Crafting Career Narratives

73% of people admit their online presence doesn’t represent who they truly are. Honestly? Yea! We live in a world where social media pushes us to be “marketable,” “polished,” and “always-on.” But guys—being seen ≠ being understood. My job? To fix that gap. Without losing the real “you.” Here’s how most business owners get it wrong. 👉 They think ‘professional’ means ‘boring.’ You don’t have to sound like a corporate robot to build authority. Your quirks? Your humor? They’re your superpowers. 👉 They focus too much on aesthetics. A great profile pic and sleek visuals are nice, but your words and stories are what build trust and connection. 👉 They struggle with consistency. Posting once in a blue moon won't make you memorable. Building an authentic online presence is like going to the gym—you’ve got to show up regularly. 👉 They copy trends instead of owning their voice. Trends fade. Your unique experiences? Timeless. Stop being a knockoff; start being the original. So, how do you fix it? Think of personal branding like a first date: 📍Be yourself (but the best version). 📍Show, don’t just tell. 📍Stay consistent but not repetitive. And most importantly—speak to people, not at them. Why do we need all of this effort? 86% of consumers prefer an authentic brand personality over a polished one. In short: Authenticity wins. Always. If your LinkedIn, Instagram, or website doesn’t feel “you,” it’s time for a change. Let’s fix it—without the fluff, without the fake. What do you think? Does your online presence truly reflect YOU? Or just a version you think people want to see? 🤔 DM me or book a call if you're ready to build a REAL personal brand. #PersonalBrandingExpert

I find career progression maps extremely effective. They answer one of the most prominent questions I get in interviews: "What does career progression look like in your org?" A well-defined career map: 1. Helps designers identify what they need to work on 2. Clearly sets expectations on career progression 3. Connects the dots between hard and soft skills 4. Sets the tone for assessing performance 5. Provides clarity and alignment I created this simple product design progression map to help you understand some of the key areas we assess when building design teams. For simplicity, it's broken down into 4 areas: - Ownership - Collaboration - Craft - Research Larger design teams sometimes break this down even further and include specifics like communication, impact, mentoring, design systems, prototyping, and so on. The map covers core career levels from Junior to Lead without going too granular on IC vs. Management pathways, as these differ greatly from one company to another. Use this map to: - Assess where you are in your journey - Find areas where you may benefit from growing - Help build your organization's design career map If you found the map useful, consider reporting ♻️ Find the link to a full Notion template you can copy for your organization in the comments below 👇 #productdesign #uxdesign #uiux

“I was 26, jobless, and scrolling LinkedIn at 2 a.m., convinced I was already a failure.” This is the story of one of my students. Every scroll felt like a punch in the gut: Batchmates at Deloitte. Seniors at Microsoft. Friends flaunting “promotion” posts. Meanwhile, his inbox was filled with rejection emails. He kept telling himself: “I’m behind. I’m not good enough. I’ve lost the race.” But here’s the truth I reminded him 👇 ➡️ Your friend’s success is not your failure. ➡️ Everyone has a timeline. Some bloom at 22. Some at 32. Some at 42. ➡️ The only race you lose is the one where you keep looking sideways. Here’s how we changed my student’s career and mindset: 1️⃣ We Reframed “Late” As “Learning” Instead of obsessing over where others were, he built a list of what skills he wanted to master in 6 months. By focusing on his growth curve, not someone else’s, he stopped drowning in comparison. 2️⃣ We Measured Progress, Not People We created a tracker: ✔️ Number of interviews attempted ✔️ Number of rejections (yes, they count!) ✔️ Lessons learned from each round This gave him control. Instead of chasing milestones he couldn’t control (offers), he celebrated consistent action. 3️⃣ We built his “Career Story.” Not a list of roles. A narrative. Why he started, how he grew, what he learned. Stories stick. Buzzwords don’t. 4️⃣ We trained his mindset, not just his answers. He walked into interviews owning his journey, not apologizing for it. Confidence is 80% of interview success. Answers are the other 20%. The result? From multiple rejections to 3 job offers in under 6 weeks. Not because he “caught up” with his peers… But because he stopped running their race and started building his own. 👉 If you’re losing sleep because someone else is ahead, remember: 📌 Comparison kills growth. 📌 Consistency builds it. Your career is not a sprint. It’s a marathon with different start times. 💬 If you need help silencing the noise and building your roadmap to your dream job, drop me a message. #careergrowth #interviewtips #mindsetmatters #dreamjob #interviewcoach

I used to think being liked at work meant being nice.   But then I noticed something odd.   The most likeable people weren’t the ones nodding along in meetings.   They weren’t always the most helpful or the most positive.   They were the ones who felt real.   Because people don’t connect with the nicest person. They connect with the most relatable one. With what feels authentic.   They gravitate towards those who are confident enough to show up as themselves, flaws and all.   So how do you do that without feeling fake?   1. Stop smoothing your edges. You don’t need to agree with everyone to be liked. In fact, having an opinion makes you memorable. Speak up when it matters, not to be difficult, but to be real.   2. Show your mistakes. Perfect people are hard to relate to. Share the missteps, the lessons, the "I completely messed that up" stories. It makes you human.   3. Listen like you mean it. Not the nod-and-smile kind of listening. Ask questions. Get curious. Make people feel heard, not just managed.   4. Match your words to your actions. Authenticity isn’t what you say; it’s what people see. Consistency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of likeability.   5. Drop the social mask. The version of you that tries to be “professional” all the time? Exhausting. Be the person who laughs, who admits they don’t know everything, who isn’t afraid to be real.   6. Find common ground without forcing it. You don’t need to have the same hobbies or interests to connect with others. Shared experiences, values, or even mutual respect go a long way. Focus on what unites you, not what makes you the same.   7. Celebrate others genuinely. Recognise people’s efforts and achievements without expecting anything in return. A sincere compliment or acknowledgment can create lasting positive impressions.   The irony? The more you try to be liked, the less likeable you become.   But when you stop performing and start showing up as yourself, people feel it.   Because authenticity is magnetic.   ♻️ If you want to inspire better workplaces, repost this. Because workplaces thrive when people can be real, not perfect. 🔔 Follow me (Mostyn Wilson) for more on career success. __ Like this? Try my fortnightly newsletter to make you even more successful in your career. https://lnkd.in/eE287NTG

At 18, I failed the AIPMT. At 21, I failed multiple content writing job interviews. At 23, I was labeled unserious about my career as I went for a 5-day vacation during MBA. But those failures were temporary: • 18: Discovered my purpose while pursuing my bachelor's degree • 21: Landed a job that provided invaluable lessons • 23: Secured the highest package in my MBA batch Throughout my late teens and 20s, I battled the nagging feeling of inadequacy. When I left my job, I: • Worked 10x harder • Gave 200% effort • Embraced the word "NO" and outreached tirelessly • Said YES to all marketing opportunities • Committed to daily learning The result? At 26, I'm running a successful business, doing what I love. Key takeaways: 1. Failures are temporary. Persistence pays off. 2. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. 3. Consistent hard work and learning lead to success. What setbacks have you overcome on your professional journey? Share your story below! 👇

My secret weapon when I pivoted from to tech from a non-tech background: Emphasizing my transferable skills. Here's how to leverage them the right way to land the job of your dreams: 1/ 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ↳ Review all your work, volunteer activities, education, and personal projects. Don't just focus on job titles - think about what you actually did day-to-day. 2/ 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ↳ For each role or experience, identify specific tasks you performed and results you achieved. Ask yourself: What problems did I solve? How did I communicate? What did I manage or organize? 3/ 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ↳ Group them into categories like communication, leadership, problem-solving, technical abilities, project management, or analytical thinking. These broader categories usually apply across industries. 4/ 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ↳ Analyze relevant job postings and map them to the categories from step 3, even if you used them in different contexts. 5/ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 ↳ When you identify a transferable skill, prepare specific stories that demonstrate it. Quantify your impact when possible - numbers make your experience more compelling. ♻️ Reshare this post for an aspiring career switcher and follow Megan Lieu for more!

Struggling to write LinkedIn posts that actually connect with people? You’re not alone. Every week, I meet brilliant professionals with powerful journeys, but their LinkedIn presence tells none of it. No impact. No visibility. No connection. That’s where storytelling changes everything. Over the last few years, I’ve helped hundreds of professionals turn bland updates into stories that spark engagement, build thought leadership, and unlock career opportunities. Here’s the exact storytelling framework I use with them: 🔹 1. Start with a hook that creates tension Don’t say: “I got promoted.” Say: “I almost quit my job last week. Then something unexpected happened…” 🔹 2. Follow the 3-Act Structure Beginning: Set the scene Middle: Share the challenge/conflict End: Deliver the outcome/lesson 🔹 3. Use vivid details Not: “I had a tough meeting.” Say: “My hands were shaking as I opened that PowerPoint at 9:03 AM…” 🔹 4. Add real dialogue Dialogue draws readers in. “Are you sure you can lead this team?” “Watch me,” I said. 🔹 5. Show vulnerability Own your missteps. Talk about your doubts. That’s what makes you relatable and trustworthy. 🔹 6. Keep paragraphs short No walls of text. White space improves readability and retention. 🔹 7. Always end with value Wrap with a takeaway: “What did YOU learn?” “What can OTHERS apply?” It builds a human connection, which is what LinkedIn is truly about. Not just B2B or B2C. But H2H — Human to Human. I offer LinkedIn Profile Optimization for professionals who are ready to attract better opportunities. 👉 DM me if you’d like a profile audit or want help revamping your profile from checkbox to client magnet. #LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #Storytelling #ContentStrategy #CareerGrowth #ProfileOptimisation

Ever wonder where your career might take you? Last week, I connected with some alumni from SLB who transformed from engineers into remarkable entrepreneurs. Pak Adi Harsono, who started his career before I was even born, retired early and now actively forges business partnerships between China and Indonesia. His journey from engineer to impactful business leader is awe-inspiring. Herman Huang, a serial entrepreneur for over a decade, now leads his company, an IT and Telco company. His story of reinvention shows that determination and vision can lead to success in entirely new fields. Our first conversation flowed effortlessly, bonded by our shared pursuit of excellence, passion for science & technology, and the relentless drive to create impact for our beloved nation. These discussions reminded me: career paths are rarely linear. #Resilience, #adaptability, and staying true to your #passions are key. To all midlevel professionals: Embrace the twists and turns in your career. They can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities. Keep pushing forward. Your journey is unique and full of potential. *** Like what you read? Then click that like button, share this post, and follow me for more insights into #productivity, #strategy, and #leadership.

Not everyone wants to (or should) be a manager. Not everyone wants to chase a VP title. And that’s completely valid. If your career framework assumes up is the only way, you’re losing great people. 📌 Create technical and individual contributor career paths. 📌 Pay & promote ICs on real career tracks. 📌 Let people define their own version of success (which might change over time!).

𝗜'𝗺 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗠𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ⤵️ As context, I am dual board certified in clinical radiology & public health. I worked as an attending radiologist at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust before moving into investing at Crista Galli Ventures👩🏽⚕️ These are the top 5 transferable skills I took from medicine to investing: 1️⃣ Analytical Skills 📊 ↳ Quickly assimilating & analysing new information - whether it's a new diagnosis, MRI scan report, or blood results 2️⃣ Leadership 🏥 ↳ From leading teams during critical procedures & multidisciplinary meetings to making tough clinical decisions, medicine is full of leadership experiences 3️⃣ Teamwork 👫 ↳ Collaborating effectively with diverse professionals including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, and occupational therapists under challenging circumstances 4️⃣ Communication 🗣️ ↳ Regularly delivering both positive & challenging news to patients and families, and explaining medical concepts in accessible terms 5️⃣ Resilience 💪🏾 ↳ Developed through long hours, weekends, and navigating emotionally charged situations from birth to end-of-life care, this resilience is unparalleled in any other work environment 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀? 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀? -- ♻ Re-share if this resonated with you. 👩🏽⚕️ Follow Dr Fiona Pathiraja-Møller for more. #medicine #healthtech #career #femaleinvestor #NHS