Career Roadblock? It’s Time to Own Your Story!

As you look to advance your career, hiring managers will often pigeonhole you — especially when you don’t “check all the boxes.”

So, it’s important to remember that, as PR pros, we have a great story to tell. A story of versatility and adaptability — essential qualities to showcase whether you’re interviewing for a job or vying for a promotion.

That lesson became clear to me in two job interviews — one successful, one not. 

A tale of two interviews

The first happened when I was interviewing for a communication position with an association of state-elected officials. In my third meeting with the executive director, it was clear she was struggling with the decision.

She told me it was down to me and one other candidate. That person, the favorite of one of her members, had the desired political experience. But I was the better writer, she said.

I thought for a moment and, to my eternal surprise, replied, “I can always learn the politics, but you’re going to have a much harder time teaching someone to write.” 

I got the job. 

I didn’t quite fit the box, but the core skills I brought to the table were more versatile, valuable — and harder to come by.

Five years later, I came to Chicago to interview with PR firms. I offered broad experience in a range of sectors (nonprofit, government and association) and functions (media relations, public affairs, internal communications, crisis management and more). 

As I traveled up and down Michigan Avenue doing informational interviews with the top agencies, I found myself sitting across from the managing director of the Chicago office of a major national firm. 

The conversation was going well, and we seemed to enjoy an easy rapport. Then, in an almost offhanded way she said, “Of course, we can’t hire you because you have no corporate experience.” 

I was floored. In none of my other interviews did that come up. And, in fact, within a few weeks, I was hired by another top 10 firm where I prospered and made my mark on the corporate side.

The lesson from all this? Never, ever sell yourself short. And never let anyone else do it either.

You’ve got a great story to tell

If you’ve got the core skills and a track record of success in one environment, chances are good that that experience is transferable to other settings.

In fact, the very nature of our job as PR pros demands that we be highly adaptable. Just look at the evidence and consider:

• All the industries and professions you’ve learned and written about or represented; the technical concepts and processes you’ve mastered to explain them in laypeople’s terms; and the credibility you earned along the way with subject matter experts
• The times you were put on the spot by a reporter, employee or community member and had to think on your feet; or when you encountered a skeptical, antagonistic or downright hostile audience and managed to keep calm, think clearly and stay on message
• Those moments where you’ve had to be a virtual mindreader, getting inside people’s heads and anticipating their reaction to a message, idea or action; or getting inside their hearts to understand the emotions that drive their behaviors
• All the competing interests from diverse stakeholders that you have to balance; the priorities you juggle, the details you keep track of, and the names and faces you must remember

None of this is easy. And all of it is incredibly valuable.

So, as you pursue your next opportunity, understand that it’s rare for a candidate to have every qualification in the job description. And remind yourself that your hard-won skills are rare, vital and portable.

If you tell that story, and fully believe that story, then decision-makers will grasp your true potential and the value you bring to the table. 

And if they can’t, then you’re better off finding someone who does.