Telling Your Story Communicating the highlights of your service experience to the non-VISTA world

What are your plans? O I’m signing up for another year of national service O I’ll be going to school O I’ve got a job lined up O I’ll be looking for paid employment O I’ve got other plans O I’m not sure!

Within the next 5-10 years Do you think you are… O Likely to have interviews? Do you know… O What field you want to be in? O What kind of work you want to do? O What kind of work environment you prefer?

Reflect O What was it that drew you to national service in the first place? O What motivates you to serve?

Think, Pair, Share O Do you have an “elevator speech” that you use to explain to strangers what VISTA is, what you are doing this year and why? O Share your elevator speech with a partner! O Any particularly effective or creative explanations to share with the large group?

Reflect How has your service impacted you? What have you learned or how have you changed as a result of your VISTA experience? For example: O your own strengths or interests O professional skills & knowledge O personal skills, habits or lifestyle changes O thoughts on poverty, community, service

Think, Pair, Share O What impact has VISTA service had on you? O Share with a partner

Reflect What stands out to you about this year? O Proudest moment O A major accomplishment O A challenge O A missed opportunity O Funniest moment

Select a story O Pick an anecdote of something that happened this year that you could turn into a story for a future interview.

Reading between the lines O What might your story communicate about you as a candidate? O Hardworking? Persistent? Organized? O Resourceful? Creative? Flexible? O Passionate? Motivated? Energetic? O Self-aware? Down-to-earth? Open to learning? O Enjoyable to work with?

Write O Take a few minutes to write your story. O Try to make sure the story communicates the qualities that you want to shine through in an interview. O If you have time, write more than one!

Share O Share your story at your table O What comes through about your tablemates from the story they chose to tell?