Great Storytelling Leads to Memorable Interviews 

By Colleen Kay Watson

President

Career Professionals

 

The best interviewers I have ever met had one thing in common; they were great storytellers. What makes a great storyteller, is the ability to transport someone else, so they visualize your story in their minds eye. Now, I am going to tell you the secret to success in painting verbal pictures in three little words:

· Situation

· Action

· Results

Talk about a situation; tell them what actions you took; and what the results were. What could be easier! You need to just hit the high points in thirty seconds to two minutes. Think of your story as a commercial on the super bowl. You want to grab them! If you go any longer than that, they are looking at you while doing their shopping list or planning the weekend, in their head. You don't want to lose them. Good storytellers keep the attention of their audience.

All of your stories do not need happy endings. Don't be afraid to tell them about something that you tried and then failed. Frankly, if you haven't failed at something, you haven't tried to stretch your self beyond your comfort zone. We do most of our best learning through our mistakes. Also, never blame other people for your failures when you tell your stories. Conversely, do take all the credit you deserve when you have reached your personal goal.

Here are some great questions for you to practice your story telling.

1. What have you done that has generated income for your department, company, or team?

2. What have you done that has reduced costs or saved money for your department, company or team?

3. What have you done that causes you to stand out amongst your peers?

4. What have you done that has saved time or increased workflow?

5. Tell me about your most challenging - and least challenging - thing you have ever done.

6. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome major obstacles to meet a challenge.

7. Tell me about a time when you tried to do something and failed.

8. Tell me about a time when you tried to change a situation.

a. What strategy did you use?

b. How did the situation turn out?

9. Tell me about a mistake you made in dealing with people.

10. Tell me about the best and worst class you've ever taken.

11. Tell me about the last time that you made a major change.

a. Why did you do it?

b. How did it work out?

•  Tell me about yourself.

The last question takes more than 30 seconds to two minutes to answer even in the Cliff Notes version. The best way to tell that story is to first ask, “Where would you like me to start?” Then give a quick outline highlighting your accomplishments to date. You will have the outline already written in the many exciting adventures you have rehearsed for this special moment.

Colleen Kay Watson is president of Career Professionals, which helps job seekers find entry-level opportunities in Management, Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, Finance and Administrative positions

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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