What Story Does Your Career Tell Potential Employers?

When considering your next job, you should step back to assess your resume and the “story” it projects. Have you thought about someone looking at your job history for the first time?  Put yourself in his or her shoes and ask “What tale does it tell?”  Whether you are considering your next career move or in the process of interviewing, prepare your story and ensure that it aligns with your resume.  For instance, if you have switched jobs every one to two years, is there a story to alleviate a potential employer’s concern that you will not commit and remain loyal to their organization?    If someone has made a series of job and career changes, then unfortunately, he or she risks the "Job Hopper"  brand which is a major barrier to getting a foot in the door with a potential employer.  

When you look at your resume, have you progressed in title and responsibilities in your career and if not, why?  It’s okay if there is lateral movement, but it is important that you can articulate that to a potential employer.  Many hiring managers will assess and judge a potential candidate’s caliber and ability to make rational decisions based on the story his or her resume tells them.  Someone’s ability to make logical decisions in his or her own career can be a strong predictor of a candidate’s ability to make good decisions in the workplace.  

When considering a new opportunity, take the time to think about how it relates to your career history.  Be thoughtful about the new position, the reason you are making a job change, and how it fits into your overall career story.