Elevating Your Narrative for Career Success

What if your past didn't define your future, but rather empowered it? Join me as I share my journey from overcoming the stigma of a criminal history to achieving success after clearing my record. In this heartfelt episode, I open up about the challenges of addressing employment gaps and how backward planning helped me turn obstacles into stepping stones. Discover how owning your story with purpose and crafting a compelling narrative can transform your chances with potential employers. Whether you're confronting similar challenges or simply seeking personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights into harnessing your strengths and skills through reflection and resilience.

We'll explore the art of honesty and transparency in job applications, and the significance of presentation when explaining employment gaps. I'll share practical strategies for approaching companies where you might lack certain skills, emphasizing the importance of researching their training opportunities. This episode is more than just a guide; it's an invitation to join a community dedicated to growth, learning, and embracing new beginnings. Whether you're starting afresh or aiming for the next level in your career, this discussion is filled with the knowledge and encouragement to propel you forward.

Transcript

Sterling D. Brown: 0:00

Welcome back, wonderful listeners. Before we jump into today's enlightening episode, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support. Your presence here means the world to me as we navigate the path toward redemption and personal growth together. If you believe in the mission of Struggle to Success podcast and want to see it flourish, I invite you to subscribe. Your subscription not only helps us grow our community, but it also brings us closer to the dream of producing video content and hosting our shows from a downtown studio right here in Lancaster, pa. The more you engage and subscribe, the quicker we can make this vision a reality. Plus, your support allows us to continue providing valuable insight and fostering a supportive environment for those seeking to overcome past challenges. So hit that subscribe button, share this podcast with your friends who might benefit, and let's build a community where everyone can grow, learn and thrive together. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. All right, let's dive into today's episode finding new job opportunities. Specifically, we'll touch on explaining any gaps or points in your timeline. When you're filling out an application or submitting your resume, you often come across sections asking about your skills and strengths. For most resumes, you're already listing them out for potential employers. I'll use myself as an example.

Sterling D. Brown: 1:23

Once I received the news that my record had been expunged, I took one step further and verified it through the Pennsylvania State Police website, where I pulled a personal report of myself. It was an instant and showed no records. As I stared at my screen, I thought deeply about where my future was headed. At that time I was already working in a school district and, with my record cleared, I had the options of pursuing greater accomplishments. But there was a few challenges. First, because of my stints of incarceration, I had gaps in my work history. Second, should I be upfront and transparent about my past? And third, if I chose to explain it, how would I script it? Yes, I said script it. To my credit, I had already earned a degree in education, so I used a technique called backward planning, where you start with a goal and plan your steps in reverse. This method helps you double check yourself as you move backward but ultimately forward.

Sterling D. Brown: 2:18

Identifying your strengths and skills is a crucial step at this stage. Think about tasks you've had to learn or challenges you've had to overcome. That's your skill set. If you've adopted and figured out things from the jump, that's your strength. One of my strengths comes from dealing with the stigma of a criminal history and being qualified and being told no time and time again.

Sterling D. Brown: 2:40

Thinking back, while in college, when I bombed a few exams, I refused to accept it. I would go back and ask questions, work the process and ask more questions, collaborating with groups and learning how to solve bigger problems. In doing so, I developed people skills and communication skills that helped me get the job done. This relentless drive kept me going, pushing through the tough times and even harder during the easier ones. It taught me how to stay calm and articulate even in the most uncomfortable situations. As the saying goes, a closed mouth doesn't get fed, and that's real. As for my second decision, being fully transparent was a no-brainer. Being honest not only felt right, but it also spoke volumes about my journey and where I was headed.

Sterling D. Brown: 3:26

Now the third question is about scripting my story, and this is for my young homies and maybe a few grown men like myself. Presentation is everything from how you dressed to the first and last words that come out of your mouth. Think back to when I spoke about the day I went to the hearing for my pardon and the other candidates were fumbling with their words. That's why I stated earlier, you have to have a mental script ready. For example, if an employer asks you to explain a gap in your employment, you can respond with yes. During that time, I was reflecting on and learning from the consequences of my past actions. That experience shaped who I am today and I'm now ready to contribute and grow in a positive direction. That's a response that has energy, meaning and reflection, not oh, I was locked up. Own your story with purpose. On the other hand, if you're trying to land a career with a particular company and you don't have the necessary skill set, do your homework. Make sure they offer training in that area. That way, you're prepared to say I apply for this position because I believe this career aligns with my goals. I'm confident that the training you offer will allow me to learn and excel. Notice I said career, not job. A career carries more weight and implies growth.

Sterling D. Brown: 4:43

Now let's talk about the resume and cover letter. Resumes stand out, but some employers have different views. Keep it to a one-paragraph action statement on your resume. You can convey everything you need in one paragraph. No need for a letter to change that. Lastly, references this can be challenging, but write down 10 people whom you are in daily contact with and just ask if they would be willing to speak positively on your behalf. Key is you want your employer to see that you're communicating with people who are respected in the community. Well, that's all for now. Wonderful people, stay positive and remember that finding a job can take time, but persistence will pay off. Life is full of trials. Stay focused, keep pushing and trust that the struggle is part of your success. Until next time, remember life is trials. Stay focused.

: 5:35

Thanks for checking out this episode of Struggle to Success. To connect with the show, you can email us at struggletosuccessp at gmailcom. Make sure you like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And remember life is trials, Stay focused.