Crafting Compelling Career Stories: Be Memorable In Your Interviews
Do you feel like you are not standing out in your job interviews? Do you want to make a positive impression on your interviewer and leave them excited to hire you?
Well, look no further because storytelling is a simple and effective way to make that happen!
Without a doubt, storytelling is an essential component of a successful job interview. It allows you to share your experiences, skills, and accomplishments in a memorable and compelling way, ultimately setting you apart from other candidates.
When you tell a story that connects your past experiences and achievements, you can show the interviewer who you are and what they can do as an employee. This “connects the dots” for the interviewer so they understand your abilities and how you can solve the organization’s problems or take advantage of opportunities.
Also, telling a story can create an emotional connection with the interviewer. Suppose the interviewer can remember you because of a positive emotional connection with them. In that case, they may be more likely to recommend you for the job or advocate for them during the hiring process.
This is why you should be telling your career stories in your interviews.
What is the science around storytelling?
Humans have been telling stories to convey information and ideas for ages. Many of us read the Illiad and the Odyssey in school. The story of Odysseus is part of an oral storytelling tradition where we learn about heroism, pride, temptation, and perseverance. Through these stories, we better understand this Greek hero, more than a bunch of facts and figures.
Scientists have been studying storytelling to discover why stories are so good at sharing information and building connections.
Scientists have discovered that storytelling has a powerful effect on our brains. Hearing a story activates different brain parts and makes us remember the information better. It also helps us feel a stronger connection to the person telling the story. This is because storytelling engages our emotions and helps us think more deeply about what we are hearing.
Another important thing about storytelling is that it makes both the storyteller and listener feel like they are experiencing the same thing. This shared experience can help people better understand and empathize, creating a stronger sense of connection and community.
Finally, studies have shown that storytelling is helpful for convincing and inspiring people. A storyteller can influence the listener's beliefs, attitudes, and actions by developing a captivating storyline, making it an essential communication and persuasion tool.
What is your career story?
So how do you come up with stories about your career? And what stories are best to tell?
Here are a few ways to develop ideas for compelling career stories.
Make a list of your successes: Begin by jotting down your significant accomplishments in your work history. These could include receiving awards, getting promoted, completing successful projects, or achieving other significant goals. For example, winning an employee of the month award, leading a team to achieve a sales goal, or creating a new product that was successful in the market.
Think about what makes you stand out from other job candidates. What skills, experiences, or qualities make you the best person for the job? This could include specialized training, a unique perspective, or a particular strength.
Specialized training: A nurse practitioner with specialized training in geriatric care.
Unique perspective: A person who has lived and worked in multiple countries and cultures.
Particular strengths: A project manager who is skilled in conflict resolution.
Learning about the company's culture, values, and mission is essential when preparing for a job interview. When researching the company's culture, some things to consider include its mission statement, the types of projects they work on, its team structure, and the overall company vibe. This will help you understand the company's goals and figure out how you can contribute to its success.
Let's say you are looking for a marketing role at a company that values creativity and innovation. You can tell a story about how your creative thinking and ability to take risks align with the company's culture of valuing innovation. An example would be talking about a time when you came up with a unique campaign idea for a previous company, which resulted in a significant increase in sales or engagement.
Look for patterns in your achievements. Do you consistently rely on specific skills or strengths to achieve success? For instance, let’s say you frequently excel at creative thinking. Let’s say you are an engineer who develops a new and innovative solution to a complex problem. You might approach the problem from a different angle than others have, considering unconventional solutions or combining ideas from various fields to create a novel approach.
Try following these steps to identify the key elements of your career story.
Telling Your Career Story In Interviews
Now, let’s work on how to tell your career stories confidently. You can structure your stories in several ways to make them clear, concise, and compelling.
The STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. You begin by explaining the situation or problem you faced, the task you had to complete, the action you took to solve the problem, and the results you achieved. This method works well when discussing specific achievements or projects you have accomplished. A variation of this is CAR, Challenge, Action, Result.
Problem-Solution-Benefit method. Start by explaining the problem or challenge you faced, then describe the solution you came up with, and finally, explain the benefits or results of your solution.
The theme-based method. You find a common theme in your career experiences and achievements and tell your story based on that theme. This helps show what you are good at and what makes you unique. An example is that you are always asked to turn around poor-performing businesses.
The chronological method. You tell your career story in the order that things happened, from the earliest experiences to the most recent. This way of storytelling can be useful because it helps the interviewer understand how you've progressed in your career and what skills you've developed along the way.
Practice brings confidence
Practice sharing your career story after identifying its main elements. When practicing, ensure that you are concise and relevant to the position you are applying for. Don’t forget to back up your claims with concrete examples and data to make a lasting impression. Also, remember to keep it short. Try to keep it to under two minutes. No one wants to hear a long story.
During your practice session, you can get feedback by asking a trusted friend, mentor, or career counselor to listen to your story and provide constructive criticism. You can also record yourself telling your story and watch it back to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, you can participate in mock interviews with professionals in your field who can offer valuable feedback and insights.
You can make yourself memorable
Want to stand out in your job interviews? Identify the key elements of your career story, and structure it in an authentic and engaging way. Remember to be concise and get to the point quickly. Feel free to inject humor or emotion into your stories - it's a great way to make a lasting impression on your interviewer.
By being memorable in your interviews through storytelling, you can show potential employers why you're the perfect fit for the job.
Shelley Piedmont is a Career Coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. I help job seekers prepare for interviews. You can engage me to help you prep for any type of interview. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.