TELLING YOUR STORY:

A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE JOB SEARCH

May 14, 2020

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Amanda Sonis Glynn, Career Advisor

Amanda Sonis Glynn joined Koya Leadership Partners after serving as a Career Advisor with Commongood Careers for eight years. Previously, she taught Sociology of Law and Future Philanthropists at Tufts University and worked as a seasonal career advisor with Harvard Law School’s Office of Public Interest Advising.

Amanda has worked as a consultant, co-writing a curriculum on philanthropy for Tufts Hillel and developing a post-graduate public interest fellowship for Harvard College. For five years, she was the Director of the Harvard Public Service Network, providing guidance and support to more than 50 student-led public service programs, and as Coordinator of the Center for Public Interest Careers (CPIC), a program that assists Harvard College students in finding and funding summer and post-graduate positions in public interest organizations around the country. Amanda worked closely with university, alumni/ae and community partners to develop fellowships, internships, networks, and opportunities for personal and professional development. She was also the Sexual Harassment Hearing Officer for Harvard College.

Prior to her work at Harvard College, Amanda served as a Skadden Fellow and staff attorney at the Medical-Legal Partnership (formerly called the Family Advocacy Program) at Boston Medical Center, focusing on the civil legal needs of patients in the hospital’s Adolescent Center.

Amanda is the Co-Founder of Wayland Community for Social Justice and currently serves on Temple Shir Tikva’sBoard of Trustees and Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ Metrowest Community Planning Committee.

Amanda received a BA in Sociology from Tufts University and a JD from Harvard Law School.

Careers@KoyaPartners.com

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What do we mean when we say “Tell Your Story”

• How do you answer someone when they say, “Tell me about yourself” • How do you talk about yourself when speaking to someone in networking

and interview situations?• How do you represent your story in writing (cover letter & resume)?

Am I concise, authentic, and

clear?

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Elevator pitch vs. telling your story

Non-transactional

• Opportunity to engage with someone

• Make them want to ask follow up questions and continue the conversation

Tellin

g yo

ur s

tory

Transactional

• A sales pitch (people decide if they want to pursue what you’re “selling” and, if not, the conversation is over)

Elevator pitch

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What makes my story compelling?

How much detail What information should I include? should I cover?

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I’m uncomfortable talking about myself, what do I do?

Tip!

Try to enjoy it !

Talk about yourself–not

your organization!

Talk about the things you love,

and you will be authentic.

Try to enjoy it!

Look for opportunities

for connection

Now is not the time to try and sound like an expert.

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Three key takeaways

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How do I know what to include?

1. Data points are OK in small amounts; however, they must connect to making your audience feel something.

2. Core competencies and key accomplishments—where do they overlap? Connect these elements to what you want to do next.

3. Seize the opportunity to control the narrative; people interpret information in the ways that make sense to them and fill in gaps accordingly.

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Get ahead by developing your own narrative and sharing it

consistently.

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Should I write a script?

NO• Too easy to be thrown for a loop• Instead, write some bullets • Focus on subtext and moving the

story forward

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Authenticity is key to telling your story

Remember mission-driven work is often rooted in the

personal

Creating a Connection with your audience is

critical

Humor is often

effective

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I’ve thought about what to say, what next?

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Remember, no one knows your story better than you do.