Leverage Storytelling to Land Your Next Job
If you aren’t experiencing the growth opportunities you’d like at your current employer, you may need to start looking elsewhere. Unfortunately, the job market right now (June 2024) is crazy competitive, and you need to stand out from the crowd. How competitive? According the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly double the number of applicants for every job opening. So, how do you rise above everyone else? Use storytelling in job applications and interviews to create a memorable impression, highlight your skills and experiences, and secure better career opportunities. Storytelling in Job Applications When applying for a job, your resume and cover letter are your first opportunities to make an impression. Rather than just listing your skills and experiences, use storytelling to illustrate your achievements and demonstrate your value. Your cover letter and resume are two very different mediums that work together for the same goal. When you write your cover letter, you need more of a narrative format: When I took the position of leader of the project team, we faced a number of challenges in meeting deadlines for deliverables. I introduced a new project management strategy and built a collaborative team environment, so we not only met our targets but exceeded them. As a result, we improved project delivery timelines by 20% within six months. On your resume, you use your title, making sure “project management” is part of it and use a bullet point with phrasing more like this: Improved project delivery timelines by 20% within six months with a new strategy and by creating a collaborative team environment. Essentially, you’re saying the same thing, but a resume is meant to be a quick read of your skills and experience — a list, if you will — while your cover letter allows more of your personality to come through at the same time you highlight your relevant work experiences. Storytelling in Interviews Interviews are the perfect setting to use storytelling to your advantage. When answering questions, frame your responses as stories that showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. When asked about a time you faced a challenge at work, you could say, “In my previous role, we had a major project that was falling behind schedule. I took the initiative to reorganize the team’s workflow and implemented a new project management tool. As a result, we completed the project on time and within budget. Our client was pleased, and their referral lead to new customers.” Responding this way not only answers the question but also demonstrates your initiative, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Understanding AI Parsing Systems I’m sure it’s absolutely no surprise that companies are increasingly using AI to parse resumes and cover letters. This definitely presents a challenge if you rely on storytelling to make your applications stand out. Still, you can integrate storytelling with AI systems. AI systems, like Applicant Tracking Systems, are designed to scan resumes and cover letters for specific keywords and phrases related to the job description. They prioritize structured data over narrative content to identify candidates who match required skills and qualifications such as education and experience. Strategies to Integrate Storytelling with AI While it may feel like just another hurdle to clear to even land an interview much less a job, working with AI can give you the foothold you need to land your next career move. Practical Tips Since you’re preparing your resume and cover letter for AI, why not put AI to work to increase your chances of scheduling an interview. Identify the most critical keywords from the job description and incorporate them into your resume and cover letter without compromising the narrative flow. Feed the job description into an AI tool like Google’s Gemini or ChatGPT to help you find those words and phrases. Your resume should be easily scannable with bullet points and headings. Your cover letter, on the other hand, can weave a narrative that aligns with the company’s values and job requirements. Highlight specific results and achievements within your stories to appeal to both AI systems and human readers. Use numbers as in the examples above. Keep your resume updated, even if you aren’t planning to change companies any time soon. Use an AI tool to maintain an accurate accounting of your role and responsibilities with the aforementioned results. Final Thoughts Leveraging storytelling in job applications and interviews can have a significantly positive impact on your career growth. By sharing compelling narratives that highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements, you can create a memorable impression and secure better opportunities. While AI systems certainly can pose a challenge to storytelling during your job hunt, adopting a strategic use of storytelling elements plus keywords can help you stand out. Your resume and cover letter should both be AI-friendly, giving you the opportunity to leverage storytelling to advance your career even in an AI-dominated recruitment landscape.
Why 3 Sets of Eyes are Better Than One
I’m so excited! I am beyond proud to announce the addition of two new copy editors to our team. The addition of Tajah Ware and Tayler Otten offers myriad benefits to our editing and ghostwriting clients. Higher Degree of Quality and Precision Having Ware and Otten as part of the Pens & Proof team means every manuscript undergoes a more rigorous review process. With additional pairs of eyes on your book, we can identify and correct errors more efficiently, so you can move more quickly to the next step of your publishing journey. Diverse Perspectives Ware and Otten bring diverse perspectives and skill sets to editing to address nuanced issues and offer varied suggestions. This diversity will make your book more engaging and more refined. Specialized Expertise Each new editor brings their own experiences and expertise, ranging from grammar and style to structure and genre-specific knowledge. This specialization ensures that every aspect of your manuscript receives detailed and expert attention. More Personalized Attention The developmental editing offered by Pens & Proof already entails a high degree of personalized attention, and with a larger team, we’re narrowing our focus even further. The goal is to help authors grow and achieve their vision. Improved Consistency Maintaining a consistent voice and quality throughout a manuscript is critical. The addition of Ware and Otten means the steady application of high standards across all client projects. Community and Collaboration Ware and Otten are both committed to a collaborative experience for our authors. You will benefit from increased opportunities to engage with experts dedicated to helping you succeed and bring their ideas to life. Are you ready for your publishing journey? Schedule a call today!
One Editor’s Definitions for the 4 Levels of Editing
If you’re diving into authorship, you need to know that not all editing is created equal. When your manuscript is ready for the next step in your publishing journey, understanding the different levels of editing will help you choose the right path forward for your book. 📖✨ Proofreading (Mechanics) Technically, proofreading is the final step before you take your book to formatting and publishing, but I start the list with it because proofreading is all about the mechanics of your work. Think of it as a safety net. Proofreaders fix basic errors in spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation as well as sentence structure. A last, thorough check ensures a final catch of mistakes or inconsistencies. Copyediting (Technical/Accuracy) Copyeditors are all about consistency. They check syntax (sentence structure and sentence variety), fact check subject-specific terminology or phrasing, and make sure you adhere to the way in which you use the jargon. A copyeditor eliminates redundancies and checks for wordiness. If you used 10 words when five will do, they will tighten up your work accordingly. Content Editing (The meaning of your work) Now that the mechanics and technical details have been addressed, it’s time to dive into the quality of your content. Each paragraph and sentence is under the microscope separately but also in the way they fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. Think of content editing as akin to refining your business pitch: Is this point relevant? Does this section capture the essence of the message? This editing ensures clarity, smooth transitions, that your timeline makes sense, and you use an active voice, for example. Developmental Editing (Coaching after the fact) When I edit anyone’s work, I use two lenses; I perform all the editing tasks I just described above, and I read your work as if I were your end user. You completed your manuscript, but in many ways, the work has just begun. First, I go through your manuscript and correct all the errors related to the rules of writing. I address capitalization, grammar, spelling that wasn’t picked up by a spell-check program, and correct passive verbs. I also read your book as if I am the reader you envisioned when you started writing. I want to know everything, so I will ask questions, make suggestions, and leave comments in the margin of your work to help you fulfill the promise you made to the people who bought your book. After you make the changes I highlighted, I will read your book a final time to be sure that between the two of us, we caught every possible error. 💪📚🌟 Final thoughts The kind of editing you choose will come down to how much attention you think your book needs. Maybe you’ll be happy with proofreading or perhaps you know your mechanics are solid, and you need a content editor to be sure you’ve pulled all your thoughts together properly. Whichever level you use to take your book to formatting and publishing, just know that your editor is your superhero come to save the day (and your brand reputation!).🦸🏻
Finding the Perfect Editor for Your Nonfiction Book
Congratulations! You’ve known for years that you needed to write a book about your zone of genius and you finally did it! Now, it’s time for you to find an editor. And yes, you need a professional. Why you need an editor Your editor is essentially your quality control, which is especially important if you own a business. Consider how much time you’ve spent curating your personal and professional reputations and fulfilling your brand promise to customers. What is the potential damage a poorly edited, or, worse, an unedited book could do to your personal and professional brands? Would you do business with someone who had the temerity to publish a book riddled with errors? Types of Editing Developmental Editing: This is the big-picture edit where your editor focuses on consistency and congruency. As a developmental editor, I dive deep into the structure, organization, and flow of your book, making sure every storyline is followed to a conclusion and that it fulfills the promise you made to your readers. Content Editing: Content editors focus on the context of your work. There are some technical aspects of their job such as addressing syntax issues, but they also focus on eliminating awkward phrasing and passive verbs, make sure you’re showing and not telling, and that any dialogue is appropriate to the person speaking. Copy Editing: Content editors focus on the context of your work. There are some technical aspects of their job such as addressing syntax issues, but they also focus on eliminating awkward phrasing and passive verbs, make sure you’re showing and not telling, and that any dialogue is appropriate to the person speaking. Proofreading: The final polish. Proofreaders catch typos, last-minute spelling errors, misplaced commas, and formatting errors that slipped through earlier edits. Questions to Ask Finding the right editor for you book entails some research. Start first by asking members of your network for references and then visit the websites of the Editorial Freelancer Association or the American Copy Editors Society. When you connect with an editor, ask them the following: Qualities to Look For Finding an editor is really about finding someone who aligns with your vision and working style. Consider some of these qualities as you interview potential partners: Communication: What process, procedures, and platforms does the editor use to create successful partnerships with their authors? Attention to detail: A good editor has an eagle eye for details without losing sight of the big picture. As a reporter, I ask a lot of questions because I want to know all the things, and I assume your reader does as well. Supportive and honest: Your editor who is supportive but also provides honest, constructive feedback. I often leave comments in the margin of my authors’s work letting them know when something resonates with me or if they’ve phrased something particularly well. Trust Your Instincts Most of time, honestly, your decision comes down to your gut feeling. Does the editor understand your vision? Do they seem genuinely interested in your project? Do you feel connected to their energy? Trusting your instincts will be key especially because you’re trusting them with your book baby. Final Thoughts Finding the right editor for your nonfiction book is a critical step in your publishing journey. The right professional editor helps you create a book that is as error-free as possible and helps you grow your personal brand and your business. If you have a book ready for editing, please schedule a call with me.
6 Steps to Earning 6 Figures with Your Book
Writing a book can be one of the more lucrative ventures you absolutely should undertake. You have the opportunity to turn your expertise and experience into substantial income. If you are an entrepreneur, there really is no downside to writing a book about your zone of genius. Writing Writing your book doesn’t start with writing your book. First, you need to have an ideal reader in mind. Then, you need to know how your solution is the answer to their problem. Focus on how your knowledge of your topic resonates with your target audience. By sharing your command of the subject plus personal stories, you create the opportunity to connect with your reader. Now you can start writing. Begin with a first word, then a sentence, and now a paragraph. Keep going! Editing Editing is the most critical and the most expensive step of your publishing journey and for good reason. Your editor will catch grammatical and punctuation errors, understands sentence structure, and ensure consistency and congruency. Your editor makes sure your book meets industry standards and appeals to readers. Publishing After editing concludes, you move into publishing, and you have a choice: traditional or self publishing. There are pros and cons for each. Should you choose the traditional route, you need an agent who will shop your book to various publishers. There are significant benefits of having a publishing house’s support, such as carrying the cost of printing copies of your book and distribution on your behalf. Self-publishing, on the other hand, offers more control and higher royalties, but can require a substantial investment up front if you want to host book signing events and/or throw a launch party where attendees can buy copies of your book. Fun fact: Fewer than 40% of traditionally published authors are women or female-identifying while self-publishing features nearly 70% women or female-identifying authors. Marketing No matter if you choose traditional or self publishing, the lion’s share of the marketing sits squarely on your shoulders and is how you’ll sell your book. As Most of us already have an online presence, and you’ll want to put yours to work like never before. Build a website, leverage social media, use your business’s email list, create collaborations and partnerships with brands in your same lane, and network both in person and online. You should also collect reviews and testimonials from those who read your book prior to release and customers you’ve helped through your business (as long as the book is in alignment, of course). There is real power in this level of engagement. Public Relations Do not dismiss the power of proximity. I’m talking to service-based businesses, especially, who operate primarily online. We may serve clients who live on each coast and every point in between, but our next best client could be just across town. Reach out to you local TV stations, newspapers, and magazines. Send them a press release about your brand story, offer yourself as a subject matter expert about a current event, and, most importantly, send them a photo and/or a video with your release. Local reporters and busy and appreciate good content with news their viewers and readers can use. Monetization Your book opens the door to unlimited earning potential. In addition to royalties from book sales, you can command larger speaking fees, you can offer coaching and courses, you can leverage it as a business card for your personal and professional brands. Once you become a published author, you are considered an expert. This enhances your credibility and leads to consulting roles and/or higher-level job opportunities. Final thoughts Your well-executed book has the potential to significantly boost your profile and your income. Enrolling in a writing program, paying for an editor, and publishing your book is an investment in your personal and professional brands and a stepping stone to diverse revenue streams. If you’re ready to write your book, please schedule a call.
How to Find the Time to Write A(nother) Book Before the Holidays
You have years of experience in your field and industry and a list of dozens of talks, webinars, and presentations on your resume. As a result, you already have plenty of content and know-how. And you know you should write a(nother) book to further cement your subject matter expertise and reach more people, but like most busy professionals, you struggle to find the time. Your existing content has already proven it converts, so you have everything you need to create a(nother) book. Your speech, webinar, presentation, or training module serves as the foundation for your manuscript, saving you significant time and effort in the writing process. With a solid structure in place, a strategic approach, and the right professional partner, your content can be turned into a manuscript without the heavy lifting of starting from scratch. Publishing your expertise and stories in book form allows you to potentially: If you’re a woman business owner or executive who’s given a number of speeches, made presentations, or conducted training sessions, writing a(nother) book should be on your radar. You can elevate your authority, increase your income, and live the life of time freedom you deserve and dream about. Don’t let the concern of not having enough time hold you back; instead, consider working with an editor as an investment that can transform your business and your life. The good news is you don’t need large blocks of time to write a book. With a strategic approach and the right professional partner, your content can be transformed into a manuscript in just about 30 days. Are you ready to talk about your book? Schedule a call.
5 Reasons Why Hiring a Professional Editor Is the Write Way to Go
Congratulations! You completed writing your book. Putting the final period on your manuscript is absolutely something to celebrate. Have you hired an editor? Before you rush into publishing to start using your book to market your products and/or services or as your lead magnet for speaking engagements, be sure you engage a professional editor. There are five reasons why editing is the most important step of your publishing journey. 1. Objective Your editor doesn’t have an emotional tie to your material. What you’ve written is YOUR story, so, of course, you feel attached, perhaps even sentimental. Your editor doesn’t share those feelings. Their only concern is making sure your book tells a complete story that is as error-free as possible, and they will make the appropriate comments and suggestions to get you there. 2. Critical eye Editors take a critical eye to your work, correcting errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. At the same time, your editor will ensure what you’ve written is aligned with your ideal reader and your intended message. Your editor should also be sure your tone and style are consistent throughout your manuscript. If you begin in a casual tone but transition to a more academic voice, your editor will flag the change and make appropriate suggestions. 3. Fresh perspective Because you’re so close to your material, it’s really hard for you to recognize areas for improvement. Your editor, on the other hand, will help improve the clarity, flow, readability, and overall structure of your book. For example, if your manuscript lacks congruency—you leave loose ends or introduce people/characters and then never mention them again—your editor will make note so you can address these issues. Ensuring the end of your book is thematically consistent with the beginning is another benefit of hiring an editor. 4. Saves time Your editor will also save time you could use to devote to other areas of your business. Instead of writing and re-writing the same chapter over and over and over and over again, you can … just … write. Your editor will catch errors and inconsistencies you would undoubtedly miss because, again, you’re too close to your own material. 5. Quality product When you spend money on anything, you expect the best quality for your dollar. You need to think about your book as a product that will land in the hands of a reader, or, your end consumer. They spent their money on your book and expect the best in return. Think of your editor as your quality assurance. Together, you’re creating a book that has the potential to change someone’s life in all the best ways, so shouldn’t it also be as error-free as possible? Final thoughts Editing also protects your brand reputation. Consider this: Would you trust doing business with someone who produced a book riddled with typos, mistakes in subject-verb agreement, and punctuation that doesn’t make sense? I’m going to guess the answer is, “No.” Hiring an editor will result in a manuscript you can confidently take to publishing and use as a tool to help grow your business.
How Editing Protects Your Brand Reputation
What if I told you that copy errors hurt your bottom line? If you want to be taken seriously, if you want people to trust that you are a subject matter expert in your industry, if you want people to pay you for your products and services, you can’t show up online with content that looks and sounds like you didn’t give it the attention it deserves. Every business owner with a website cannot afford to not work with an editor. When you wear most or all of the hats for your business, you move at the speed of light. You need to have a content marketing strategy (social media, emails, blog, etc.) at the same time you’re perfecting your sales pitch and sales funnel while you’re also tracking invoices, managing projects, and monitoring inventory if you have products. It’s a lot. If you started writing your own website copy, lead magnets, ebooks, blog posts, etc., and now you use an overseas VA for whom English is not their native language, you are almost certainly spending time proofreading their work and making necessary changes before using their work. If you’ve turned to PLR (private label rights) content, you still need to manipulate the text here and there to separate it from all the other folks who bought the same stuff. And if you’re still writing all your own copy, you definitely need a second set of eyes to check and correct punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, etc., and to make sure your tone & style are consistent with your brand voice. Instead of putting these tasks on your loooooooong list of things to do, hire an editor to prevent you from releasing content riddled with errors that hurt your brand reputation and could repel prospective clients and their money. An editor who has experience in content marketing (that’s me!) will go through your website, review your email series for that specific campaign, make corrections in your blog posts, proofread your ebook, and more. If you’re ready to make your content as error-free as humanly possible, I’d love to schedule a conversation.