In the realm of career development, your narrative is more than just a story — it strategically combines your skills, experiences and aspirations into a compelling package. Whether you’re aiming for a new job, a promotion, your first board seat, or a bold career transition, how you articulate your journey can significantly impact your success.

Kate Sargent, founder of KJS Coaching & Consulting, joined Women Leading Travel & Hospitality last month to lead an interactive workshop on framing your professional narrative in a way that resonates with company leaders, hiring managers, and recruiters.

Sargent’s extensive career includes a long stint in recruiting. She served as the global head of talent and acquisition for Allbirds from 2019-2021, and as the vice president of people operations for The Citizenry from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, she branched out on her own, starting her consulting and executive coaching business, KJS Coaching & Consulting.

In the workshop, Sargent identified a plan of action that included 10 questions to ask before you start your job search.

“Your job search is never done. Your promotion is never done — until you’re helping the people behind you or the people who haven’t gotten there yet,” she said.

Identify the Type of Move

First, Sargent said you need to identify what type of move you’re interested in making. Are you seeking a promotion? Are you trying to pivot careers? Are you seeking a lateral move, or perhaps trying to get into consulting?

“All of those are going to affect what your narrative looks like,” she said. “Having a real clear picture of what you’re dream scenario is, what you’re ‘I’m OK with it’ scenario is, and then what your dealbreakers are, is really important.”

She also suggests establishing your timeline for your new role. Is this an immediate move you want to make? Can you only make it three more months in your current job before you feel like you’re going to quit?

Prepare Your Narrative

Sargent recommends asking yourself the following questions before you move on to the second step of your plan of action:

    1. What materials do you need? (resume, cover letter, job tracker, etc.)
    2. What do you actually do for work?
    3. What is your elevator pitch?
    4. Why should someone hire or promote you?
    5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
    6. Why do you want to work in this new role?
    7. Why do you want that role?
    8. How will you apply your work to your next role?
    9. What gives you energy?
    10. Where are you spending your time?

Create a Networking Plan

Next, Sargent recommends ranking your connections. She said there’s three types of connections that are going to be useful to you in your job search:

  1. The A-Team. These are your “ride-or-die” connections; the ones that are going to be looking for you before you ask. They love you; they’re going to say the most incredible things about you. They’re your mentors, your former colleagues, your close professional allies.
  2. The Casual Crew. These are your secondary connections. They’re acquaintances, people who you may have worked with in the past that you weren’t close with. They may be less subjective about you, but they’re good for making introductions, gathering support, or offering insights. You may have to tell your story a little bit more clearly to these folks.
  3. Strategic Allies. These are the gatekeepers to your next opportunity — recruiters, HR professionals, people who have the job you want, etc. This will be more of a cold outreach.

Build a Communications Strategy

Lastly, how are you going to present yourself when you’re out there? Who are you going to present yourself to? What are you going to be presenting? What does that sound like?

Throughout this process, Sargent said you should be asking for feedback. “Receive it well and use it as part of your narrative,” she said.

Women Leading Travel & Hospitality members can watch Sargent’s full workshop on-demand now. Not a member? Apply today!