237da7d845d39/1554850752056/Four%2BLinkedIn%2BJob-Search%2BTips%2Bfor%2BCollege%2BSeniors.jpg" data-image-dimensions="499x348" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Four LinkedIn Job-Search Tips for College Seniors" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e2a714ae237da7d845d39/1554850752056/Four%2BLinkedIn%2BJob-Search%2BTips%2Bfor%2BCollege%2BSeniors.jpg?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -67.2557px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;"><p>Seniors, I’m hearing from a lot of you that you’re having a tough time finding the right job and graduation is looming.<p>
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e34d3cd8366d7771eac43/1554850768962/Want%2BA%2BSummer%2BInternship%2B2017.jpg" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e34d3cd8366d7771eac43/1554850768962/Want%2BA%2BSummer%2BInternship%2B2017.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2448x2448" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.36" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="Want a Summer Internship? Here are the 6 Things You Need to Know" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e34d3cd8366d7771eac43/1554850768962/Want%2BA%2BSummer%2BInternship%2B2017.jpg?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;">So you’re a college student and while you really want a summer internship, you either haven’t gotten around to working on it or have made some inroads but given up. The good news is there are still plenty of internships available if you’re willing to apply yourself to the task.
<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e364a352f5370322ca669/1554850800532/How%2Ba%2BCollege%2BSenior%2BCan%2BBuild%2BA%2BNetwork%2Bin%2B3%2BEasy%2BSteps.jpg" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e364a352f5370322ca669/1554850800532/How%2Ba%2BCollege%2BSenior%2BCan%2BBuild%2BA%2BNetwork%2Bin%2B3%2BEasy%2BSteps.jpg" data-image-dimensions="2500x1875" data-image-focal-point="0.496,0.3603723404255319" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="How a College Senior Can Build A Network in 3 Easy Steps" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e364a352f5370322ca669/1554850800532/How%2Ba%2BCollege%2BSenior%2BCan%2BBuild%2BA%2BNetwork%2Bin%2B3%2BEasy%2BSteps.jpg?format=750w" data-image-resolution="750w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -50.0133px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;">A panicked college senior at University of Michigan, my alma mater, contacted me recently.Dear Ms. Cheston,…
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<img data-src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e32c1aa4a99607631a967/1554850814707/How%2Ba%2B2016%2BCollege%2BGrad%2Bwith%2BNo%2BExperience%2Bor%2BConnections%2BGot%2BHis%2BDream%2BJob%2Bin%2B6%2BMonths.jpg" data-image="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e32c1aa4a99607631a967/1554850814707/How%2Ba%2B2016%2BCollege%2BGrad%2Bwith%2BNo%2BExperience%2Bor%2BConnections%2BGot%2BHis%2BDream%2BJob%2Bin%2B6%2BMonths.jpg" data-image-dimensions="1556x1288" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.4008907004830918" data-load="false" data-position-mode="standard" data-parent-ratio="1.0" alt="How a 2016 College Grad with No Experience or Connections Got His Dream Job in 6 Months" class="" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ba910cad7819e7ee5355b34/5bbd74a724a694a76a60186f/5c3e32c1aa4a99607631a967/1554850814707/How%2Ba%2B2016%2BCollege%2BGrad%2Bwith%2BNo%2BExperience%2Bor%2BConnections%2BGot%2BHis%2BDream%2BJob%2Bin%2B6%2BMonths.jpg?format=500w" data-image-resolution="500w" style="font-size: 0px; left: -32.2516px; top: 0px; width: 540px; height: 310px; position: relative;">Happy 2017! I don’t know about you, but I find the onslaught of tips for committing to New Year’s resolutions anxiety-producing. Personally I prefer – and find more effective –making incremental and realistic changes as I feel inspired – by a book, a talk, a client…or a thought in the shower. Then I’m able to plan for that change in a specific and habit-forming way, propelled by positive energy. But everyone’s different. How do you feel?