Are you looking to stand out during your next job interview? Don’t just give answers – tell stories! Part One Job Search Interview Tips
Just like the author of a novel can leave a long-lasting impact on the reader, you too can develop this skill to leave a unique and lasting impact on the interviewer! When was the last time you read a novel and felt the string of emotions that went into the climax? Do you recall a daunting situation the character was in and do you remember what responsibilities or tasks the character embarked on? What were the results of his or her actions? Did the outcomes lead to recognition and was the character applauded for his or her hard work? These questions ask you to truly think of the impact that storytelling can have on the reader or listener. Stories are a very powerful way to express thoughts and put situations into context. Likewise, you can be the hero or heroine of your own story!
Follow along for Part One of our two-part blog – Job Search Interview Tips – Tell Your Story and be prepared for your next interview.
Good storytelling requires reflecting on your past work history and identifying important times in your career where you achieved goals, were put in unexpected situations, or overcame obstacles. By crafting your story, that brands you as the main character, you will identify your key accomplishments and achievements. No matter what question the interviewer throws at you, you will be prepared to respond using your story!
- Set Your Story: Stories usually start off with setting the scene or the plot. This is your opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the story. When you are preparing for your interview, think of setting the scene as if you were describing a scene from your favorite novel or movie. Were you at your desk having lunch and you suddenly received a phone call from an irate client who needed a problem resolved immediately? Did your boss suddenly drop a major project on your desk asking you to come up with several scenarios to retain current customers, due to the fear of a fast-growing and new competitor in the industry? Be sure the who, what, where, when and how are covered here. This will set the tone for your story. One suggestion, is to introduce the situation as a challenge to quickly get the interest of the interviewer!
- Tasks: Once you have set the scene for your story, the next step is to describe the tasks that contributed to your accomplishment. Did you have to drop everything and attend to a client right away? What were some of the constraints or challenges that made your task difficult to complete? For instance, did you have a tight deadline to meet, were there expenses or lack of resources that made your accomplishment difficult? By describing the tasks, you will demonstrate to the interviewer that you were up to any challenge and had the final goal in mind.
The point of storytelling ultimately is – do not say anything on a resume or in an interview that you cannot back up with an example or a story! This technique will result in more success during your next interview.
Next week look for Job Search Interview Tips – Tell Your Story – Part Two. We will discuss the other aspects of your story that are equally important – the Actions and Results.
