“I’ve Changed Career So Many Times. How to Present Myself?”

I’m a content writer looking to expand my freelance business. Prior to this, I worked as a photographer, martial arts instructor, and mortgage broker, among other roles. I know it sounds ridiculous and all over the place, and I’m kind of embarrassed to even tell people that this is what I’m doing now because I’ve changed my career so many times. How do I present myself to potential clients without sounding scattered and confused?

The answer, as always, is a story — literally

What I mean is that really, the only problem you have here is the lack of a story that makes sense. Luckily, without having to change any of the facts, we can retell this story in a way that not only makes sense, but makes you the most perfect candidate for what you are doing right now. Because in reality, a story can be told, untold, and retold in many different ways. Being able to construct a narrative that feels honest, accurate, and true to yourself, and being able to share that narrative with others, will provide you with clarity and confidence to forge ahead with this new venture. It’s the gift that is often called narrative therapy.

I discovered that I was using narrative therapy when a social work client used that term to describe the work we had done in a session. I didn’t know that there was a name for it, but I did know that until a client can tell a story about their past that they are comfortable sharing, they aren’t going to sound great in interviews. Even if they succeed, it will be tainted by fear of being exposed as somehow “less committed” than others. The reality is that they are hardworking people who continuously take advantage of new opportunities, and are open to constantly changing, learning, and evolving as they go. When they can see that and find a way to tell a new story that reflects their growth, they literally light up from the inside — and so does everyone they meet, because they understand exactly who they are and why they’re the best person for the job.

I don’t know the details of your story, but I’ll show you how you can come up with your own confident summary of what brought you to this point.