For more than a year, I’ve been actively seeking employment where I can stand out above the crowd, make a difference in my work, and be a part of something bigger than me. Instead I find myself stuck where I can easily be replaced, where my job isn’t all that important in the grand scheme of things, and the opportunity for advancement without an advanced degree is impossible.

Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked diligently, dedicating myself to telling captivating and engaging stories for other people because that’s what I am: I’m a storyteller. But I’m so much more than a storyteller.

I’m a leader, like it or not. I’m not one to shy away from responsibility, nor am I one to hide when things get rough. Instead, I charge right in, deciding to do something instead of sitting idle. I will be the first to make a suggestion, be it the right or wrong way to go. I will stand up and say we must take action instead of waiting. And I’ve always been a leader, regardless of the role I find myself in, even when I was a kid!

Frustration for me is reaching a fever pitch, considering three reasons: one, I am over fifty years old; two, I have no idea how to write a resume to pass the artificial intelligence filters to get an interview; and three, you aren’t supposed to send out your resume to jobs you think you are a match for, because you could send it out too frequently. And then you have companies capitalizing on these specific shortcomings. You wonder why more of these positions aren’t filled? Try finding someone qualified with even half of the qualifications and then interview them. But, oh, wait. We, the XYZ Company you’ve applied to, can’t do that because the AI says you aren’t qualified.

Qualifications include being a self-starter, highly motivated to complete tasks ahead of schedule, and gaining other people’s trust while building new relationships. But I’m too old for someone to bring me on as a new hire because I can leave and find something better. I am unemployable because I have a bachelor’s degree – not a master’s degree or even a Ph.D., but a B.S. in Public Relations, with a minor in creative writing. I have a spotty work history, at least I used to. In today’s job market, job hopping is a non-issue, especially after COVID-19 and the advent of the so-called ‘side hustle.’ Even with an exemplary driving record, zero tickets, and no moving violations, I can’t secure a job driving for Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing company. Why? I can’t manage to make my resume fit the requirements.

Instead, I’m stuck doing something that literally is sucking the life from me.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have a job, even if it doesn’t fit my career path. I’m grateful for the opportunity but I need more than a paycheck. I need to do something where my strengths stand out over and above the ability to do the job.

So, apply for another job within the company where you work. There’s your solution. Honestly, I am in complete agreement with you. That would be the ideal setup if you have an employer who would allow you to tell stories of how their organization is making a difference in their community. But, and this is the part killing me, they have no idea what the benefit would be.

If you ran an organization and someone within your company came to you and said, “I can help tell stories for you, and here’s one way I can help,” how would you react?

I can tell you the reaction I hear most frequently is, “That’s great, but that helps me how?”

Stories drive traffic to your website. They create a connection with your target audience. Telling a personal story about a grandma who saved a dog’s life and, in turn, the dog kept her alive and comfortable for fifteen more years is worth telling. So is talking about an alcoholic in recovery because of caring nurses at a facility geared to help people suffering from substance abuse. What about the young boy who decided to save every nickel to buy a homeless man a cheeseburger? Is that a story worth telling?

Why would we pay you when we can do that ourselves?

Then I would ask, what is your story? Do you know what it is? Or are you too close to it to see it? Are you so entrenched in your own bureaucracy that you cannot see what the founders had in mind? Is the story lost on you?  

The scary part is those questions force leaders to take a long, hard look at their staff and their own ideologies and see if anything is broken. Is it too hard to look in the mirror and see the distortions, recognizing that you should do something instead of staying comfortable?  

The crazy part of all of this is my history. Do you know what I can do? Here are the highlights: a communications leader with over 17 years of experience enhancing brand recognition through strategic narrative development and innovative storytelling. In the simplest terms, I can take raw data and create a powerful, moving story with all the elements, providing a story you can use for years and years.

Stories are changing how the world interacts with your organization, business, or personal life. Instead of trying to do stories on your own, hire the right person to combine all those seemingly miscellaneous pieces of data, weaving them into a story that will last a lifetime!

If you want to impact your target audience, hire a storyteller to capture the elements of your business or organization.

You may be surprised at the end result!

Joe III, a seasoned Communications Leader with over 17 years of experience, adeptly enhances brand recognition through strategic narrative development and innovative storytelling. His ability to transform complex information into captivating content resonates with audiences, significantly boosting brand visibility. Joe’s commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail sets new standards in the communications landscape.

Joe III is ready to help you tell your story.