Storytelling is the key to winning the interview.
It makes us feel connected.
At the same time, it's the best way to convey your skills.
(You can grab my storytelling tips here:
https://lnkd.in/e9PJCeVT)
But most of us aren't great at it.
The good news is that like any skill, storytelling can be learned.
When I begin speaking about framing experiences into stories, many of my clients balk.
"Oh, I'm not good at that."
"I always get tripped up"
"I lose track and forget what I wanted to say."
The key is to prepare impactful stories well in advance, then:
➞ Record what you've written on video
➞ Watch the video (Ouch! Do it anyway)
➞ Catch the awkward moments
➞ Tweak your story to sound like you speak
➞ Repeat until you're satisfied
➞ Save the best versions and listen regularly
This isn't memorizing.
This is KNOWING your own stories.
This is become FLUENT in your own language.
Here's how to structure each story:
1. State your role, clearly.
➤ Not the team's. Not the project's. What you did, decided, or changed.
2. Start in the middle.
➤ Not at the beginning. Open with the moment of tension or decision. Context can come second.
3. Tell one story only.
➤ Focus on one outcome, and the specific skills and traits you used to achieve it.
4. Specificity is credibility.
➤ "A major client" is forgettable. Details, including the client, industry and data supporting the outcome grab attention.
5. Include others.
➤ Share who you worked with, how you navigated the relationships, what you learned from them.
6. Include moments of uncertainty.
Explain how you figured something out in real time so they understand your process.
7. Name the obstacle, not just the outcome.
➤ A story without friction is doesn't engage. What made this hard?
8. End with a real reflection.
➤ "What I learned" is weak. "How it changed how I approach X" is more impactful.
9. The emotional truth counts.
➤ What did it cost you? What did it feel like when it worked? Professionalism doesn't mean emotionally flat.
10. Match the story to the room.
➤ A networking conversation wants a shorter, more personal version than a behavioral interview. Same story, different depth.
Working on your storytelling skills is a career investment.
Practice and you will see a dramatic improvement.
Both in your communication and in your confidence.
You can download the tips here:
https://lnkd.in/e9PJCeVT
♻️ Repost for others who want to improve their storytelling.
🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for career advice and job search tips.
It makes us feel connected.
At the same time, it's the best way to convey your skills.
(You can grab my storytelling tips here:
https://lnkd.in/e9PJCeVT)
But most of us aren't great at it.
The good news is that like any skill, storytelling can be learned.
When I begin speaking about framing experiences into stories, many of my clients balk.
"Oh, I'm not good at that."
"I always get tripped up"
"I lose track and forget what I wanted to say."
The key is to prepare impactful stories well in advance, then:
➞ Record what you've written on video
➞ Watch the video (Ouch! Do it anyway)
➞ Catch the awkward moments
➞ Tweak your story to sound like you speak
➞ Repeat until you're satisfied
➞ Save the best versions and listen regularly
This isn't memorizing.
This is KNOWING your own stories.
This is become FLUENT in your own language.
Here's how to structure each story:
1. State your role, clearly.
➤ Not the team's. Not the project's. What you did, decided, or changed.
2. Start in the middle.
➤ Not at the beginning. Open with the moment of tension or decision. Context can come second.
3. Tell one story only.
➤ Focus on one outcome, and the specific skills and traits you used to achieve it.
4. Specificity is credibility.
➤ "A major client" is forgettable. Details, including the client, industry and data supporting the outcome grab attention.
5. Include others.
➤ Share who you worked with, how you navigated the relationships, what you learned from them.
6. Include moments of uncertainty.
Explain how you figured something out in real time so they understand your process.
7. Name the obstacle, not just the outcome.
➤ A story without friction is doesn't engage. What made this hard?
8. End with a real reflection.
➤ "What I learned" is weak. "How it changed how I approach X" is more impactful.
9. The emotional truth counts.
➤ What did it cost you? What did it feel like when it worked? Professionalism doesn't mean emotionally flat.
10. Match the story to the room.
➤ A networking conversation wants a shorter, more personal version than a behavioral interview. Same story, different depth.
Working on your storytelling skills is a career investment.
Practice and you will see a dramatic improvement.
Both in your communication and in your confidence.
You can download the tips here:
https://lnkd.in/e9PJCeVT
♻️ Repost for others who want to improve their storytelling.
🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for career advice and job search tips.
