Developing Your Career Narrative

Monisha Kapila, Founder and CEO

ProInspire

April 15, 2015

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About ProInspire

ProInspire is a nonprofit that develops leaders at all levels for organizations addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Our key programs include:• ProInspire Fellowship• Managing for Success• Thought Leadership

ProInspire was named by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as one of 7 Nonprofits to Watch in 2015.

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ProInspire Partners in DC & SF Bay Area

Why do you need a story?

Please submit your ideas in the chat box

“Coherent narratives hang together in ways that feel natural and intuitive. A coherent life story is one that suggests what we all

want to believe of ourselves and those we help or hire – that our lives are series of unfolding linked events that make sense.”

- From “What’s Your Story?” (HBR 2005)

Listeners wants to know…

• Do I trust this person?

• Does the story make sense?

• Do I think he/she is likely to be successful?

It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do 20 years from now

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Connect the dots

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow

connect in your future.”

- Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

A transition story should have 5 key elements

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Clarity

Commitment

Connection

Credibility

Convincing

What do you want?

Why do you want this?

How does this relate to who you are?

Why should I believe you?

Why should I help/hire/admit you?

Clarity: What do you want?

Helpful Questions:

• What kind of projects do you want to be working on right now?

• What do you want to be doing 1 year from now?

• What do you want to be doing 5 years from now?

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Commitment: Why do you want this?

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Helpful Questions:

• What is your motivation?

• Why do you believe this is the best way for you to spend your time and talent?

Connection: How does this relate to who you are?

Helpful Questions:

• How does this connect to the factors that shaped you? Family, childhood, etc.

• Can you be vulnerable to create an authentic connection?

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Credibility: Why should I believe you?

Helpful Questions:

• What is your “sound bite” resume?

• What are three things about your work experience that support your narrative?

• For networking – is there a connection that can “vouch” for you?

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Convincing: Why should I help/hire/admit you?

Helpful Questions:

• What do you want them to remember about you?

• How can listeners helpyou?

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Some Tips

• You should demonstrate your honesty, humility & personality

• Be sure to regularly update your career narrative

• You may have different variations of your career narrative in a job search

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What do you look for when someone seeks your advice?

Please submit your ideas in the chat box

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My story for MBA applications

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Clarity

Commitment

Connection

Credibility

Convincing

Lead an international org that helps countries identify their competitive advantages for business and sustainable development.

Believe society can achieve sustainable change in poverty if we create business opportunities and jobs in low income areas

Parents from India, my pattern of taking initiative to drive social impact (recycling, Avon Walk, Volunteer Connection)

1 – ICIC – economic development in inner cities2 – CARE – support micro-entrepreneurs3 – Andersen – business fundamentals

Demonstrated leadership, passion, unique for-profit/nonprofit perspective

Identify how you will share it

• With whom can you share it?

• What are upcoming opportunities?

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Next Steps

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• Find a peer/friend to practice sharing your career narrative TODAY

• Commit to sharing it with one of the people you identified NEXT WEEK

• Revisit and revise your story NEXT MONTH

email: mkapila@proinspire.org

website: www.proinspire.org

twitter: @proinspire

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