Storytelling for the interview
Everywhere is a stage - is basically how I treated the world around me for the longest time. Looking back, I don’t think I was TOTALLY off. I would now shift that to: everywhere is a chance to tell a story.
Including the dreaded, sweaty, nasty mess that is the interview. I absolutely despise the pre-interview jitters. When it’s 5 minutes until time, every inch of me wants to send a reschedule. But know that if you feel this way, it just means you care. Some would say maybe I care too much. Hi, I am “some.”
But like anything else that causes stage fright, what always helps is preparation. Because the more you rehearse, the more comfortable you’ll feel once the bright lights switch on. And for me, it’s not just about bulleting out a list of accomplishments, memorizing my responsibilities and maybe bringing up a problem I helped fix. It’s about figuring out how I can engage with my audience I have for the next half hour in a way that will make them inevitably want more.
Cue the foundations of storytelling.
Check out key tenets of storytelling as applied to storytelling for the interview below. Thank yourself later for putting in the work now. And also get yourself a nice boba afterwards will ya (ok fine whiskey).
INTRO
(aka the easy part)
Start by giving us a foundation of where you are coming from
What was your last/current job like?
How did it make you feel?
What were your key responsibilities
PROBLEM
When did a situation arise that was unlike your day to day? - It’s important to provide contrast/tension here to show why it was significant
Be specific as to why it was a problem
CRISIS MOMENT
(the fork in the road)
While you searched for solutions, what was the moment that stakes were raised?
At what point did you have to choose between going one way or the other?
RESOLUTION
(the part where you come and save the day)
What direction did you end up choosing?
Why?
OUTCOME
(the part we often forget)
What ended up happening as a result of your decision?
How did this impact your work moving forward?
Let me know if you try this out for your next interview and how it felt!
*Remember your story isn’t going to be for everyone. Your only responsibility is to do your best.
So let’s focus on what we can do to make ourselves look like the freaking geniuses we really are.
Kick a$$ out there.
P.S. If you need a boost, I am here for you and would LOVE to help you rehearse before the big day. Email me at storypathy@gmail.com to inquire about my one on one coaching sessions.