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Career Narratives with Doug Lester

Career Narratives with Doug Lester

Written by: Doug Lester
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About this listen

Craft a work-life narrative with meaning. Present as a more compelling candidate to the decision-makers who hold the keys to your career advancement. In episodes short enough for busy schedules, Doug Lester offers perspective based on more than a decade of coaching ambitious MBAs and professionals transitioning up and into leadership roles.

Doug is a Wharton MBA with experience as a Fortune 100 hiring manager. He was a senior recruiter at a top executive search firm and pulls back the curtain on networking, interviewing and recruiting. A coach to alumni and students at the Harvard Business School for over 10 years, the leader of an executive coaching program for the corporate strategy group of a Fortune 100 company, and the founder of Career Narratives. Doug has personally helped over 1,000 people gain clarity, craft their stories, and advance their careers.

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© 2026 Career Narratives with Doug Lester Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • 38: Don't Feel Guilty About Networking for Your Career

    38: Don't Feel Guilty About Networking for Your Career
    Apr 6 2026

    Have you ever worried that you'll be 'bothering people' when you think about networking for a job or your career? You're not alone. Most people do, and so did host Doug Lester when he started networking professionally as an executive recruiter. But he got over his guilt. In this episode, Doug shares a surprising insight from his recruiting days that completely changed how he thought about networking.

    🎧 Take control of your narrative and advance your career — subscribe to the podcast!

    🤔 Need a thought partner with experience as a Fortune 100 hiring manager, an executive recruiter at a top firm, and a coach at Harvard Business School? Schedule a Career Strategy Session with Doug

    ❎ Avoid making 3 common mistakes with executive recruiters

    📸 Improve your executive presence on Zoom
    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • 37: If Your Job Search Is Taking Too Long, Stop Trusting Your Gut

    37: If Your Job Search Is Taking Too Long, Stop Trusting Your Gut
    Oct 3 2025

    If your job search is taking too long and you’re a mid or senior-level leader, your gut may be telling you it’s time to broaden your appeal. To have a more general and therefore more appealing positioning. Don’t do it! Host Doug Lester explains, from a recruiter’s perspective, why broadening your positioning could be a big mistake.

    👓 Read the original post on Substack

    👉 Visit Craft Your Narrative on Substack

    🎧 Take control of your narrative and advance your career — subscribe to the podcast!

    🤔 Need a thought partner with experience as a Fortune 100 hiring manager, an executive recruiter at a top firm, and a coach at Harvard Business School? Schedule a Career Strategy Session with Doug

    ❎ Avoid making 3 common mistakes with executive recruiters

    📸 Improve your executive presence on Zoom
    Show More Show Less
    9 mins
  • 36: Your LinkedIn Headline May Be Riskier Than You Think

    36: Your LinkedIn Headline May Be Riskier Than You Think
    Sep 19 2025

    Is your LinkedIn headline your job title and company name? If so, you're taking a big risk. Host Doug Lester shares why, based on his experience as a Fortune 100 hiring manager, an executive recruiter and a coach to more than a thousand MBA alumni. And he offers an alternative approach that more effectively communicates your personal narrative.

    🤓 Read the original Substack post

    🎙️ Episode 8: Tips for a LinkedIn Headline That Communicates Your Narrative

    🎙️ Episode 9: How to Write an Effective LinkedIn About Entry

    🎙️ Episode 10: How to Write LinkedIn Experience Entries That Support Your Narrative

    🎧 Take control of your narrative and advance your career — subscribe to the podcast!

    🤔 Need a thought partner with experience as a Fortune 100 hiring manager, an executive recruiter at a top firm, and a coach at Harvard Business School? Schedule a Career Strategy Session with Doug

    ❎ Avoid making 3 common mistakes with executive recruiters

    📸 Improve your executive presence on Zoom
    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
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